The Fireplace and Chimney Inspection that is provided to you is primarily visual and limited to aspects of safety that are mostly not concealed from view.

Our company also incorporates a method of testing chimneys for structural stability that includes a "push test".  This test involves placing our hands upon the chimney and exerting approximately 60 lbs of lateral force on the chimney at a distance of approximately 4 feet above the roofline.  This amount of force is less than one fifth of the force that a typical masonry chimney  built to the minimum standards of the Uniform Building Code is expected to withstand without damage.  This push test is not sufficient to damage a compliant masonry chimney and is primarily used to assist in detecting chimney damage at the roof, which can be concealed from view by the metal flashings.  Damage in this area may  be extremely hazardous both from the affects of fire and structural failure. Codes requiring chimneys to be constructed with reinforcing steel were adopted by most jurisdictions in 1969 and chimneys built after this time are presumed to meet these minimum requirements.  The same push test is used to expose existing damage to masonry chimneys built prior to 1969.  Significant loss of strength may occur in the mortar due to age, lack of reinforcing steel and grout, and poor quality control of mortar mixes. These items may contribute to the structural damage of a chimney thus, it is unreasonable to consider that the minimal lateral force in the push test will cause damage to a sound masonry chimney.

In order for a chimney to be considered "safe for use", it is expected to withstand the forces of a chimney fire or code level earthquake. If the push results in any visual damage to the chimney it will be considered unsafe for use and so noted in our report.

Care will also be taken not to damage any portion of a fireplace during the inspection, however, our company will not accept any responsibility for damage to the fireplace or chimney that may occur using the above prescribed method of inspection.