The Importance of a Chimney Inspection
Your chimney system should be inspected semi-regularly to ensure that it is functioning correctly. Regular inspections can also help protect your homeowners insurance coverage.
A Level 2 inspection is necessary before a home sale or transfer and after significant damage like a chimney fire or extreme weather. It involves all the visual examinations of a Level 1 inspection plus additional work including attics, basements and crawl spaces. Contact Chimney Inspection Baltimore now!
A chimney is a lovely addition to a home, but it’s also a dangerous structure if not properly maintained and protected. Chimneys are prone to cracks, leaks, and other structural problems that can put your family and property at risk of fire and injury. Chimney inspections are the key to keeping your fireplace system in good condition and preventing minor issues from escalating into major repairs.
A basic chimney inspection focuses on visual assessment of the exterior and interior of your fireplace and chimney. During this type of inspection, your chimney sweep will look for signs of damage or deterioration to the chimney itself, such as brick cracks or missing mortar. Your chimney sweep will also check the fireplace for signs of safety hazards, such as a broken flue tile, rusting or loose grates, and fire pits that have not been sealed.
Whether or not you use your fireplace, it is important to have it inspected before winter arrives. The combustible creosote buildup that accumulates within your chimney poses a serious fire hazard. Regular chimney inspections identify this flammable material and remove it before it has a chance to ignite into a hazardous chimney fire.
If you use your fireplace frequently, it’s a good idea to have a level 1 chimney inspection twice a year. Once in the fall and once in the spring. The spring inspection is ideal because it’s before the heating season begins, so any repairs will be done before cold weather sets in and further corrodes the metal parts of your chimney system.
When a chimney is new or has undergone significant repairs, it’s important to have a level 2 chimney inspection performed. This more thorough evaluation uses video cameras to examine hard-to-reach areas of the chimney, such as inside the flue, attic, and crawlspace. It may also include a smoke and pressure test. This type of inspection is particularly useful following chimney construction or repair, as it can help ensure that the work was completed correctly and to the standards set by your local fire safety code.
Level 2 Inspection
When a chimney has been damaged, either by a natural calamity or from a chimney fire, a Level 2 inspection is needed to ensure the integrity of the structure. This type of inspection includes an examination of the attic and other hard-to-reach areas in the home, looking for damage to the chimney and ensuring that there is sufficient clearance between the fireplace and any combustible materials.
Level two inspections are also recommended by chimney sweeps for homeowners who are considering selling their home. A level two inspection provides potential buyers with a detailed report that describes the chimney’s condition, both inside and out. This allows them to make an informed decision about whether or not the purchase of the property is a good idea.
In addition, a level two inspection is required after any significant changes have been made to the fireplace and chimney system, such as switching fuel sources or installing a new insert. Chimney sweeps often recommend this level of inspection when a homeowner is considering changing their fireplace fuel source as it may affect the way that the flue drafting system works.
A level 2 inspection can be an important diagnostic tool, finding unseen problems that can lead to long term performance issues. These problems can include leaks, drafting issues, and animal entry.
A Level 3 DOT inspection is performed on vehicles with a gross vehicle weight over 14,000 pounds, or those that carry passengers. During this inspection, the inspector examines:
The terms chimney sweeping and chimney inspection are sometimes confused. While the former involves the removal of soot and ash, the latter is an evaluation of the entire chimney structure. Regardless of what service you need, it’s essential to locate an experienced professional who can provide the highest level of care. Using a certified and experienced chimney sweep is your best bet. The following list includes several highly rated companies in the area.
