Chimney Inspection Levels: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Explained

Not every chimney inspection is the same. Chimney professionals use three inspection levels, and the right one depends on what has happened to your chimney since it was last checked. A fireplace you use the same way every winter needs a different look than a flue serving a newly converted boiler, or a chimney in a house that is about to change hands. This guide explains what each level covers, when each one makes sense, what you get from EverFlame Chimney Care after the visit, and how to get your home ready. If you are not sure which level you need, tell us what has changed with your system and we will recommend the right starting point.

Why chimneys need a yearly inspection

The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. That applies whether you burn wood in an open fireplace, run a gas insert, or have a furnace or boiler venting through a masonry flue. Problems inside a chimney, such as cracked flue tiles, creosote buildup, animal nests or a loose damper, are usually invisible from the living room.

A yearly inspection also tells you whether the chimney needs a sweep. Inspection and cleaning are separate jobs: the inspection finds out what condition the system is in, and the sweep removes soot and creosote. Many homeowners schedule both together before they start using their fireplace or heating system for the season.

Level 1: the routine annual check

A Level 1 inspection is the right choice when nothing about your chimney or the appliances connected to it has changed since the last inspection, and you plan to keep using it the same way.

Your technician examines the readily accessible parts of the system without special tools or opening anything up. That generally covers the following:

• The firebox, smoke chamber area and damper you can see from the fireplace opening
• The chimney exterior and the parts of the interior that can be viewed directly
• Connections between appliances and the chimney, such as stove or boiler connector pipes
• Signs of creosote and soot buildup, blockages, nests or debris
• Clearance between the chimney and nearby combustible materials where it can be seen

Level 2: when something changes

Under the NFPA 211 standard, a Level 2 inspection applies when the system changes or the home is sold. Common examples include installing a new stove, insert or boiler, relining the flue, or switching fuel types. We also recommend a closer Level 2 look after a chimney fire or after a severe storm, a lightning strike or another event that may have damaged the chimney.

A Level 2 inspection includes everything in Level 1, plus access to attics, crawl spaces and basements where the chimney passes through, and a video scan of the inside of the flue. The camera lets us see cracks, gaps in mortar joints and damaged liner sections along the full length of the chimney.

Fuel switches deserve special attention in New York City. When a building converts its boiler from oil to gas, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of the work. A new liner is often needed, because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue. A Level 2 inspection gives you and your heating contractor a clear picture of the flue before the new equipment goes in.

Level 3: reaching hidden hazards

A Level 3 inspection is used when a hidden hazard has to be reached by opening part of the chimney or the building. It is not a routine service. It is usually recommended only after a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection points to a serious problem that cannot be confirmed any other way, such as suspected damage behind a wall, inside a chimney chase, or in an enclosed section of the flue.

This level can involve removing parts of the chimney crown, interior walls, paneling or other building materials to get to the concealed area. Because it is more involved, we explain exactly what needs to be opened and why before any work begins, so you can make an informed decision.

What you get after the inspection

Every inspection ends with documentation you can keep and share. You should be able to understand what we found without having been on the roof yourself.

• Photos of the areas we inspected and any problems we found
• Video footage of the flue interior when a camera scan is part of the inspection
• A written report describing the condition of the chimney, fireplace and connected vents
• Clear notes on anything that needs attention, such as a sweep, chimney repair, a new cap or chase cover, waterproofing, damper repair or liner installation
• Information that buyers, sellers, heating contractors and building managers can use

How to prepare for your inspection

A little preparation helps the visit go smoothly and lets the technician see more of the system.

Do not use the fireplace or wood stove the day before the visit, so the firebox and flue are cool. Clear the hearth and move furniture, rugs and decorations a few feet away from the fireplace. If the inspection includes the attic, basement or boiler room, make sure those areas are reachable. In apartment buildings and co-ops, let the super or building manager know about the visit and arrange roof access if needed.

Have any useful details ready: when the chimney was last swept or inspected, any recent changes to appliances or fuel, smells, smoke or water leaks you have noticed, and any past repairs. Keep pets in another room while the technician works.