What’s The Secret To A Healthier, Stronger, Longer-Lasting Chimney? Annual Chimney Inspections!
When it comes to our bodies and our chimneys, most of us are guilty of not giving either much thought until something’s very clearly wrong. But the best way to keep both healthy is to actively participate in preventive care and regular maintenance.
We’re not doctors, nutritionists, or fitness experts, so we can’t help you much there, but we can help with your chimney system by providing level 1 and level 2 chimney inspections. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) clearly state that all chimney systems should be inspected by a Certified Chimney Professional at least once every year, and even if you don’t use your chimney much, annual inspections are incredibly important.
Like an annual checkup with your doctor, annual chimney inspections allow us to get an overall idea of how your chimney system is performing. They also allow us to pinpoint any problem areas or weaknesses, so you know about safety issues, performance issues, and repair needs before things get worse.
Have you scheduled your annual chimney inspection this year? If not, call Chim Chimney Sweep. We’re proud to offer both level 1 and level 2 chimney inspections (strictly adhering to NFPA recommendations and guidelines), and with our team on your side, you’ll know what needs to be done to keep your chimney in good health, year after year.
Level I Chimney Inspections
Level 1 inspections are the simplest and most basic chimney inspections. If you’ve been taking great care of your chimney system, keeping up with annual inspections, cleanings, and maintenance, and you haven’t made any changes to your system, a level 1 inspection may be all you need.
What all is involved?
As the most basic chimney inspection, a level 1 inspection does not require any specialized tools or the removal of any chimney components. We simply visually inspect the chimney system — including the firebox, the smoke chamber, the flue, the crown, the flashing, the cap, and the masonry itself — and look for damage, chimney leaks, missing components, design flaws, and anything else that could threaten the safety, performance, and longevity of the chimney system.
Level II Chimney Inspections
Level 2 chimney inspections include a video scan of the chimney flue (from top to bottom), an inspection of all readily accessible areas of the chimney (including crawl spaces and attics), and everything that’s included in a level I inspection. The use of video scanning equipment allows us to really see the interior of the chimney up close, and evaluate the liner, as well as all of the other chimney components.
As with a level 1 inspection, during a level 2 chimney inspection we’re looking for damage, leaks, missing components, design flaws, and other issues that could threaten the safety, performance, and longevity of the chimney system.
When would you need a level 2 chimney inspection?
Level 2 inspections are required when a property is changing hands, but they’re also required when:
- You’ve had a chimney fire or system failure/malfunction
- You’re relining your chimney
- You’re changing appliances or fuel types
- You’ve noticed problems with your chimney system
- You’ve experienced a seismic event or severe weather event that may have damaged the chimney
Regardless of which level is needed in your home, when you hire Chim Chimney Sweep to do the job, you’re guaranteed a thorough inspection and a detailed report on our findings. We’ll let you know if any damage is present and if any repairs are needed before you use your chimney system again, so you can enjoy your fireplace with confidence and peace of mind.
Ready to get your inspection on the calendar? Call 508-875-3874 or fill out our online request form and we’ll take care of it for you!
No matter what type of chimney repair your system may need, you can count on our experienced technicians for the very best in chimney and fireplace services.
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