Cougots Chimney Chimney Sweep Fraud? Richmond Virginia

Cougot's Chimney strongly disagrees with this review.  In November of

2014, Cougot's was asked to look at the fireplaces and chimneys at the customer's

home. The customer had informed Cougot's that he had noticed smoke and soot

accumulating in the sitting room fireplace, which was not being regularly used. The

family room fireplace, however, was more regularly used by the family. Upon

inspection, it was determined that due to the adjacency of the fireplace flues in the same

chimney, smoke and soot from the family room fireplace were being pulled back down

into the sitting room fireplace. This issue was a result of the construction design of the

house and its need to replenish air in an energy-efficient environment.

Following that inspection, Cougot's made several recommendations regarding

significant work that should be done by a professional chimney company, including a

way to fix the smoke and soot backup problem. Those recommendations did not include

repairing or replacing the flue liners in the two fireplaces in question. Cougot's was not

contracted to perform any of the work that was recommended, and has no knowledge to

suggest that any of the recommendations were followed.

In September of 2015, Cougot's was hired by potential purchasers of the same

house to inspect all chimneys and fireplaces. Cougot' s performed an inspection of the

fireplaces using a video inspection system that is common in the industry. Prior to

inserting the video system into the fireplace flue, each flue is checked for obstructions

that could impede the path of the camera. Upon visual inspection, Cougot's noticed clean

orange flue tile towards the bottom of the flue, which had at one time been covered by a

mortar joint. Mortar joints are required by code, and are used to bind flue tiles together

and to prevent the escape of combustion products from the flue. During the video

inspection of both flues, Cougot's discovered missing mortar joints. Given the missing

mortar joints, the flues were determined to violate four (4) building codes and Cougot's

was required to recommend that repairs be made to both flues. Per company protocol,

Cougot' s included photographs (1.5" x 1.5" in size) of the damaged areas, the applicable building codes and the recommended repairs in the inspection report we prepared. Copies of the report were

provided to both the potential purchaser as well as the customer.

The customer subsequently contacted Cougot's about our findings and report. We again explained the basis for our findings and recommendations over the telephone

to the customer, but was then told that he would be seeking a second opinion. Cougot's

offered to meet the customer and any reputable chimney inspection company of his

choosing at the house to conduct the video inspection again to show where the damage

was found. Despite being willing to do this at no cost, Cougot's never received a

response to this offer.

Cougot's is aware that at least two subsequent inspections were done by other

companies. The second inspection generated a report that only indicated that the flue

liners were intact. It made no reference to the damaged mortar joints between the flue

liners found by Cougot's during video inspection. It should be noted that the company that performed this inspection does not have a certification from the Chimney Safety Institute

of America as Cougot's does. While Cougot's believes that a third inspection was

performed, we were given neither the name of the company nor a copy of the inspection

report that was generated.

As is consistent with our professional responsibility and industry reputation,

Cougot's identified, photographed and recommended repair to four building code

violations in the fireplace flues of the customer. Cougot's cannot be made responsible

for issues that arose during the ten months between inspections. We offered to

return to the property and conduct the video inspection again at no cost to the homeowner

so we could view the damage together. This opportunity was never taken by the customer.

Also, we have also spoken with the real estate agency in question and were not made aware of any "discrepancies" or issues with our services.  Cougot's has built an outstanding reputation over a long period of time for performing chimney work correctly and to code.  Again, we cannot be responsible for the changes to the customer's chimney over time and with significant use.