Found a hidden crack in a flue liner because a customer's dog wouldn't stop barking at the fireplace

I was cleaning a standard brick chimney in a house over in the west end. Finished the brush, did the camera check, everything looked clear. As I was packing up, the family's old terrier started going nuts at the sealed fireplace door, growling and whining. The owner said he only does that when the furnace kicks on. Made me pause. I pulled the camera back out and ran it again, focusing lower near the thimble. Sure enough, there was a hairline crack in the clay liner, about two feet down from the top. The warm air from the furnace was leaking out through it, and the dog could feel the draft. I'd been missing that spot for years, just doing a quick top-to-bottom scan. How many of you have had a weird clue like that tip you off to a problem you would have missed?

3 comments

3 Comments

hannahcraig6d agoTop Commenter

That dog deserves a finder's fee.

cole_murphy5d ago

Guess my inspection reports would just say "dog seemed fine" half the time. Makes you want to bring a beagle on every job, right?

cole_murphy6d ago

Wait, the dog only barked when the furnace turned on? That's wild. Honestly makes you wonder how many problems we walk right past because we're just looking with our eyes. Tbh I'd have probably just told the owner their dog was weird and left. Good thing you actually listened.