Free quiz · five questions
Which chimney inspection do I need?
The national standard, NFPA 211, has three levels. Which one you need depends on what has changed and what has happened to the chimney — not on how old it is. Answer five questions and you will know what to ask for.
Level 1
Routine
Level 2
After a change
Level 3
Hidden hazard
How this works
Each level goes further than the one before it. The quiz starts from a routine Level 1 and moves up only when an answer calls for it.
Anything that has changed — a new fuel, a new appliance, a relined or altered flue, a sale — or anything that has happened — a chimney fire, an earthquake, a severe storm — moves it to a Level 2.
Only a hazard that an inspection has already found or strongly suspects, and that can't be reached without removing part of the building or chimney, makes it a Level 3.
The quiz points you to the right request; the technician confirms the level on site. Your answers stay in your browser.
Questions people ask
- What are the three levels of chimney inspection?
- NFPA 211 sets out three. Level 1 is the routine yearly check of the readily accessible parts of the chimney and appliance. Level 2 adds the accessible parts of the attic, crawl space and basement, and usually a video scan of the flue; it is required when something changes or happens. Level 3 is for a hidden hazard that can only be reached by removing parts of the building or chimney.
- Do I need a Level 2 chimney inspection when buying or selling a house?
- Yes. NFPA 211 calls for a Level 2 inspection on the sale or transfer of a property. A general home inspection is not the same thing as a chimney inspection, so it is worth asking for the Level 2 separately.
- Does a Level 2 inspection include a camera?
- Usually, yes. A Level 2 typically includes a video scan of the inside of the flue, which is how cracked tiles, gaps in the liner and missing mortar joints are found.
- When is a Level 3 inspection needed?
- Only when a Level 1 or Level 2 has found or strongly suspects a serious hazard that can't be reached without removing part of the building or chimney — for example damage behind an interior wall or inside the chase. It is not where an inspection starts.
- Does a Level 3 mean opening up my walls?
- It can. A Level 3 removes the specific parts needed to reach the suspected problem, such as part of the crown, the chase, or an interior wall. It is limited to the areas that need it, and the technician explains what has to be opened, and why, before anything is removed.
- How often should a chimney be inspected?
- NFPA 211 recommends chimneys, fireplaces and vents are inspected at least once a year, whatever the fuel. For most homes that is a Level 1, unless something has changed or happened since the last one.
Been told the liner is cracked? What a damaged liner means. Not sure when it was last swept? Check your sweep schedule.
Book the inspection
Phones answered around the clock · free estimate