When it comes to chimney maintenance, fireplace maintenance, and chimney safety, simply looking at the fireplace isn't enough. Many chimney problems develop in areas that homeowners cannot see, including inside the chimney flue, in the attic, inside crawl spaces, and the portions of the chimney above the roof. A Level 2 chimney inspection provides a much more thorough evaluation of your fireplace and chimney system, helping identify potential problems before they turn into costly chimney repairs.

What Is a Level 2 Chimney Inspection?

A Level 2 chimney inspection is a national standard, detailed inspection of the fireplace, chimney, and accessible areas surrounding the chimney. Unlike a basic visual inspection, a Level 2 inspection includes a video scan of the interior of the chimney flue. This allows us to examine portions of the chimney that cannot be properly evaluated simply by looking up through the fireplace.

A Level 2 chimney inspection is especially appropriate when purchasing a home. Standard home inspections do not evaluate the entire fireplace and chimney system leaving you unsure of its condition. An in-depth inspection can give you the knowledge you need to make an informed descision.

A level 2 is also appropriate if you have experienced a chimney fire, storm or earthquake damage or if its just been a long time since your last chimney service.

A Chimney Inspection From the Foundation to the Roof

Your chimney is much more than the portion you see above your roof. It passes through multiple areas of your home, and each area needs to be considered when evaluating the condition of the chimney system. At The Chimney Sweep LLC, our chimney inspection process looks at the accessible portions of the system from the lower portions of the chimney all the way to the top.

Fireplace and Firebox Inspection

The inspection begins with the fireplace and firebox.

We examine the condition of the firebox and surrounding fireplace components, looking for deterioration, cracks, damage, improper construction, and other conditions that could affect the fireplace. Because the firebox is exposed to repeated high temperatures, regular use can eventually cause materials to deteriorate. A professional fireplace inspection can help identify these conditions and determine whether maintenance or fireplace repair may be necessary.

Foundation Inspection

In homes where the chimney passes through an accessible crawl space, we inspect the area around the chimney foundation for proper clearances from combustible materials, signs of water intrusion and improper construction. This is an important part of a complete chimney inspection because homeowners may never see this portion of the chimney.

Video Chimney Flue Inspection

One of the most important components of a Level 2 chimney inspection is the video inspection of the interior of the chimney flue. The inside of your chimney can develop problems that aren't visible from the fireplace opening. Using specialized chimney inspection equipment, we can examine the interior of the flue for conditions such as:                                                                                                    - Cracked or damaged flue liners
- Deteriorated flue components
- Gaps or defects
- Obstructions
- Excessive creosote buildup
- Damage caused by chimney fires
- Missing or damaged sections

A chimney camera inspection provides a much closer look at the interior of the chimney and can reveal problems that a standard visual inspection may not identify.

Attic Chimney Inspection

The attic is another area that can be overlooked during a basic chimney inspection. Where the chimney passes through the attic, we inspect accessible areas for proper chimney clearances and look for signs of water infiltration and water intrusion. Water entering around a chimney can contribute to deterioration of masonry, wood framing and other building materials. Identifying signs of a chimney leak or water intrusion can help determine whether chimney flashing repair, masonry repair, or other maintenance may be necessary.

Inspecting the Chimney Above the Roof

The area where the chimney extends above the roof is particularly important. We inspect the chimney and surrounding components for visible signs of:              - Damaged or deteriorated masonry
- Cracked mortar joints
- Chimney crown deterioration
- Damaged chimney caps
- Flashing problems
- Water intrusion
- Masonry deterioration

Because this portion of your chimney is exposed to the weather year-round, rain, snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and temperature changes can contribute to deterioration over time. Inspecting the portion of the chimney above the roof can help identify potential problems before water damage spreads into the home.

Why Chimney Maintenance Is Important

Regular chimney maintenance isn't just about keeping your fireplace looking good. Your chimney is an important part of your home's fireplace and venting system. Routine chimney sweeping, chimney inspections, fireplace inspections, and chimney repairs can help identify developing problems and keep your chimney maintained throughout its service life. Creosote buildup, damaged flue liners, deteriorating masonry, chimney leaks, improper clearances, and other issues can all develop over time. The longer a problem goes unnoticed, the greater the potential for more extensive repairs.

A Chimney Can Look Fine and Still Have Problems

One of the biggest misconceptions about chimneys is that if the fireplace looks fine, the chimney must be fine too. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Problems can be hidden inside the flue, behind surrounding building materials, in the attic, inside crawl spaces, or above the roofline. That's why a professional Level 2 chimney inspection is so valuable. It provides a more complete evaluation of the fireplace and chimney system rather than focusing only on what can be seen from inside the home.

Protect Your Investment With Professional Chimney Maintenance

Your fireplace and chimney are an investment in your home. Regular maintenance and professional inspections can help you stay informed about their condition and identify potential chimney repair needs.

At The Chimney Sweep LLC, we inspect the accessible portions of your chimney system from the foundation to the roof, including:                                                          - Fireplace and firebox
- Foundation clearances
- Video flue scan
- Attic clearances
- Chimney masonry                                                                                                                  - Flashing, crown and cap

Whether you need a fireplace inspection, chimney sweeping or chimney repair, having the entire system evaluated can give you a much better understanding of its current condition. Don't wait until you notice a problem with your fireplace or discover water coming through your ceiling.

The Chimney Sweep LLC provides professional chimney sweeping, Level 2 chimney inspections and chimney repair services to help homeowners properly maintain their chimney and fireplace systems. From the foundation to the roof—we look beyond what you can see.

The Chimney Sweep LLC
Chimney Sweeping • Level 2 Chimney Inspections • Fireplace Inspections • Chimney Repairs