Chimney Champions is a Jacksonville, FL chimney service company staffed by CSIA certified technicians who are members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild and trained annually through CSIA, CVC Coaching, and All Star Relining. Chimney Champions holds IAC2 certification and operates in compliance with NFPA 211.
What Is the Chim-Scan Flue Inspection System?
The Chim-Scan is a professional video inspection system designed to show the interior condition of a flue that cannot be seen during a visual-only inspection. Chimney Champions uses the Chim-Scan during chimney inspections in Jacksonville to locate damage, blockages, and deterioration inside the flue liner.
How Does the Chim-Scan Work?
The version of the Chim-Scan used by Chimney Champions carries two camera assemblies that work together to cover the full interior of the flue. One camera points upward to detect blockages. A second assembly, called the lighthouse camera, rotates 360 degrees and provides a live view of the flue walls as the system travels through the chimney.
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What Can the Chim-Scan Find?
The Chim-Scan reveals hidden conditions inside a flue that a standard visual inspection cannot reach. Common findings include cracks in the flue liner, mortar joint deterioration, and obstructions such as debris or animal nests. Identifying these conditions before a fire is used is an important part of a thorough chimney inspection.
Why Hidden Defects Matter
A flue liner that appears intact from the firebox opening can still carry cracks or gaps that allow heat and combustion gases to transfer to surrounding structure. The Chim-Scan lighthouse camera makes those areas visible in real time, giving the technician and the homeowner a direct record of what is inside the flue.
Who Performs Chim-Scan Inspections at Chimney Champions?
Chim-Scan inspections in Jacksonville are performed by CSIA certified technicians at Chimney Champions. Technicians train annually through CSIA, CVC Coaching, and All Star Relining. Chimney Champions is also a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild and complies with NFPA 211.
In a Typical Chim-Scan Inspection
In a typical case, a Jacksonville homeowner schedules an inspection after noticing reduced draft from a wood-burning fireplace. The Chimney Champions technician sets up the Chim-Scan system at the firebox opening and runs the dual-camera assembly up through the flue. The upward-facing camera confirms the flue cap is clear of blockage. The lighthouse camera, rotating 360 degrees as it rises, identifies a crack in the terra cotta liner tiles in the middle section of the flue. Without the Chim-Scan, that crack would remain hidden behind a section of liner that looks intact from below. The technician records the footage so the homeowner can see exactly where the damage is and what repair is needed before the fireplace is used again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Chim-Scan the same as a Level 2 chimney inspection?
A Level 2 chimney inspection, as defined by NFPA 211, requires internal scanning of the flue. The Chim-Scan system is the tool Chimney Champions uses to meet that requirement in Jacksonville, which is the standard for a property transfer inspection. The inspection level and the camera tool are separate things: one is a standard, the other is the equipment used to satisfy it.
Do CSIA certified technicians use video equipment for every inspection?
CSIA certification defines the knowledge and standards a technician must meet, but the inspection level determines whether video scanning is required. Chimney Champions uses the Chim-Scan when an internal view of the flue is needed to complete a thorough inspection.
Can I see the Chim-Scan footage after my inspection?
Chimney Champions records the Chim-Scan footage during the inspection. Ask the technician at the time of the appointment if you would like to review the footage or receive a copy.
To schedule a Chim-Scan inspection in Jacksonville, call Chimney Champions at (904) 268-7200 or book online.
