Chimney flue camera inspection: what it is and when you need one
When the draught fails or cracks are suspected, an inspection camera is the only way to see what is really going on inside the flue. Here is how it works and when it is recommended.
Camera inspection is the most reliable tool for diagnosing problems in flues that cannot be seen from the fireplace opening. It is especially useful in second-hand homes, chimneys with a history of damp, or when there is a loss of draught with no apparent cause.
What a camera flue inspection is
A flue inspection camera is essentially a miniature camera on a flexible cable that is fed inside the flue. The image is sent live to a screen, which makes it possible to see the condition of the inner walls in detail: cracks, deposits, damp, nests or any other problem.
It is a technology already used routinely in plumbing and pipe inspection, and it has adapted perfectly to chimney sweeping for cases that need a more precise diagnosis than a standard visual check.
When a camera inspection is recommended
Not every chimney check needs a camera. For most annual sweeps, the technician can assess the flue visually from the top and from the fireplace opening. There are situations, though, where the camera is the only way to know for certain what is going on.
- A second-hand house with no records: if you have just bought a house and do not know when the chimney was last swept, a camera inspection gives a clear picture of the flue's real condition before you light it.
- Persistent loss of draught: if the draught has gradually got worse and a standard sweep does not improve it, there may be a crack or a deformation in the flue that only a camera will reveal.
- Damp on walls or dark stains: damp patches near the flue can point to cracks through which rainwater or condensation is seeping into the wall.
- Flues with bends or changes of direction: in corner chimneys or complex runs, the camera is the only way to check the sections that cannot be seen.
- Chimneys over 20-25 years old: beyond a certain age, especially with refractory brick or fibre-cement flues, a full inspection is a good idea to spot structural deterioration.
How the inspection is carried out
The technician feeds the camera in through the chimney pot (the top of the flue) or through the fireplace opening, depending on the design and access. The camera travels the whole length of the flue while the technician watches the images on screen and records any anomaly.
The process requires no building work or dismantling. In most cases it is done as part of the annual service, just before or after the flue is swept.
What can be found
The things most often found with a camera are: compact second- or third-stage creosote deposits (the hardest to remove with a brush), cracks in the joints between flue sections, corrosion in metal flues, damp collecting at the bottom of the liner and, in spring, bird or insect nests that can partly block the passage.
Spotting any of these in time prevents bigger problems: from poor performance to more serious safety issues such as carbon monoxide escaping through the cracks.
Frequently asked questions about camera inspections
What is the camera used for in a chimney?
To see the real condition inside the flue: cracks, deposits, damp, nests. It is the most precise diagnosis and is recommended when there are symptoms the technician cannot settle by eye.
When is a camera inspection necessary?
In second-hand houses with no records, persistent loss of draught, damp patches, complex flues with bends, or chimneys over 20 years old.
Does the inspection involve building work?
No. The camera goes in from the top or through the fireplace opening. Nothing needs dismantling and no building work is involved.
Can it be included in the annual service?
Yes. We often do it as part of the assessment before sweeping, especially on first visits or when there are specific symptoms to look into.
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