Hi, I’m Ray Gessner. I’m a licensed professional engineer, and I’ve been professionally inspecting and cleaning chimneys for over 25 years. I’ve owned and operated a chimney sweep business for decades, and throughout that time I’ve inspected thousands of fireplaces and chimneys in all kinds of homes—from brand-new construction to historic masonry systems that are over a hundred years old.
In this video, I’m going to show you what a *proper, professional* chimney fireplace inspection and cleaning actually involves. We’ll cover what we look for, how we inspect critical components you can’t see from the living room, and why routine inspections and cleanings are so important for safety, performance, and the long-term life of your chimney system.
Many homeowners assume that if a fireplace looks fine, it *is* fine—but that’s often not the case. Hidden defects, creosote buildup, clearance issues, and construction flaws can exist for years without obvious warning signs. As both an engineer and a chimney professional, I approach every inspection with a focus on building science, fire safety, and real-world performance—not just surface appearances.
This video is part of a comprehensive series we’ve created to educate homeowners, real estate professionals, and even inspectors about chimneys, fireplaces, and venting systems. These videos are designed to give you clear, practical information so you can make informed decisions about your home.
If you want to learn more, watch additional videos, or schedule a professional chimney inspection or cleaning, visit
https://chimneysweeps.com . You’ll find the full video series there along with helpful resources and expert guidance based on decades of hands-on experience.
If you found this video helpful, be sure to like it, subscribe to the channel, and share it with anyone who owns a fireplace. And you can find more about me at
https://chimneysweep.com.
Let’s get started.”
