Chimney Inspection

Almost any home can benefit from a fireplace and chimney. It can keep you warm when it’s cold outside, and it adds re-sale to your home should you ever decide to move.

However, a chimney is not a leave-it-and-forget-it feature for your home. It requires regular maintenance to ensure it’s safe to operate and catch small issues before they transform into far costlier or even dangerous ones, easily justifying your chimney inspection cost.

So, it’s important to get a regular chimney inspection to ensure that your fireplace and chimney are operational. There may also be times where you’re required to get your chimney inspected. Knowing the basics of when you need your chimney inspected and what type of inspection you need could help save you money in the long run and keep your family safe.

When to Get Your Chimney Inspected

There are three types of chimney inspections:

A Level 1 inspection is recommended at least once a year.
A Level 2 inspection is required when you transfer ownership of your home, if there was an external event that may have damaged your chimney, or if you plan on making any changes to the chimney or use it differently than you have in the past.
A Level 3 inspection whenever a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection indicates a potential hazard.

So, if you’re not selling your home and you’re not planning to use your chimney any differently than you have in past years, then you should schedule a Level 1 chimney inspection at least once a year. However, if you intend to sell your home or notice a potential issue with your chimney, you should schedule a Level 2 inspection to ensure it is safe and non-hazardous to use.

What Does a Chimney Inspection Include?

As the chimney inspection level increases, the intensity of the inspection increases. That’s why, for the most part, a Level 1 inspection is all you need as preventative maintenance.

Level 1 Inspection

Speaking of, a Level 1 inspection involves a technician assessing the portions of the chimney and fireplace that are readily accessible. “Readily accessible” typically means the chimney’s exterior and other portions that the technician can access without the use of additional tools. They’ll also check the structural soundness of the chimney and that it is free of any obstructions. A Level 1 inspection includes examining the chimney connection, the flue, and basic appliance installation and connections.

Level 2 Inspection

There are several different situations when you need to conduct a Level 2 chimney inspection:

You’ve added a new heating appliance.
You’re changing the type of fuel used in the chimney.
You’ve sold the property or otherwise transferred ownership.
You notice a chimney malfunction.
An external event (like a fire or extreme storm) may have damaged the chimney.

A Level 2 inspection includes everything involved in a Level 1 inspection. However, it also adds an examination of the chimney as it runs through your basement, crawl space, and attic. Most Level 2 inspections also include at least one performance test, such as a smoke or pressure test and a video inspection of the chimney’s and fireplace’s interior.

Level 3 Inspection

A Level 3 is the most intensive inspection: it includes everything done under the first two inspection types while inspecting inaccessible portions of the chimney system. To reach these inaccessible portions, part of the chimney usually needs to be removed to give the inspector access.