The Peace of Mind Fireplace Checklist: What We Inspect, What You Can Check, and How to Avoid Winter Surprises

Fall may feel like an illusion in North Texas. One day it’s 82°, the next day a blue-norther rolls through Dallas, Fort Worth, or Frisco and suddenly you’re regretting not preparing your fireplace sooner. If you want to stay ahead of the next cold snap, now is the time to make sure your fireplace is safe, functional, and ready to use.

As a homeowner, you can check a few key items on your own. But when it comes to understanding real risks, protecting your investment, and avoiding last-minute surprises, your home inspection plays a major role.

This is exactly why Semper Fi Home Inspections includes fireplace and chimney components in every home inspection — and why our Peace of Mind Plus™ program continues educating you long after your inspection is complete.

What Your Home Inspector Checks During a Fireplace Inspection

When you schedule your home inspection, you get a detailed visual review of the entire fireplace system as required by Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) standards. Here’s what that includes:

• Firebox condition
  • Cracking, gaps, deterioration, improper materials, or signs of previous overheating.
• Damper functionality
  • Making sure it opens, closes, and stays in position without obstruction.
• Hearth and clearances
  • Ensuring the hearth extension is the correct size and materials are safe.
• Gas log setup (if applicable)
  • Accessible valves, proper shutoff, visible connectors, and signs of leakage or corrosion.
• Smoke staining and draft concerns
  • Surface clues that can indicate improper venting or negative air pressure.
• Chimney structure visible from the ground or roof
  • Loose bricks, leaning, cracks from foundation movement, damaged caps, or missing spark arrestors.
• Moisture concerns
  • Water stains, rusting, or exterior deterioration.
• Safety red flags
  • Obstructions, improper modifications, combustible materials too close to heat sources.

This information becomes part of your full inspection report so you understand the current condition before buying, selling, or maintaining your home.

What Your Home Inspector Cannot Do (TREC Limitations)

Even the most thorough home inspection cannot include invasive or specialty chimney work. TREC prohibits:

• Internal chimney flue examinations with cameras
• Cleaning or removing creosote
• Disassembling fireplace components
• Performing repairs
• Measuring draft or pressure
• Servicing gas log units or ignition systems

Those items fall outside the scope of a home inspection — which is why Semper Fi focuses on giving you a clear, accurate picture of what’s visible and accessible, plus guidance on next steps when needed.

Why Fireplace Issues Matter in DFW Homes

Homes across Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, and surrounding counties face unique fireplace risks:

• Soil movement and foundation shifting

It’s common in Collin, Denton, Dallas, and Tarrant Counties. Shifting soil can crack fireboxes, separate brickwork, and tilt chimneys.

• Wind exposure

High winds can damage chimney caps, spark arrestors, and exterior masonry.

• Age of homes

Many neighborhoods include homes from the 1970s–1990s. Older chimneys may have deteriorated clay flue liners or outdated gas setups.

• Heavy use during sudden cold fronts

When temperatures drop quickly, fireplaces get used more — including units that haven’t been checked in years.

When your home inspection catches issues early, you avoid safety risks, costly surprises, and last-minute delays at closing.

Why Buyers and Sellers Should Address Fireplace Items Now

If you’re buying in DFW, the fireplace can significantly affect your negotiation power — especially in older homes or properties in Plano, Arlington, Mansfield, Richardson, or Irving.

If you’re selling, fixing obvious issues ahead of time protects your deal and helps prevent repair request delays during the option period.

Seasonal demand matters too. Once the first real cold front hits, service trades and chimney companies book out fast. You want to make decisions before you need heat, not while everyone else is suddenly calling the same day.

The Peace of Mind Fireplace Checklist

What You Can Check as a Homeowner

• Look for visible cracking inside the firebox
• Test the damper lever — does it open and close smoothly?
• Check for rust, moisture, or staining inside the firebox
• Make sure the hearth extends fully in front of the opening
• Look for smoke staining on the exterior brick or siding
• Verify your chimney cap is intact and not leaning
• If gas: verify the valve turns easily and doesn’t smell like gas
• Keep combustibles (decor, baskets, wood stacks) far from heat sources

What a Semper Fi Home Inspection Covers for You

• Firebox condition and material safety
• Damper functionality
• Hearth size, condition, and clearances
• Visible chimney structure from the ground or roof
• Smoke staining or improper ventilation indicators
• Gas log valve access and basic connectors
• Foundation-related chimney movement
• Exterior moisture entry signs
• Safety issues or improper installations
• Complete photo documentation in the report
• Post-inspection education through Peace of Mind Plus™

What Falls Outside a Home Inspection (But You’ll Want to Know About)

These are specialty items we educate you on — not services we perform.

• Internal flue camera inspection
• Chimney cleaning or creosote removal
• Full draft measurement or smoke-draw testing
• Flue relining or rebuilds
• Masonry repairs to chimney crowns, caps, or stacks
• Detailed servicing of gas log burners or ignition systems
• Moisture intrusion diagnostics beyond visible areas

If your inspection reveals concerns, you’ll know exactly what type of pro to contact and what they need to evaluate.

Get Winter-Ready With Semper Fi Home Inspections

Whether you’re in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Richardson, McKinney, Frisco, or any surrounding DFW community, your fireplace deserves attention before the next cold snap.

Schedule your home inspection now so you can light that first fire with confidence — and keep your family safe all season long.