Buying A House? Get A Level 2 Chimney Inspection!

Buying a new home can be an exciting and stressful time. Due to this, a home inspection is an important part of reassuring buyers that they are making a sound investment.

Even if your new home has had a thorough home inspection, they may have missed one key area – the chimney. Most home inspectors are not certified or trained to spot chimney damage! Fireplaces and chimneys are often given nothing more than a cursory once-over. Having a chimney inspection done, in addition to your home inspection, can give you peace of mind about your new home.

Chimney inspections for buyers.

Buying a home is a major investment. Having a chimney inspection done before closing is one way to ensure you know the condition of a home before closing. Because home inspections often do not include more than a cursory glance to the chimney system, an additional chimney inspection is often recommended.

Some sellers will include a disclosure or report from a chimney sweep as part of their documentation about the home’s condition. In the event an inspection has been done by the seller, buyers are still able to request their own, independent chimney inspection. This ensures there is no bias in the chimney report and the information provided by the sellers is fair and accurate.

Level 2 chimney inspections.

The National Fire Protection Association has three standardized levels of chimney inspections. Level 1 chimney inspections are basic and typically done annually when there are no changes or performance problems associated with a fireplace. Level 3 chimney inspections are the most in-depth. They may require part of the wall or brick to be removed to access the chimney. Also, are only done in the event of major damage from a fire or other natural disaster.

When buying a home, a Level 2 chimney inspection is recommended. This level of chimney inspection gives homeowners the most comprehensive picture of their chimney system without being overly invasive. During a Level 2 chimney inspection, the chimney technician will inspect all accessible portions of the interior and exterior fireplace and chimney. They will check for signs of damage or deterioration that could affect fireplace function or safety.

In addition, technology such as closed circuit cameras are used to inspect the difficult to reach portions of the flue. This ensures that there is no hidden damage or safety issues lurking around. Depending on the area you live in, a Level 2 inspection may be required as part of a home sale. Level 2 inspections are also recommended any time changes are made to the chimney system. This includes installing a new insert or changing fuel sources.

Give us a call!

When preparing to buy a new home, don’t forget to ask for an independent chimney inspection to verify the condition of your new fireplace system. If you are in the Baltimore area, trust the experts at ChimneyTEK to perform a comprehensive chimney inspection. Contact us today for more information about chimney inspections or to schedule a Level 2 chimney inspection for your new home!