Fireplace Inspections When Buying or Selling a Home in Temecula: What You Need to Know
Whether you’re buying a home in Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, or Canyon Lake, or you’re getting ready to sell one, the fireplace is one of those things that often gets overlooked until it becomes a problem. And when it shows up in a home inspection, it can sometimes turn into a deal killer.
We’ve seen this play out from both sides. A seller lists their home, thinking the fireplace is in good shape. A buyer comes along, brings in an inspector, and suddenly there are cracks in the panels, a missing cap, or creosote packed into the flue. The buyer either wants thousands off the price or walks away entirely.
Let’s break it down from both perspectives.
If You’re Selling a Home with a Fireplace
Just because you haven’t used the fireplace in a while doesn’t mean it’s safe. Damage can happen over time whether you’re lighting fires or not. Chimney caps rust out. Flashing pulls away from the roof. Moisture seeps in and ruins the flue liner. And in many homes, the fireplace has never been properly inspected. Jim Bobs Chimney Service from the 90s was almost certainly not performing inspections that would meet the standard of the industry (we know because we were here in the 90s).
Buyers today are doing their homework. Their inspectors are looking for:
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Cracked firebox panels
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Damaged or missing chimney caps
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Soot staining or backdraft signs
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Improper clearance or venting
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Creosote buildup
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Water intrusion around the chase or flashing
If something like this shows up in the report during escrow, it usually leads to repair requests or price negotiations. Sometimes the deal falls through completely.
Getting a proper chimney inspection before you list helps you get ahead of these issues. It shows buyers that you’ve taken care of the home, and it gives your agent more confidence when marketing the property. In addition to all of this, it’s also a National requirement, per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 211.
If You’re Buying a Home in the Temecula Area
Never assume the fireplace is safe just because it looks good. We’ve inspected plenty of fireplaces that appeared clean but had major problems hiding inside. This is especially true in homes with older fireplaces that haven’t been touched in years.
Common issues we find in Temecula, Canyon Lake, and Menifee include:
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Rusted chase covers
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Cracked or deteriorated flue tiles
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Creosote buildup
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Missing spark arrestors
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Improper installation from the original build
You don’t want to inherit someone else’s neglected fireplace. Ask if the home has had a recent level 2 chimney inspection. If it hasn’t, you should schedule one before closing. It’s one of the most important things to check before committing to a property. It breaks my heart when someone tells me they bought a home because it had a fireplace, only for them to find out it is non-operable due to it’s condition. When caught during escrow, chimney problems can be addressed and full knowledge of it’s condition can be known.
What a NACHI-Certified Home Inspector Will Look At:
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Firebox and hearth for visible cracks or damage
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Fireplace lintel (the support above the opening)
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Damper (they’ll check if it opens and closes)
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Cleanout door (if present)
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Type of fireplace (masonry, prefab, insert, etc.)
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Whether smoke and CO detectors are present in the same room
What They Are NOT Required To Look At:
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The inside of the flue or chimney
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Creosote buildup
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Chimney cap, chase cover, or flashing
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Attic or roof sections of the chimney
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Gas lines, gas valves, or pilot lights
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Whether the fireplace is actually safe to use
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If a chimney sweep or repairs are needed
At Advanced Chimney Cleaning, we go well beyond what a general home inspector looks at. Here’s what we cover:
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Condition of the flue and whether it’s safe to use. We use small, high resolution cameras to capture these details in areas that are concealed.
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Structural integrity of the firebox and smoke chamber
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Damper operation
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The condition of the cap, chase cover, and flashing
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Signs of water intrusion or creosote buildup
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Whether the unit still meets code and manufacturer standards
You’ll also get a full photo report with clear explanations of what we found and what needs attention.
Final Thoughts
If you’re selling, an inspection can help you avoid surprises and keep your asking price strong. If you’re buying, it helps you make sure you’re not walking into costly fireplace repairs. Either way, a proper chimney inspection is one of the easiest ways to protect your investment.
If you’re in Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, or Canyon Lake areas, give us a call!
Contact Advanced Chimney Cleaning, Inc. at 951-698-8676 or visit www.AdvancedChimneyCleaning.com to schedule your inspection today.