Quick answer
If the home you are buying has a fireplace, wood stove or masonry chimney, get a Level 2 chimney inspection with a camera scan before closing. General home inspectors usually only look at the outside and the firebox; the expensive problems — cracked liners, missing mortar, water damage — are inside the flue.
What a Level 2 inspection covers
- Video scan of the full flue
- Accessible attic, crawl space and roof areas around the chimney
- Crown, cap, flashing and masonry
- Firebox, damper and smoke chamber
- Furnace and water-heater flues
Problems it can uncover
- Cracked or missing clay liner tiles
- Evidence of a past chimney fire
- Water damage and failed flashing
- Unlined furnace flues after an appliance upgrade
Use it in your negotiation
Photos and a written report give you something concrete to bring to the seller — whether that's a repair, a credit or a price adjustment.
More questions
How long does a home-sale chimney inspection take?
About an hour per flue, and we can usually schedule it within your inspection period.
Need a local professional?
Chimney Champs has been a local chimney company for 13 years. We provide chimney inspection in your area. Call (856) 300-9215 for a free estimate.
Sources & further reading
- NFPA 211 — Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances (National Fire Protection Association)
- Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)