First cold night of the season. You've just moved in. The fireplace is right there, perfectly framed by the architect, begging to be used. Don't.

Not yet. Here's how to know whether you need an inspection before you light your first Bay Area fire.

You bought the house less than 12 months ago

This is the big one. Any chimney that has changed hands should get a Level 1 visual inspection before first use — that's the CSIA recommendation, and it's what the home-inspection industry overwhelmingly agrees on. The previous owner can tell you the chimney is "fine," but unless they handed you a sweep report from the past 12 months, they are guessing.

The damper is stuck, stiff, or doesn't fully open

A damper that won't fully open or close has usually rusted in place, jammed on debris, or corroded from moisture. All three are a sign that water is getting into the flue — which means the cap is compromised or missing. Don't burn until the damper operates cleanly.

You see glazed, shiny deposits inside the firebox

That's Level 3 creosote — the worst kind, hardened and glassy. It can't be brushed off. It's also the type most likely to cause a chimney fire. If you see it, do not use the fireplace. Our Level 2 camera inspection + cleaning package uses chemical treatment for glazed creosote; it's a $749 service but it's the only way to make the chimney safe again.

There's white staining on the exterior bricks

That's efflorescence — mineral salts leaching through the brick because water is penetrating the structure. The cap is almost certainly damaged or missing. Water damage compounds. A $199 cap install today is cheaper than a $4,000 crown rebuild three years from now.

What a camera scope actually shows

Our Level 2 service runs an LED camera the full length of your flue. On the tablet, you see:

  • Concealed cracks in clay liner tiles (invisible from the firebox)
  • Separation between liner sections
  • Bird nests, squirrel nests, and debris blockages
  • Spalling (crumbling) of the flue interior
  • The actual extent and type of creosote buildup

None of this is visible from the bottom looking up. It's the difference between "trust me" and "here's the video."

Book a chimney sweep + Level 1 inspection at $169 — online — or Level 2 camera inspection + sweep at $749 if you don't have documentation. Either way, do it before you light anything.