CCTV Chimney Inspections & Smoke Tests
You can only see so much from the fireplace or the roof. Our camera survey shows the inside of the whole flue, and a smoke test proves the chimney draws properly and doesn't leak into the house. Rated 5.0 from 95 Google reviews.
See what's really going on inside your flue
A CCTV chimney inspection is a camera survey of the whole flue, from the fireplace or stove up to the pot. It shows cracks, gaps in the liner, blockages and damage you can't see from the fireplace or the roof. You get photos and a clear explanation of what we found.
We are Adele and Sian, sisters and HETAS-certified sweeps, and we carry out every chimney survey ourselves. Every sweep we do ends with a smoke test to check the chimney draws properly and doesn't leak into the house. When you need to know the condition of the flue itself, we add the camera. If the survey turns up a problem, we explain it in plain English and quote for any chimney repairs before anything is done.
What the camera finds
These are the problems a CCTV chimney inspection picks up that you won't spot by looking up the chimney with a torch.
Cracks in clay liners
Older chimneys are often lined with clay sections. These can crack or split over time, or the joints between them can open up. From below everything can look fine, but the camera shows each section clearly.
Gaps or damage in steel liners
If your stove runs into a flexible steel liner, we check it along its length for splits, holes, kinks and loose joints. A damaged liner needs sorting before the stove is used again.
Blockages and nests
Bird nests, fallen debris, soot falls and broken pieces of pot or liner can all sit out of sight in the flue. The camera shows exactly where a blockage is and how much of the flue it is closing off.
Heavy tar and creosote
Shiny, glazed tar on the inside of the flue is hard to shift with a brush and can catch fire. The survey shows how much there is and where, so we can tell you what it needs.
Damage after a chimney fire
A chimney fire can crack liners and loosen joints even if it was over quickly. If you've had one, or think you might have, the camera shows whether the flue is still safe to use. See the signs of a chimney fire.
Smoke escaping where it shouldn't
If smoke is getting out through a damaged section of flue, it can turn up in other rooms, upstairs or in the loft. The smoke test shows whether there's a leak and the camera helps us find where it is.
When to book a chimney inspection
If any of these apply to you, it's worth having the flue checked with a camera before you light the fire. Not sure? Read our guide to the signs of a chimney blockage.
- Before buying a house with a fireplace or stove
- Before reopening a fireplace that's been boarded up
- After a chimney fire, or if you suspect you've had one
- Before a new stove is fitted into an old chimney
- A smell of smoke in other rooms or upstairs
- A smoke test that has failed
- Damp or staining on the chimney breast
- An old house where nobody knows the chimney's history
How a chimney survey works
Here's what happens when we come out to inspect your chimney. We use dust sheets and an industrial vacuum throughout, so your room is left clean.
We sweep the flue first
The camera needs a clean flue to see anything useful. Soot and tar hide cracks and gaps, so we sweep the chimney before the survey.
We run the camera top to bottom
We feed the camera up through the whole flue and check the liner, the joints and the pot, taking photos of anything that needs attention.
We carry out a smoke test
We check the chimney draws properly and that smoke isn't escaping into the room, other rooms or the loft.
You get photos and a plain-English report
We show you what we found, explain what it means and tell you the next steps. If something needs fixing, we give you a quote first.
Smoke test or CCTV? A smoke test proves the flue draws and doesn't leak at the time of the test. A CCTV survey shows the condition of the liner. They answer different questions, which is why we often do both. Read more in CCTV chimney inspection explained and our guide to CCTV chimney surveys for period homes.
In our customers’ own words
Real reviews from homeowners we have swept for.
“Done the job and left the rooms spotless. You wouldn’t have known they’d been to clean our open fire and multi fuel stove.”
Steve R.
“Very professional, friendly, knowledgeable and made absolutely no mess.”
Nina W.
“The log burner is performing better than it ever did.”
John E.
“Checked my CO2 alarm, tightened the door handle on my burner and cleaned it all.”
Sally M.
“I was shocked at how much came out of my chimney yet my house was left all clean and tidy.”
Jackie D.
“Arrived early. Cleaning chimney and wood burner. Quick, clean, efficient and friendly.”
Jon K.
5.0 from 95 Google reviews
Here is what homeowners across Essex and Hertfordshire say about Sweep Sisters.
Chimney inspection prices
The camera survey is added to a sweep, so the flue is clean, checked and tested in one visit.
Standard chimney or stove sweep
From £95Full sweep, visual inspection, smoke test, clean-up and a sweeping certificate.
CCTV flue inspection
From £75Added to a sweep. A camera survey of the whole flue, with photos of anything that needs attention.
Sweep and CCTV together
From £170The best starting point for a new home, or a flue that hasn't been used for a while.
Repairs
QuotedIf the survey finds a problem, we explain it and quote before any work starts. See our chimney repairs page.
Prices are for a single flue. No hidden call-out fees. See all our chimney services, our cowls and bird guards, or read our chimney sweep cost guide for Essex & Hertfordshire.
Where we work
We cover most of Essex and Hertfordshire. Not sure about your postcode? Send us a message.
Essex
- Chimney sweep Essex
- Chelmsford
- Brentwood
- Harlow
- Epping
- Hutton
- Loughton
- Theydon Bois
- Ongar
- Roydon
- Hatfield Heath
- Dunmow
- Stansted
- Newport
Hertfordshire
- Chimney sweep Hertfordshire
- Hertford
- St Albans
- Bishop’s Stortford
- Sawbridgeworth
- Little Hadham
- Saffron Walden
- Eastwick
- Hunsdon
Chimney inspection questions
What is a CCTV chimney inspection?
It's a camera survey of the inside of your flue. We sweep the chimney first, then run a camera through the whole flue to check the liner, joints and pot. It shows cracks, gaps, blockages and damage you can't see from the fireplace or the roof.
What is a chimney smoke test?
A smoke test checks that your chimney draws properly and that smoke isn't leaking out where it shouldn't, such as into other rooms or the loft. Every sweep we do ends with one. It tells you how the flue is performing on the day, but it doesn't show the condition of the liner, which is what the camera is for.
Do I need a chimney inspection before buying a house?
If the house has a fireplace or stove you plan to use, it's worth it. You often don't know when the chimney was last swept or what state the liner is in. A sweep and CCTV survey before you move in tells you whether it's safe to use or needs work.
How long does a chimney inspection take?
It depends on the chimney and what we find. The sweep comes first, then the camera survey and smoke test. We'll give you an idea of timings when you book.
Will I get photos and a report?
Yes. We take photos of anything that needs attention and talk you through what we found in plain English, along with what we recommend doing next.
What happens if you find damage?
We show you the photos, explain the problem and tell you whether the chimney is safe to use in the meantime. If it needs fixing, we give you a quote before any work starts. Nothing is done without you agreeing to it first.
Chimney advice from Sweep Sisters
Guides, prices and seasonal tips, pulled live from our blog.
Book a chimney inspection
Tell us your town, what you burn and when suits you, and we will confirm a date and price.
- Phone0330 133 2121
- Areas coveredEssex and Hertfordshire
- HoursMon–Sun 8am–6pm · 24/7 emergency cover
Prefer to talk? Call 0330 133 2121 or email contact@sweepsisters.co.uk.