By Daniel Watkins, Noble Chimney Sweepers.
People hear “chimney inspection” and picture someone glancing up the flue with a flashlight. That is one small part of one level of inspection, and knowing which level you actually need saves both money and arguments, particularly if a house is changing hands.
There are three defined levels, and they are not interchangeable
The industry works to three standardized inspection levels. The difference between them is scope and access, not thoroughness of effort.
Level 1
This is the routine annual inspection for a chimney in continued service with no known problems and no changes to the system. The technician examines the readily accessible portions: the exterior, the accessible interior, and the visible parts of the flue, checking for soundness, obstruction and combustible deposits. If you burn every winter and nothing has changed, this is your yearly baseline.
Level 2
Level 2 is required when something has changed or something has happened. Selling or buying the house. Changing fuels, or changing the appliance connected to the chimney. After an operating malfunction, a chimney fire, or an external event such as an earthquake or a serious storm. It covers everything in Level 1 plus accessible attics, crawl spaces and basements, and it includes a video scan of the internal flue surfaces.
The video scan is the part that matters most. Cracks in flue tiles, gaps at joints, and damage from a previous chimney fire are frequently invisible from either end and only show up on camera.
Level 3
Level 3 is invasive. It involves removing parts of the chimney or building structure to reach concealed areas, and it is only appropriate where a Level 1 or 2 has produced serious concern about a hidden hazard. It is uncommon, and any company recommending one should be able to explain precisely what they saw that justifies it.
The one most people need, and the one most people skip
The honest answer for a typical household is a Level 1 every year, and a Level 2 at the specific trigger points above. The transaction case is where this gets missed most often. A general home inspector will note that a chimney exists and may flag obvious exterior problems, but a standard home inspection does not include a video scan of the flue interior. Buyers in Shorewood regularly close on a house believing the chimney was inspected when what happened was a visual glance from the roof.
That gap is expensive. A cracked liner discovered after closing is the new owner’s problem, and relining is not a minor line item.
Booking in late summer is a practical decision
From late September the schedule compresses sharply, because everyone wants the same thing in the same six weeks. Booking a chimney inspection now means you pick the appointment, and more importantly it means that if the inspection turns up masonry work or a liner issue, there is still warm weather left to do the repair properly. An inspection in November that finds a problem often means no fireplace that winter.
An inspection and a sweeping are frequently done in the same visit, since a flue coated in creosote cannot be properly evaluated until it is clean. That sequencing is normal and it is worth asking any company how they handle it.
We are certified, bonded and insured, with fourteen years of these inspections behind us. You get the price up front and the full list is on the pricing page, with no separate charge appearing at the end for the camera. Call (708) 432-5747, seven days a week, 7 AM to 7 PM.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a chimney be inspected?
Annually, for any chimney in service, regardless of how much you burn. The annual inspection is what catches deterioration while it is still small, and it applies to gas appliances venting through a chimney as well as wood-burning fireplaces.
Do I need an inspection if I never use the fireplace?
Yes, though the emphasis shifts. An unused chimney still deteriorates, still admits water, and still attracts animals. If a furnace or water heater vents through it, that flue is in active service even if you never light a fire.
Does a home inspection cover the chimney?
Not to this standard. Home inspectors typically perform a limited visual assessment and explicitly exclude the flue interior. A Level 2 inspection with a video scan is a separate service and is the appropriate one for a sale.
What is included in the video scan?
A camera is passed the length of the flue to record the condition of the liner, joints and any transitions. It reveals cracking, gaps, deterioration and blockages that cannot be seen from the top or bottom of the chimney.
How long does an inspection take?
A Level 1 typically takes under an hour. A Level 2 takes longer because of the additional access and the camera work, and you should expect it to be a more substantial appointment.
Will I get a written report?
You should, and you should insist on it. A report documenting condition, with images where relevant, is what gives you something to act on and something to show a buyer, seller or insurer.
Can the chimney be inspected without sweeping it first?
A basic visual assessment can be, but a meaningful evaluation of the liner cannot happen through a coating of creosote. Where buildup is significant, sweeping first is what makes the inspection worth having.
What if the inspection finds a problem?
You get the findings, an explanation of what is urgent versus what can be monitored, and a price before any repair work is agreed. Nothing proceeds without you approving it.
Published August 13, 2026