Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Trusted Chimney Inspection for Minneapolis Homeowners
A chimney inspection in Minneapolis answers one question before you burn another fire: is this flue safe to use, and if not, what exactly is wrong with it? We inspect before we recommend, and we show you the evidence – camera images of the flue interior, photos of the crown and cap – so the decision is yours to make and not ours to sell. Our technicians have up to 12 years of experience, work with professional-grade brands like HeatShield and Copperfield, and align every inspection with NFPA 211 standards, the benchmark buyers and insurers reference at closing. Whether you’ve just bought a house in Minneapolis and want a baseline, or your last sweep flagged something you couldn’t see, call us at (844) 834-2087. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday.
Fireplace Inspection
A Fireplace Inspection looks at the firebox, damper, smoke chamber and the components you actually see and touch during a fire, plus the hidden clearances behind them. You need one when a fireplace has sat unused through a few seasons, when smoke rolls into the room instead of up the flue, or when you’ve moved into a home and have no record of the last check. Northwind Chimney Sweep runs the inspection as a diagnostic step, not a sales visit: we photograph what we find, explain what it means for how the fireplace burns, and let you decide the timeline. A fireplace inspection in Minneapolis typically runs $125 to $275 depending on how much of the assembly we have to open up to see. Our technicians have up to 12 years of experience reading the difference between cosmetic soot and a cracked firebox panel.
What a Firebox Check Covers
We examine the firebox walls, the damper plate and its pivot, the smoke shelf and the lintel for cracks, warping and gaps in the mortar joints. A firebox crack matters because it’s a path for heat and gases to reach framing that was never designed for either. Any repair we quote comes after you’ve seen the photo, not before.
Gas and Wood Fireplaces Differ
A wood-burning fireplace is judged on draft, creosote and masonry condition. A gas unit is judged on the logs, burner and venting, and its flue still needs a visual check even though it never sees woodsmoke. We inspect both, and we don’t apply wood-burning assumptions to a gas unit.
Styles & brands we work with
- Sweep & inspection
- Caps & crowns
- Flue relining
- Masonry repair
- Gas fireplace service
Chimney Inspection Services
Chimney Inspection Services cover the full assembly, from the firebox up through the flue, crown, cap and exterior masonry, and they’re what you book when you want a complete picture rather than one component looked at. They’re needed at a home purchase, after a chimney fire or a lightning strike, and whenever a previous sweep gave you a verbal warning with no documentation. Northwind Chimney Sweep works with a curated roster of professional-grade materials – DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco and Copperfield – which means we inspect with the products in mind that any repair would actually use. Chimney Inspection Services in Minneapolis typically cost $125 to $350, with a Level 2 inspection at the upper end. You get a written report and photo evidence, and we say plainly when something can safely wait a year.
What the Written Report Contains
You get the flue condition, crown and cap condition, exterior masonry notes and photos of anything we flag, along with a clear statement of what’s urgent and what isn’t. Insurance companies and buyers can read it without a translator. The report is yours to keep whether or not you hire us for the repair.
When a Visual Check Is Enough
A basic visual inspection suits a home with a known maintenance history where nothing has changed since the last visit. If there’s been a fire, a flue change, a new appliance or a sale, you need more than that. We’ll tell you which one you actually need rather than defaulting to the larger job.
Chimney Flue Inspection
A Chimney Flue Inspection is a look at the inside of the flue itself: the liner, the joints between liner sections, the insulation around it and the termination at the top. You need one whenever there’s a question about what the flue is made of, whether the liner has gaps, or whether an appliance is venting into a flue sized for something else. This is the inspection that finds the problems a firebox check can’t reach. At Northwind Chimney Sweep we inspect the flue before recommending any liner work, and where resurfacing suits the condition we use HeatShield ceramic technology instead of a full replacement. A flue inspection in Minneapolis typically costs $150 to $300, and a flue that only needs resurfacing is a very different bill from one that needs relining. Call (844) 834-2087 for an estimate.
Liner Material and Condition
Clay tile, stainless steel and cast-in-place liners all fail differently, and the inspection has to identify which one you have before anything else is said. We check for cracked tiles, open joints, corrosion on steel and separation at the top plate. A gap of a fraction of an inch is enough to matter when flue gases are moving through it.
Draft and Sizing Problems
A flue that’s too large for the appliance runs cold and drafts poorly; one that’s too small backs smoke into the room. We assess the flue against the appliance it serves rather than against a general standard. Famco and Gelco termination and draft components come into play here when a fix is needed.
Chimney Fire
A Chimney Fire is a fire burning inside the flue itself, usually fed by creosote that has built up on the liner walls, and it’s the reason an inspection matters more than a cleaning. You need an inspection after any suspected chimney fire, because the heat can crack tiles and warp a metal liner in ways that aren’t visible from the firebox. Even a small, short-lived fire can leave damage that only shows on camera. Northwind Chimney Sweep inspects the flue after a fire event, documents the condition, and explains whether the liner can be restored with HeatShield resurfacing or needs replacement. A post-fire inspection in Minneapolis typically runs $150 to $350 depending on access and how much of the flue needs imaging. If you’ve had a fire in the flue, stop using the fireplace until it’s been inspected. Call (844) 834-2087.
Signs a Flue Fire Happened
Puffy, honeycombed creosote, discolored or warped metal, cracked tiles and a strong burnt smell that lingers are all signals worth taking seriously. Neighbors may have seen sparks or heard a low roar from the roof. Any of these means the flue needs to be looked at before the next fire.
Why the Camera Matters Here
Heat damage often hides behind a bend or above a smoke chamber shelf where a flashlight can’t reach. A camera inspection shows the cracked section directly instead of inferring it. That’s the difference between repairing one area and replacing a liner on suspicion.
Level 2 Chimney Inspection
A Level 2 Chimney Inspection is the standard inspection for a home sale, an appliance change or any event that may have damaged the chimney, and it covers every accessible part of the system plus the flue interior by camera. It’s the level real estate transactions and insurance companies ask for, and it’s the one that produces documentation rather than a verbal opinion. Northwind Chimney Sweep aligns Level 2 work with NFPA 211 standards so the report stands up at closing. A Level 2 chimney inspection in Minneapolis typically costs $250 to $350, and it includes a camera scan of the flue, a look at the attic and crawl space clearances where accessible, and photos throughout. If you’re buying or selling in Minneapolis, book it before the closing date, not after. Call (844) 834-2087.
What Makes It Level 2
Level 2 goes beyond what’s visible from the hearth or the roof: it includes the accessible portions of the chimney in attics, crawl spaces and basements, and video scanning of the flue. It also covers connected appliances and their venting. That scope is what makes it the benchmark for a transaction.
Documentation for Buyers and Insurers
The report has to be readable by someone who wasn’t there, which means photos of each defect with a plain description of what it means. Nothing gets recommended without camera evidence attached. That structure is what keeps a repair conversation honest between a seller and a buyer.
Chimney Leak
A Chimney Leak is water getting into the chimney system, and it usually enters at the crown, the flashing where the roof meets the chimney, or the cap rather than through the masonry face. You need it investigated when you see staining on the ceiling near the chimney, damp creosote, rust on a damper or a white powdery bloom on exterior brick. Left alone, water breaks down mortar and freezes inside the masonry through a Minneapolis winter, which widens cracks season after season. Northwind Chimney Sweep finds the entry point before proposing a repair, using photos of the crown, flashing and cap so you can see the source yourself. A leak inspection in Minneapolis typically runs $150 to $300, and the repair estimate is separate and written. Call (844) 834-2087 to book one.
Finding the Actual Entry Point
Water travels, so the stain on the ceiling is rarely directly under the gap that let it in. We work from the top down: crown first, then flashing, then cap and spark arrestor, then masonry joints. Identifying the entry point is the whole job.
Crown, Cap and Flashing Repairs
A cracked crown gets rebuilt or sealed depending on how far the damage reaches. Flashing gets reset or replaced where the seal has failed. Gelco and Copperfield caps and components are part of the product lineup we work with, so a leak repair closes the gap rather than covering it.
Chimney Camera Inspection
A Chimney Camera Inspection is a video scan of the flue interior using a camera fed down from the top, and it’s how we verify what’s actually inside a liner instead of guessing from the outside. You need one any time a repair is being proposed, after a flue fire, at a home purchase, or when a previous inspection produced a warning with nothing to back it up. The camera shows cracked tiles, gaps at joints, heavy creosote glazing and offsets that a visual check from the firebox simply cannot reach. A chimney camera inspection in Minneapolis typically costs $150 to $300, and footage of the problem is included with the report you keep. Nothing gets recommended without camera evidence you can see for yourself. Book one at (844) 834-2087.
How the Scan Works
We run a camera on a flexible rod down the flue from the top and record the full length, noting the depth of each defect. The recording is reviewed with you rather than summarized after the fact. It’s a diagnostic, not a formality.
What the Footage Reveals
Cracked tile, separated joints, spalling and corrosion all show clearly on camera, and so does the difference between creosote that needs sweeping and glazed creosote that needs more. Seeing it changes the conversation about cost. It also tells us whether HeatShield resurfacing or relining is the right call.
Brands We Service
We work with a curated roster of professional-grade chimney brands rather than hardware-store substitutes, and that matters when an inspection turns into a repair decision. DuraFlex flexible liner systems are specified on commercial and historic restoration work as well as residential relining, and we know how those liners sit and wear once installed. HeatShield ceramic resurfacing is a repair path we use to extend liner life without a full replacement, which keeps a marginal flue in service for far less disruption than tearing it out.
Gelco and Famco cover caps, draft components and venting, the parts most sweeps treat as an afterthought rather than part of the system. Copperfield and Olympia Chimney round out the lineup where a full reline or a termination upgrade is the right solution. We inspect with those products in mind, so the recommendation you get is one we can actually deliver. Whether you have DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Copperfield, Olympia Chimney, Famco or any other make, we can help.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterSigns You Need a Pro Right Now
- Smoke backing into the room. A fireplace that puffs smoke instead of drafting upward usually has a blockage, a sizing problem or a damaged flue. It’s a sign the system isn’t moving gases where they need to go, and it’s worth stopping use until it’s inspected.
- A strong burnt smell that won’t clear. Creosote and soot carry odor, and a smell that lingers through the off-season often means buildup or moisture in the flue. It’s a low-cost inspection now versus a liner conversation later.
- Water stains near the chimney. Brown rings on the ceiling or damp patches on the masonry point to a leak at the crown, flashing or cap. Water and freeze-thaw cycles do steady damage to masonry, so the sooner the entry point is found the smaller the repair.
- White powdery bloom on exterior brick. That chalky staining signals moisture moving through the masonry and drying at the surface. It’s a visible signal that the chimney is taking on water somewhere above.
- A home purchase or a change of appliance. A new house or a new stove means the flue’s history is unknown, and a Level 2 inspection is what buyers, sellers and insurers ask for. It’s the inspection that documents condition for everyone involved.
Our Process, Step by Step
- 1
We talk through the history first. What you burn, how often, when the fireplace was last used and what prompted the call. That conversation narrows what we’re looking for before anyone goes on the roof.
- 2
We inspect the accessible system. Firebox, damper, smoke chamber, flue, crown, cap and exterior masonry, plus attic and crawl space clearances where they can be reached. Photos are taken at each stage.
- 3
We run the camera. A video scan of the flue interior records the full length and shows any cracks, gaps or heavy deposits at the depth they occur. You see the footage, not just a summary of it.
- 4
We explain what we found, in plain terms. What’s urgent, what can wait, and what each option actually involves. If a repair isn’t needed yet, we say so.
- 5
You get a written estimate and the report. The price is set per job by that written estimate, with no surprises added afterward. One team handles the inspection and any repair that follows.
How Much Does Chimney Inspection Cost in Minneapolis?
A chimney inspection in Minneapolis typically runs $125 to $350 depending on the level of inspection and how much of the system needs imaging. A basic visual inspection sits at the lower end. A Level 2 inspection with a camera scan, attic and crawl space access and a written report for a sale or an insurer sits at the upper end.
Broken out by scenario:
- Basic visual inspection: $125-$200, suited to a home with a known maintenance history.
- Fireplace inspection: $125-$275, covering the firebox, damper, smoke chamber and visible clearances.
- Flue or camera inspection: $150-$300, with recorded footage of the liner interior.
- Level 2 inspection: $250-$350, the documentation standard for a home sale or appliance change.
- Leak inspection: $150-$300, tracing the entry point at crown, flashing or cap.
What moves the price: the level of inspection, roof access and pitch, whether attic or crawl space access is needed, and whether the flue has offsets the camera has to work around. How to avoid overpaying is simple – ask what level of inspection you’re getting and why, and ask to see the camera footage before agreeing to any repair. Nothing should be recommended on a verbal description alone.
Our estimate is free and the price is set per job by the written estimate. If a repair can safely wait a season, we’ll tell you that too. Call (844) 834-2087 for an exact quote.
Our Service Area Near Minneapolis
We inspect chimneys across Minneapolis and the surrounding west-metro communities, including Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Robbinsdale, Crystal, New Hope, Hopkins, Edina, Richfield, Roseville, Columbia Heights and Brooklyn Center. Homes here tend to be older masonry chimneys with clay tile liners, which makes camera inspection especially useful. Book ahead of the heating season and the turnaround is straightforward. Call (844) 834-2087 to schedule.
Serving Minneapolis, MN – Our Local Coverage Area
We serve Minneapolis and nearby communities. Use the map below to see the area we cover. If you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chimney Inspection in Minneapolis
A chimney inspection is an examination of the full chimney system – firebox, damper, flue, crown, cap and exterior masonry – to confirm it’s safe to use and to document its condition. It’s diagnostic, not a cleaning, though the two are often booked together. We photograph what we find and hand you the report. Call (844) 834-2087 for an exact quote.
Most inspections take 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the level and roof access. A basic visual check is on the shorter end. A Level 2 with a camera scan and attic access takes longer. Call (844) 834-2087 to book a time.
A chimney inspection in Minneapolis typically costs $125 to $350, with a Level 2 inspection at the upper end of that range. The level you need, roof access and whether camera imaging is included all affect it. The written estimate sets the final price, and estimates are free. Call (844) 834-2087 for an exact quote.
Yes. We work with DuraFlex flexible liner systems and HeatShield ceramic resurfacing, along with Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco and Copperfield products. That means an inspection can lead directly into the right repair without a handoff to another contractor. If your liner needs restoration rather than replacement, we’ll show you the footage and explain both paths.
Same-day inspection is often possible when you call early. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday. We’re closed Saturday. A call outside dispatch hours is booked into the next opening.
Repair work is backed by a satisfaction guarantee, and the written estimate spells out exactly what’s covered before any work begins. We don’t quote a warranty term we can’t stand behind. Ask at booking and it’s on the paperwork.
Clear the hearth area, move anything fragile away from the fireplace, and make sure we can reach the attic or crawl space access if the inspection includes it. Don’t burn a fire for at least 24 hours before the visit so the flue is cool and the camera gets a clean read. Have any past inspection reports or receipts on hand if you have them. Call (844) 834-2087 with questions before the visit.
Schedule Your Chimney Inspection Service in Minneapolis Today
Book your chimney inspection with Northwind Chimney Sweep and get a straight answer on whether your flue is safe to burn, backed by camera evidence and a written report. We inspect before we recommend, and we tell you when work can safely wait. Call (844) 834-2087. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday. Estimates are free and there’s no obligation. Related work includes chimney sweep and chimney repair.
Written by the team at Northwind Chimney Sweep.