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.
HeatShield Chimney Inspection in Fort Worth: What to Know First
HeatShield chimney inspection in Fort Worth typically runs $189 to $349 depending on the level of inspection your flue needs, and most inspections are completed the same day we arrive. We are an independent HeatShield service provider, not a manufacturer-authorized shop, which means we carry genuine HeatShield Cerfractory materials and also work with DuraFlex and Gelco when a different liner system makes more sense for your chimney. If you own a HeatShield liner and want to know exactly what condition it’s in, call (682) 255-2144 and we’ll get you a written price before any tool comes off the truck.
This page is for Fort Worth homeowners with a HeatShield liner who need a chimney inspection, a real estate agent ordering a Level 2 before closing, or anyone who’s been told their HeatShield system needs work and wants a second opinion in plain language.
How HeatShield Products Fail – and How We Fix Them
HeatShield systems fail differently than stainless liners, and a generic chimney inspection will miss the signs. Here are the five issues we see most often in Fort Worth homes:
- Cerfractory delamination at flue liner seams. HeatShield’s Cerfractory material is a refractory mortar that bonds to the old clay tile. After years of Fort Worth’s hot summers, the tile expands and contracts, and the Cerfractory seam can separate from the substrate. Symptom: fine sandy grit collecting at the base of the flue. Fix: we remove the loose material, re-key the surface, and apply a matched Cerfractory patch.
- Spalling at the smoke chamber. The HeatShield CeCure and HeatShield Ultra systems both extend into the smoke chamber, but this area takes direct heat first. If the original parging underneath is weak, the Cerfractory coating will spall off in sheets. Symptom: thumbnail-sized chips falling into the firebox. Fix: we rebuild the parge layer with chamber-rated material, then reapply the HeatShield coating.
- Crack propagation through the original clay tile. HeatShield is only as good as the clay tile it’s bonded to. If a Fort Worth home has clay tiles that already cracked from a chimney fire or freeze-thaw cycling, the HeatShield will mirror those cracks. Symptom: hairline fissures visible on video inspection that follow the underlying tile pattern. Fix: we knock out the loose tile, install a proper substrate, and recoat with Cerfractory.
- Improper application from a previous contractor. Not every installer gets the thickness spec right. HeatShield requires specific mil thickness for fire rating. We’ve seen Fort Worth jobs where the coating was applied too thin, and it’s failing within five years. Symptom: visible pinholes and thin spots on camera. Fix: we grind back, reapply to manufacturer spec, and document the thickness with the video footage.
- Water intrusion around the crown and cap. This isn’t the HeatShield itself failing, it’s what water does when it sits on Cerfractory. The material is not waterproof. Symptom: efflorescence (white mineral staining) on the flue walls. Fix: we repair the crown, install a proper rain cap, and seal any exterior cracks so the liner stays dry.
Here’s what matters: we will not tell you a HeatShield liner is failing unless the camera footage shows it. You’ll see the recording yourself, and we’ll point to the exact footage, second by second.
Styles & brands we work with
Our HeatShield Chimney Inspection Process
Every HeatShield inspection we do in Fort Worth follows the same steps. Nothing skipped, nothing added unless it’s warranted.
- 1
We arrive in a marked truck, uniformed, with a printed confirmation of the job scope. You know who we are before we step onto your property.
- 2
We set drop cloths and run a camera sweep of the flue from top to bottom. This includes the smoke chamber, the damper, and the firebox.
- 3
We sit down with you and watch the footage together. What the camera sees is what you see.
- 4
We classify findings by NFPA 211 levels: Level 1 (routine), Level 2 (real estate or system change), Level 3 (structural concern). If a Level 3 is suggested, we explain exactly why and what it costs before anyone starts.
- 5
If HeatShield repair is needed, we price it in writing using genuine Cerfractory materials. We don’t substitute brands and we don’t pad the material list.
- 6
After the work, we do a final camera sweep and show you the result. Then we leave the area cleaner than we found it.
Every repair we perform carries the 365-Day Done Right Promise in writing. If a covered repair fails within one full year, we come back at no charge.
See the difference
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After
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AfterWhat HeatShield Chimney Inspection Costs in Fort Worth
Straight answer on pricing, because we don’t make you call to learn the ballpark:
- Level 1 inspection (routine, no known issues): $189 to $249. Common for a yearly check.
- Level 2 camera inspection (real estate transaction, new appliance, or suspected damage): $299 to $349. This includes the full video and a written report.
- Level 3 inspection (structural concern, chimney fire, or liner failure suspected): $349 to $599 depending on what needs to be opened up for access.
- HeatShield Cerfractory repair: $1,200 to $3,800 depending on liner height, smoke chamber condition, and how much surface prep is required. A full reline runs higher.
What moves the price: roof pitch, flue height, the condition of the original clay tile underneath, and whether the smoke chamber needs structural rebuild before recoat. You get a written price before we start. No exceptions. Call (682) 255-2144 for a free estimate.
Why Fort Worth Homeowners Call Flint Chimney Co Fort Worth for HeatShield Work
Fort Worth is full of chimney companies. We know most of them. The difference with our shop, Hank Delano’s crew, is that we operate under The Garrison Code and The Garrison Standard: documented scope on paper, written price in hand, and a full-year guarantee on the work. If we say the HeatShield liner is compromised, you will see the evidence. If we say it can wait, that’s what we’ll say, even if repair work would make us more money. We service HeatShield, DuraFlex, and Gelco systems, and we don’t play favorites among brands. The best liner for the job is the one that’s right for the job.
Since 2002, Flint Chimney Co Fort Worth has been part of the Garrison Partners family of independently owned chimney service companies. We’ve inspected and repaired HeatShield systems across the Fairmount Historic District, Ryan Place, and the neighborhoods along the Trinity. If it is not clean and it is not safe, we are not done.
HeatShield Chimney Inspection FAQs
No. A standard Level 1 or Level 2 camera inspection does not void a HeatShield warranty. In fact, HeatShield typically requires inspection documentation to maintain coverage, and our video report satisfies that record-keeping. The thing that voids warranties is an unqualified contractor altering the liner with non-spec materials, which is why we use genuine Cerfractory and document every application thickness.
Yes, in many cases. If the Cerfractory is delaminating in a localized area and the original clay tile is structurally sound, we can grind back, re-key, and recoat just the affected section. If the tile underneath has collapsed or the firebox smoke chamber is shifted, a full reline may be the honest answer. We’ll show you the footage and explain the trade-off before anyone picks up a trowel. Call (682) 255-2144 and we’ll tell you what applies to your flue.
Most Level 1 and Level 2 inspections in Fort Worth are done same-week, and many are done same-day depending on the time of year. A live person answers the phone 24/7, so when you call you’ll get a real human, not a voicemail tree waiting until Monday.
CeCure is the lighter-weight Cerfractory formulation designed for chimneys that need moderate thermal resistance, while Ultra is the higher-density system spec’d for heavier use and more extreme temperature cycling. A camera inspection tells us which one your home has and whether it was applied at the correct thickness. Most Fort Worth homeowners never know which system they have until we show them the documented application on screen.
For homes that burn frequently and want to protect the original masonry from fire risk, yes. Cerfractory coating adds fire resistance and seals gaps that let smoke escape into the home. But we will not sell you a liner you don’t need. If your clay tile is intact and your home passes a Level 1 inspection cleanly, we’ll tell you a coating isn’t necessary this year.
Written by Hank Delano, Owner, Flint Chimney Co Fort Worth at Flint Chimney Co Fort Worth, serving Fort Worth and nearby areas.