Chimney Inspection Levels Explained

Not all chimney inspections are the same. The level of inspection depends on the condition of the chimney and whether changes have been made to the system.

Chimney inspections follow standards set by the National Fire Protection Association
under NFPA 211 guidelines.

Level 1 Chimney Inspection
Best for: Annual maintenance when no changes have been made.
A Level 1 inspection is a basic visual inspection of readily accessible areas of the chimney and fireplace.

We check:

Flue condition
Firebox
Damper
Chimney cap and crown
Exterior masonry
No special tools or cameras are used.

This is appropriate when:

The system has not been modified
No performance issues are present
No damage is suspected
Most routine annual inspections fall into this category