Certified Chimney Inspections for Safer, Healthier Homes
A chimney can look perfectly fine from the outside while hiding serious problems inside. With more than 15 years of hands-on experience serving Northeast Ohio, our certified technicians perform detailed chimney inspections that follow NFPA 211 safety standards and Ohio building codes.
Full coverage protection
Certified professionals
Serving our community
100% commitment to quality
Homeowner Education
Homes in Akron and Summit County face unique chimney challenges due to Ohio’s climate and aging housing stock. Many chimneys in the area were built decades ago and have never been properly inspected or updated.
Creosote is highly flammable and builds up with every fire you burn.
A silent killer that can enter your home through cracks or blockages.
Moisture causes mold, rot, and structural deterioration.
Ohio winters cause trapped moisture to expand and crack masonry.
Early detection saves thousands in emergency repair costs.
Even if you rarely use your fireplace, chimney systems deteriorate over time from moisture, temperature changes, and animal activity. Annual inspections are essential for early detection.
At Oak Tree Chimney Solutions, we offer Level 1 and Level 2 chimney inspections, depending on your home’s needs, usage, and condition.
Annual Maintenance
Recommended for annual maintenance and routine safety checks. This inspection includes a thorough evaluation of all readily accessible components.
Ideal if your chimney system has not changed and no major events have occurred since the last inspection.
Real Estate & Insurance
Required when buying or selling a home, after a chimney fire, following storm damage, or when installing a new appliance.
The most comprehensive inspection available provides a complete picture of your chimney’s condition.
Akron, OH & Surrounding Areas
For first-time customers, we offer a $49 chimney inspection as an introductory service. This inspection includes:
There is no pressure and no obligation to proceed with repairs. Our goal is to give Akron homeowners clear, accurate information about their chimney system.
Chimneys in Akron and surrounding Northeast Ohio cities face unique wear and tear due to extreme seasonal weather and older masonry construction. Many homes in Summit and Medina counties were built 40–100+ years ago, and their chimneys have never been updated or lined properly.
Akron's harsh winters cause moisture trapped in bricks and mortar to freeze, expand, and crack. This leads to spalling bricks, mortar joint erosion, and in severe cases, chimney collapse above the roofline.
Many older homes in Akron still use clay flue liners, which degrade over time. We often find cracked, misaligned, or missing tiles, especially in homes built before the 1980s increasing the risk of chimney fires and CO leaks.
In cities like Barberton, Tallmadge, and Cuyahoga Falls, chimney caps are frequently missing or damaged. This allows squirrels, raccoons, and birds to nest inside the flue, blocking ventilation and filling the chimney with flammable debris.
Akron's year-round humidity and precipitation can damage your chimney from the inside out. Many inspections reveal hidden water entry points around flashing, crowns, or chimney shoulders often behind drywall or attic insulation.
Most crown damage in Akron-area homes is due to improper slope or unsealed concrete. We also regularly see rusted or improperly installed flashing where the chimney meets the roof, leading to interior leaks and wall stains.
Older chimneys often have rusted or jammed dampers, reducing draft efficiency and making it harder to control smoke and airflow during fireplace use.
Advanced Technology
At Oak Tree Chimney Solutions, we don’t rely on guesswork. We use the latest inspection technology carefully chosen for the brick, block, and metal chimney systems common in Northeast Ohio homes.
High-definition cameras built for masonry and prefab chimneys. They allow us to inspect deep into flues, detecting cracks, blockages, liner gaps, or joint failures in hard-to-see areas especially in older Akron homes with tight clay liners.
Moisture intrusion is often invisible to the eye. We use digital moisture meters to detect internal saturation of masonry, flue tiles, and attic framing near chimneys a common issue after Akron's rainy springs and snowy winters.
You get a full visual report, including high-res images and videos from inside your flue, along with clear repair recommendations. This helps with insurance claims, real estate disclosures, or peace of mind.
Many Akron-area homes have steep or multi-story roofs. We come equipped with OSHA-compliant ladders, safety harnesses, and stabilizers to inspect your chimney safely from the outside even in tough access scenarios.
Our inspections follow NFPA 211 standards, ensuring we check every critical point from liner integrity to combustible clearances and crown slope in line with Ohio's building code.
Our Expertise
At Oak Tree Chimney Solutions, we inspect all major residential chimney systems found throughout Akron and Northeast Ohio. Each type of chimney has unique construction, code requirements, and safety risks and our inspection process is tailored accordingly.
These traditional chimneys are common in older homes in Akron, Hudson, Medina, and Cuyahoga Falls. Built from brick, block, or natural stone, they’re beautiful but high-maintenance, especially in Ohio’s harsh freeze-thaw climate.
Common Problems We Inspect For:
Common in newer construction, these systems use lightweight metal components and are often mistaken for traditional chimneys. Brands like Majestic®, Superior®, or Metal-Fab® are often found in Barberton and Fairlawn homes.
Common Problems We Inspect For:
These systems are used for furnaces, boilers, and water heaters, especially gas appliances. Often hidden in walls or basements, they’re critical for venting carbon monoxide and should not be overlooked.
Common Problems We Inspect For:
Gas-burning fireplaces and stoves still need inspection. Though cleaner-burning than wood, gas appliances still produce carbon monoxide, acidic moisture, and condensation, which can damage liners over time.
Common Problems We Inspect For:
Many homes in rural Summit and Medina counties use wood stoves for supplemental heat. These systems often have metal stovepipes connected to masonry or prefab chimneys.
Common Problems We Inspect For:
Wood-burning or gas inserts are retrofitted into existing masonry fireplaces. They often require special liner systems and are common in remodeled Akron homes.
Common Problems We Inspect For:
We also inspect chimney systems in small businesses, rental properties, churches, and multi-unit residential buildings with similar needs to homes but on a larger scale.
Key Inspection Points:
You should schedule a chimney inspection if:
The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual inspections for all chimney systems, regardless of usage.
Testimonials
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what homeowners throughout the Akron area have to say about their experience with Oak Tree.
A chimney inspection is the most important step you can take to protect your home from fire, water damage, and carbon monoxide exposure.
Service Areas
We proudly serve homeowners throughout Northeast Ohio, offering fast, friendly, and reliable service. Many homes in this region face common chimney issues caused by Ohio’s humid summers, snowy winters, and shifting soil conditions.
Headquarters & Primary Service Area
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