CCTV Surveys
CCTV Surveys
A chimney can look perfectly fine from the fireplace, but that only tells you so much about what is happening inside it. A CCTV chimney survey is a camera inspection of the accessible parts of your flue. We feed a camera into the chimney and show you what we find.
We’ll talk you through the footage at the appointment, explain anything that concerns us and give you a copy to keep. If part of the flue cannot be inspected, we’ll tell you.
We normally sweep the chimney before using the camera so soot and loose debris don’t obscure the view. The sweep and survey take place at the same appointment, with sweeping charged separately. If your chimney has been swept recently, let us know when you book.
Request a CCTV chimney survey
Tell us what you’ve noticed, what type of fireplace or appliance you have and when the chimney was last swept, if you know. We’ll advise on the appointment and send you our availability.
When is a CCTV chimney survey useful?
A survey can help us investigate:
- A chimney fire: to look for visible damage in the parts of the flue the camera can reach.
- An insurer’s request: to provide footage of the accessible flue.
- Fallen brick or masonry: to look for where it may have come from and whether other visible areas need attention.
- A property purchase: to take a closer look at a chimney where a potential problem has been raised.
- A suspected obstruction: to locate and identify what the camera can reach.
If you’re unsure whether a camera survey would help, tell us what has happened. We can advise you on the next step when you get in touch.
What happens at the appointment?
We usually start by sweeping the chimney. Soot and loose debris can hide details inside the flue, and the camera may stir up more material as it moves. Sweeping first gives us a clearer view.
We then feed the camera into the accessible flue and look at the footage with you. We’ll point out anything relevant to the concern you’ve raised and explain what we can see. If a bend or obstruction prevents the camera from reaching an area, we’ll tell you.
The survey is carried out from the fireplace or another suitable access point. We don’t need to go onto the roof.
What do you receive?
We’ll talk you through what the camera shows and give you a copy of the footage. If we see something that needs attention, we’ll explain the concern and advise whether a repair or further investigation is needed.
Can the camera investigate an obstruction?
If we can access the flue, we can feed the camera towards a suspected obstruction to help locate it and see what it may be. We may not be able to inspect beyond it.
If the fireplace has been bricked up or otherwise closed off and there is no suitable access to the flue, we cannot carry out the survey. We also cannot survey a chimney while it contains an active bird nest.
Request a CCTV chimney survey
Tell us what you’ve noticed, what type of fireplace or appliance you have and when the chimney was last swept, if you know. We’ll advise on the appointment and send you our availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is a chimney sweep included in the survey?
Sweeping is charged separately. When a sweep is needed, we normally carry it out before the survey at the same appointment.
Can you survey a chimney after a chimney fire?
A CCTV survey can help us look for visible damage in the parts of the flue the camera can reach. Do not use the chimney again until it has been appropriately assessed and you have been advised that it is safe to do so.
Will the survey satisfy my home insurer?
That depends on what your insurer has asked for. We provide a copy of the footage and explain our findings at the appointment, but the CCTV survey does not include a written report. Please check your insurer’s requirements before booking.
Can you survey a chimney if the fireplace has been bricked up?
Only if there is another suitable access point. If we cannot access the flue, we cannot carry out the survey.