A chimney inspection is an important part of maintaining your chimney and fireplace. The inspection can identify potential problems that could lead to a chimney fire or other safety hazards.
During a professional chimney inspection, experienced eyes will check for creosote buildup, flue blockages, leaks, cracks, damage, and other issues that could cause costly problems or increase your risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. We will also assess the condition of the flue liner, chimney cap, and chimney crown.
“It is impossible to eliminate all fire and carbon monoxide hazards associated with your fireplace, stove, or furnace, but there are things you can do to make your home safer and reduce your risk. Routine chimney inspections are the most important thing you can do.”
A chimney inspection typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes to complete. We will need access to the fireplace, so please make sure that all combustible materials (such as wood, paper, and rugs) are removed from the area before we arrive.
If you have any questions about the chimney inspection, or if you would like to schedule an inspection, please contact us today.
There are two main types of chimney inspections: Level 1 and Level 2.
With a Level 1 inspection, our Certified chimney technician will inspect all the readily accessible portions of your fireplace, examining all areas of your chimney and flue that can be viewed without any special tools such as The Firebox, Chimney Cap, Chimney Flashing Chimney Crown and The Flue.
You may need a level 1 inspection if you plan to use your appliance or venting system in the same way as before. This kind of assessment is conducted on chimneys under annual maintenance which was never modified.
A certified Technician inspects readily accessible parts of the exterior and interior, plus any connection with the appliance. The Technician looks for soundness of structure and flue, to make sure there are no blockages or combustible deposits, and confirms the appropriate installation of all parts.
In a level 1 Inspection Technicians do not use tools to open or remove doors, panels, or coverings in order to inspect the chimney exterior and interior.
Technicians may Use common tools such as a flashlight or a screwdriver to Inspect portions of the appliance and the chimney connection and the evaluation will not disrupt the chimney structure or finish.
It is recommended that you have your chimney inspected at least once a year, or more often if you use your fireplace frequently. Chimney inspections are also generally required before a chimney can be relined.
A level 2 chimney inspection is a thorough examination of the chimney, Done by a trained professional. This type of inspection involves using special equipment to check for any hidden damage or blockages. A level 2 inspection is typically done if there is significant damage or a potential problem with the chimney, such as a chimney fire, earthquakes, and weather events.
This kind of inspection shall examine all aspects included in a Level 1 but it should also include a visual check (through video scan or other methods) to analyze the interior surfaces and joints of the flue liner. Plus, it should inspect possible combustible’s locations and visible parts of the building’s exterior and interior including attics, crawl spaces, and basements.
This kind of inspection is also necessary if the system was modified, such as switching fuel type (wood burning to gas, for example), or changing the flue material or shape (through relining, for example), It is also necessary when there is the transfer of ownership of a property, when an operational malfunction happens or when there has been external damage to the chimney system due to fires, earthquakes, and weather events.
