Chimney Inspections in Lockport, IL — Level 1 & Level 2
A chimney hides its problems well. Flue tiles crack out of sight, mortar joints open behind walls, and a chimney fire can leave a flue unusable while the fireplace looks perfectly normal. Noble Chimney Sweepers performs Level 1 visual inspections with every sweep and full Level 2 camera inspections for home purchases, post-fire assessments, and appliance changes — with written photo reports you can hand to an insurer, a realtor, or a skeptical spouse.
✓ Certified Sweep ✓ Bonded & Insured ✓ 14 Years of Experience ✓ Owner-Operated
When Each Level Is the Right Call
Level 1 — annual maintenance. Same fuel, same appliance, no known problems, regular service history. We visually examine every readily accessible component: firebox, damper, smoke chamber, visible flue, and exterior masonry. Included with every sweeping.
Level 2 — when something changed. Buying or selling the home, a suspected or confirmed chimney fire, converting from wood to gas (or back), installing a new insert or liner, seismic or storm damage, or a Level 1 finding that needs a closer look. Everything in a Level 1, plus a complete video scan of the flue interior and examination of accessible attic, basement, and crawlspace portions of the chimney.
Why Camera Inspections Earn Their Keep
The most expensive chimney problems are the ones that stay invisible longest. A hairline crack in a flue tile doesn’t leak smoke into the living room — it leaks heat and combustion gases into the chase cavity, quietly, for years. Water gets into open mortar joints and freeze-thaws them wider every Illinois winter. By the time symptoms show up indoors, the repair bill has usually doubled. A camera scan finds these while they’re still repairs instead of rebuilds — or confirms the flue is sound, which is worth knowing before you close on a house in New Lenox or Mokena with a “charming original fireplace.”
Inspection FAQs
What’s the difference between a Level 1 and Level 2 inspection?
A Level 1 is a visual check of all readily accessible parts of the chimney — appropriate when nothing has changed and the system has been maintained. A Level 2 adds a video camera scan of the entire flue interior plus accessible attic and crawlspace portions. It’s the right call after a chimney fire, before buying a home, after changing fuel type or appliance, or when a Level 1 turns up something suspicious.
Do I need a Level 2 inspection when buying a home in the Lockport area?
Strongly recommended. General home inspectors look at chimneys from the ground and the attic hatch — they don’t scan flue interiors, and their reports say so in the fine print. Cracked tiles or a damaged crown can mean four-figure repairs that are invisible without a camera. A Level 2 before closing turns that surprise into a negotiating point.
What does the camera actually see?
The full interior of the flue, joint by joint: cracked or shifted tiles, missing mortar between tile joints, gaps at the smoke chamber, blockages, and moisture staining. You watch the feed with us if you like, and key frames go in your written report.
How long does an inspection take?
A Level 1 adds about 15 minutes to a sweep. A standalone Level 2 typically runs 60 to 90 minutes including the camera scan, exterior assessment, and walkthrough of what we found.
Do you provide written reports I can use for insurance or a real estate transaction?
Yes. Every Level 2 includes a written report with photos and camera stills, organized by component, with each finding classified by urgency. Insurance adjusters and realtors in Will County see these regularly from us.
My chimney had a fire — can you tell?
Usually, yes. Chimney fires leave signatures: puffy or honeycombed creosote, cracked tiles with clean faces, warped dampers, and creosote flakes on the roof or smoke shelf. A post-fire Level 2 documents whether the flue survived intact — critical before the fireplace is used again.
Is an inspection included when you sweep?
Every sweep includes a Level 1 visual inspection at no extra charge. The camera-based Level 2 is a separate service with its own starting price on our pricing page, and we’ll always explain why one is warranted before recommending it.
What happens if you find a problem?
You get photos, an explanation of what the finding means for safety, an honest read on urgency, and a written price for the fix. Some findings genuinely can wait a season — we say so when that’s true.
Starting prices for both inspection levels are on our pricing page. Call (708) 432-5747 seven days a week, 7 AM–7 PM.