What Happens During a Professional Chimney Inspection?

A Level 1 inspection is recommended for continuous, uninterrupted fireplace use where no changes or problems have occurred. If you haven't altered your heating system, experienced a storm, or noticed unusual smoke or leaks, a Level 1 inspection is the standard routine checkup.

During a Level 1 visit, our certified technician examines all readily accessible portions of the chimney interior and exterior, including:

• The firebox, lintel, and hearth extension
• The damper operation, hinge mechanics, and throat sealing
• Accessible portions of the chimney flue liner and smoke chamber
• The exterior chimney cap, crown, and visible roofline masonry

The goal is to verify that the flue is free of obstructions, that creosote buildup has not reached combustible levels, and that basic structural integrity is intact.

A Level 2 inspection is more exhaustive and is required whenever there is a change in the heating system (such as installing a new gas insert or relining a flue), after an operational event (such as a chimney fire, earthquake, or major hailstorm), or upon the transfer or sale of a real estate property.

A Level 2 evaluation includes everything in Level 1 plus:

• Accessing attics, basements, and crawlspaces to evaluate structural clearances between chimney masonry and combustible wood framing.
• Deploying specialized high-definition, 360-degree rotary closed-circuit video inspection cameras down the entire length of the flue column.
• Verifying the continuity of every individual clay tile liner joint, looking for hairline fractures, gaps in refractory mortar, or missing tiles that could let extreme heat or carbon monoxide escape into walls.

A Level 3 inspection is rare and reserved for situations where concealed hazards are suspected that cannot be confirmed without removing parts of the building structure (such as cutting through drywall, removing chimney crowns, or stripping chase siding).