Inspection of the flue gas path is the most demanding of the three actions distinguished by Decree No. 34/2016 Coll., on cleaning, inspection and review of flue gas paths, alongside inspection and cleaning. While inspection and cleaning are carried out by a person with a chimney sweep trade licence, only an authorised inspector of flue gas paths may perform the review. Unlike inspection or cleaning, it is not repeated every year but is linked to a specific construction or operational event, which is why many homeowners are unaware of it until they need it. The article describes in detail the differences between these individual actions. Chimney inspection, cleaning and certification: the differences.
When is a chimney inspection mandatory
Decree 34/2016 Coll. Mandates that the flue gas path must undergo inspection in several precisely defined situations: before putting a new flue gas path into operation, after any structural modification to the chimney, upon changing the type of fuel used by the appliance, before connecting an appliance to a previously unused flue gas path, following a chimney fire, and when cracks are detected or there is suspicion of a fault. Outside these situations, a regular annual check suffices; therefore, inspection is not an annual routine but an action tied to specific events.
In practice, this means an inspection is required, for example, by an owner who has had a new chimney built for their fireplace, or by a household switching from a coal boiler to a gas one. Similarly, an inspection is needed in an apartment where an appliance is being reconnected after years to an old, unused flue duct: no one can guarantee its condition there.
How much does a chimney inspection cost
The inspection fee depends on chimney accessibility, the number of flue routes in the building and the region where the technician operates. As a guideline, for a detached house with one chimney structure it starts from 1 800 Kč. For apartment buildings and the building's owners' association, where multiple chimneys are inspected at once, the price per chimney is usually lower. The exact amount will always be confirmed by the specific inspection technician after the request form has been completed.
The price also reflects whether the chimney is easily accessible from the attic or if a ladder and roof platform are required, what material the flue gas path is made of (brick chimney, stainless steel liner, system chimney), and whether the technician is assessing one appliance or multiple appliances connected to a common flue. That is why offers can differ by several hundred Kč, and the indicative amount is always just a starting point for negotiation.
How to prepare for an inspection
The inspection technician requires unobstructed access to the flue, in a panel building or older house this is usually a hatch in the attic or flue doors inside the flat, while for a detached house it often involves roof access. It is advisable to have documents from previous inspections and cleanings ready, if available, these enable the technician to quickly assess the history of the flue gas path. For larger properties, such as those managed by the building's owners' association or apartment blocks, it is appropriate to schedule an appointment well in advance, as inspecting multiple flue bodies at once can take a whole morning.
How an inspection is carried out
The inspection technician first assesses the condition of the flue gas path, material, joint tightness, passability, and compliance with safe distances from combustible structures. For newly connected appliances, they verify whether the flue gas path matches the appliance's performance and fuel type. The assessment also includes the chimney head and access for subsequent cleaning and inspections; their deadlines can be found in the article. Chimney cleaning: deadlines by fuel type and priceIf the technician finds a defect during the inspection that prevents safe operation, they will recommend a specific repair: typically relining or masonry repair, and the appliance may only be started after it has been rectified.
What an inspection report contains
The inspection report describes the condition of the flue gas path on the date of the inspection, states whether it is fit for safe operation, and includes a conclusion with any conditions or recommended measures. Without this document, the appliance must not be put into operation, and in the event of damage, the insurance company requires it as the primary document. The household owner should keep this document stored with other house papers, just like documents regarding regular inspections and cleaning, because it may need to be referred to even years later, for example when selling the property. For gas appliances, the inspection has a few additional specific features, which we discuss in the article. Chimney sweep inspections for gas boilers: what to know.
What risks arise without an inspection
Failure to carry out the inspection is classified as a breach of obligations under the Fire Protection Act (No. 133/1985 Coll.) and Decree No. 34/2016 Coll. An individual faces a fine of up to 25 000 Kč. However, the more serious consequence arises in the event of an insurance claim, if a fire or flue gas leak occurs and the inspection is missing or expired, the insurer may significantly reduce the payout. This risk does not concern only the owner themselves; a damaged chimney can also endanger neighbouring flats or attic spaces, even if it appears unremarkable from the outside.