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Outdoor Chimney Inspection Checklist
20 defects found on chimneys by outdoor inspection
- POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about chimney structural or safety inspections performed from outside
Chimney inspection checklist for outdoors:
This article provides a detailed chimney inspection checklist for use when inspecting a building chimney from outdoors. Chimney inspections made outdoors may be from the ground, from a ladder, or from the rooftop. Keep in mind that rooftop chimney defects and hazards are often not visible from ground level.
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Detailed Outside Chimney Inspection 20-Item Checklist
Here is a chimney inspection checklist built from multiple contributors.
Contact Us if you have corrections or additions for this chimney inspection checklist.
Watch out: no checklist can be complete, and you should never rely only on a checklist to perform a building inspection.
A checklist is useful to help avoid forgetting certain key steps, but it is always possible that other defects are present that are not on your checklist.
Readers of this outdoor chimney inspection checklist should be sure to review the illustrated chimney defect and inspection procedures at CHIMNEY INSPECTION from GROUNDCHIMNEY INSPECTION at ROOFTOP.
These articles on chimneys and chimney safety provide detailed suggestions describing how to perform a thorough visual inspection of chimneys for safety and other defects. Chimney inspection methods and chimney repair methods are also discussed.
We list these observations in a order (not the only possible order) that might be followed by a visual inspection beginning outdoors and continuing indoors throughout the building, basement to attic, and including appliances or devices that vent through a chimney.
Outside Chimney Defect Observations to Note & Report
| Chimney Inspection Checklist - Outdoor Observations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item # | 20 Chimney Concern / Defects observed outdoors © Copyright 2017 InspectApedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman. |
Comments |
Building ID & Location: __________________________________________ Date & Time: _________________________________________________ Inspector: ____________________________________________________ |
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| 1 | Chimney movement: leaning, settling, bending, breaking, cracks, separation from the building, bad footing; | |
| 2 | Chimney height: too short, inadequate clearance above roof; | CHIMNEY HEIGHT & CLEARANCE CODE |
| 3 | Chimney height too tall without bracing; | |
| 4 | Chimney exterior cracked, spalled, loose masonry components (bricks, blocks) or loose, missing mortar | |
| 5 | Chimney leaks: water leaking into the chimney interior or structure, such as efflorescence, frost cracking, spalling | |
| 6 | Chimney cap missing, chimney cap not draining; wrong type of cap for flue type or items being vented | |
| 7 | Chimney crown cracked, damaged, missing, leaking, or not properly sloped to drain off of the chimney top; no drip edge over chimney sides | |
| 8 | Chimney crown (or cap in some parlance) missing capillary break between top crown and masonry chimney body (frost damage) | CHIMNEY SHROUDS |
| 9 | Chimney flues, multiple, terminating at same height at chimney top - masonry chimneys |
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| 10 | Chimney flues, multiple, terminating adjacent to one another at different heights - metal chimneys & flues | |
| 11 | Chimney flue extender of metal, rusted, leaky, damaged | |
| 12 | Chimney flue incomplete, not extending through entire chimney height | |
| 13 | Chimney flues cracked, broken, spalled clay flue tile liners visible at chimney top or inside the flue | |
| 14 | Chimney flue improperly constructed - masonry flue, concrete omitted or concrete extending into the flue between masonry tiles; expansion space not left between clay liner and masonry chimney | |
| 15 | Chimney flue blocked, visible from chimney top: insect nests, birds nests, rodents, leaves, debris, falling masonry fragments, bricks, stones | |
| 16 | Creosote or soot build-up: need cleaning, fire hazard, indications of improper oil-fired heating system operation | |
| 17 | Chimney flashing improperly installed, missing, missing counter flashing, holes, leaks | |
| 18 | Metal flue not rated for application - wrong flue type | |
| 19 | Metal flue sections loose | |
| 20 | Metal flue sections connected in wrong order (water leaks) | |
| Notes: | ||
...
Continue reading at CHIMNEY INSPECTION INDOORS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.
Or see these
Recommended Articles
- CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR - home
- CHIMNEY FLUE INSPECTION CAMERA
- CHIMNEY INSPECTION CHECKLIST
- CHIMNEY INSPECTION, FLUE INTERIOR
- CHIMNEY INSPECTION from GROUND
- CHIMNEY INSPECTION INDOORS
- CHIMNEY INSPECTION OUTDOORS
- CHIMNEY INSPECTION at ROOFTOP
- CHIMNEY TOP MASONRY DAMAGE
- INACCESSIBLE CONNECTIONS FIREPLACE, WOODSTOVE
- UNLINED FLUE INSPECTIONS
- CHIMNEY SHROUDS
Suggested citation for this web page
CHIMNEY INSPECTION OUTDOORS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.
Or see this
INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to CHIMNEYS & FLUES
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Citations & References
In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.
- NFPA 211 - Standards for Chimneys & Fireplaces, NFPA 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, 2006 Edition (older editions and standards are found at the same bookstore)
- NFPA #211-3.1 1988 - Specific to chimneys, fireplaces, vents and solid fuel burning appliances.
- NFPA # 54-7.1 1992 - Specific to venting of equipment with fan-assisted combustion systems.
- GAMA - Gas Appliance Manufacturers' Association has prepared venting tables for Category I draft hood equipped central furnaces as well as fan-assisted combustion system central furnaces.
- National Fuel Gas Code, an American National Standard, 4th ed. 1988 (newer edition is available) Secretariats, American Gas Association (AGA), 1515 Wilson Blvd., Arlington VA22209, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Batterymarch Park, Quincy MA 02269. ANSI Z223.1-1988 - NFPA 54-1988. WARNING: be sure to check clearances and other safety guidelines in the latest edition of these standards.
- Fire Inspector Guidebook, A Correlation of Fire Safety Requirements Contained in the 1987 BOCA National Codes, (newer edition available), Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA), Country Club HIlls, IL 60478 312-799-2300 4th ed. Note: this document is reissued every four years. Be sure to obtain the latest edition.
- Uniform Mechanical Code - UMC 1991, Sec 913 (a.) Masonry Chimneys, refers to Chapters 23, 29, and 37 of the Building Code.
- New York 1984 Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, Article 10, Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Requirements
- New York 1979 Uniform Fire Prevention & Building Code, The "requirement" for 8" of solid masonry OR for use of a flue liner was listed in the One and Two Family Dwelling Code for New York, in 1979, in Chapter 9, Chimneys and Fireplaces, New York 1979 Building and Fire Prevention Code:
- "Top Ten Chimney (and related) Problems Encountered by One Chimney Sweep," Hudson Valley ASHI education seminar, 3 January 2000, contributed by Bob Hansen, ASHI
- Chimney Inspection Checklist, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, Ontario
- "Rooftop View Turns to Darkness," Martine Costello, Josh Kovner, New Haven Register, 12 May 1992 p. 11: Catherine Murphy was sunning on a building roof when a chimney collapsed; she fell into and was trapped inside the chimney until rescued by emergency workers.
- "Chimneys and Vents," Mark J. Reinmiller, P.E., ASHI Technical Journal, Vol. 1 No. 2 July 1991 p. 34-38.
- "Chimney Inspection Procedures & Codes," Donald V. Cohen was to be published in the first volume of the 1994 ASHI Technical Journal by D. Friedman, then editor/publisher of that publication. The production of the ASHI Technical Journal and future editions was cancelled by ASHI President Patrick Porzio. Some of the content of Mr. Cohen's original submission has been included in this more complete chimney inspection article: CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR . Copies of earlier editions of the ASHI Technical Journal are available from ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
- Natural Gas Weekly Update: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/ngw/ngupdate.asp Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government
- US Energy Administration: Electrical Energy Costs http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelelectric.html
- Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
- Ceramic Roofware, Hans Van Lemmen, Shire Library, 2008, ISBN-13: 978-0747805694 - Brick chimneys, chimney-pots and roof and ridge tiles have been a feature of the roofs of a wide range of buildings since the late Middle Ages. In the first instance this ceramic roofware was functional - to make the roof weatherproof and to provide an outlet for smoke - but it could also be very decorative. The practical and ornamental aspects of ceramic roofware can still be seen throughout Britain, particularly on buildings of the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Not only do these often have ornate chimneys and roof tiles but they may also feature ornamental sculptures or highly decorative gable ends. This book charts the history of ceramic roofware from the Middle Ages to the present day, highlighting both practical and decorative applications, and giving information about manufacturers and on the styles and techniques of production and decoration. Hans van Lemmen is an established author on the history of tiles and has lectured on the subject in Britain and elsewhere. He is founder member and presently publications editor of the British Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society.
- Chimney Inspection Checklist, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, Ontario
- Chimney & Stack Inspection Guidelines, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2003 - These guidelines address the inspection of chimneys and stacks. Each guideline assists owners in determining what level of inspection is appropriate to a particular chimney and provides common criteria so that all parties involved have a clear understanding of the scope of the inspection and the end product required. Each chimney or stack is a unique structure, subject to both aggressive operating and natural environments, and degradation over time. Such degradation may be managed via a prudent inspection program followed by maintenance work on any equipment or structure determined to be in need of attention. Sample inspection report specifications, sample field inspection data forms, and an example of a developed plan of a concrete chimney are included in the guidelines. This book provides a valuable guidance tool for chimney and stack inspections and also offers a set of references for these particular inspections.
- Fireplaces, a Practical Design Guide, Jane Gitlin
- Fireplaces, Friend or Foe, Robert D. Mayo
- NFPA 211 - Standards for Chimneys & Fireplaces, NFPA 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, 2006 Edition (older editions and standards are found at the same bookstore)
- Principles of Home Inspection: Chimneys & Wood Heating, in (Principles of Home Inspection), Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, Ontario
- U.S. vs. Canadian Unlined Masonry Chimney Flue Requirements & Case Study
- NFPA 211 - 3-1.10 - Relining guide for chimneys
- NFPA 211 - 3-2 - Construction of Masonry Chimneys
- NFPA 211 - 3-3 - Termination Height for chimneys
- NFPA 211 - 3-4 - Clearance from Combustible Material
- NFPA 54 - 7-1 - Venting of Equipment into chimneys
- Brick Institute of America - Flashing Chimneys
Brick Institute of America - Proper Chimney Crowns
Brick Institute of America - Moisture Resistance of Brick - American Gas Association - New Vent Sizing Tables
- Chimney Safety Institute of America - Chimney Fires: Causes, Effects, Evaluation
- National Chimney Sweep Guild - Yellow Pages of Suppliers
- In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested
CONTINUE READING or RECOMMENDED ARTICLES.
- Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Tel: (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 Email: info@carsondunlop.com. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The HOME REFERENCE BOOK - the Encyclopedia of Homes and to use illustrations from The ILLUSTRATED HOME .
Carson Dunlop Associates provides extensive home inspection education and report writing material. In gratitude we provide links to tsome Carson Dunlop Associates products and services.
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