Chimney Inspections

As a homeowner, you want to know your fireplace, stove, or heating appliance is ready to safely burn all winter long so you and your family can enjoy cozy nights at home. Have you had your chimney and heating appliance flue inspected and swept by a professional this year? If not, it’s time to get the peace of mind you deserve by scheduling with an experienced and Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified pro.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code 211, every chimney and venting system should be inspected yearly, regardless of whether or not it’s used regularly. If you do use your chimney each year, flammable and corrosive creosote and soot can build up inside of the flue and need to be removed. If you don’t use your chimney each year, it still needs to be checked for structural integrity, due to the long and tough winters we have here in New England, and exposure to the elements year round. But different chimneys call for different inspections.

We recommend inspecting every chimney or appliance yearly as required by the NFPA Code 211.
-Level 1 — Level 1 inspections provide a basic look at 1 flue, from top to bottom. During a level I, we’ll look for any creosote buildup, flue blockages, or other noticeable issues that could be a problem. Level 1 covers Inspection & Sweep ONLY. Images are not provided with a Level 1 inspection. Level 1 Inspection & Sweep is only available if you are NOT looking to purchase a gas Insert
-Level 2 — Level 2 inspections are more in-depth, and include a video scan of the entire interior of the chimney flue, as well as a closer look at the chimney structure itself. This will include an inspection of the entire chimney with sweep of all flues contained within the chimney. We’ll check the chimney cap, the crown, the flashing, the masonry of the chimney, the flue liner, the damper, the appliance connection, the smoke chamber, and the firebox for cracks, leaks, damage, and other issues. We’ll take pictures and measurements of everything, top to bottom, and include them in the inspection report, which will be emailed to you along with your images. In this report, you’ll also find a list of any issues we find, as well as estimates for each recommended fix for your consideration.

-If you are planning to purchase/install an insert or fireplace that will be utilizing the chimney, a Level 2 chimney inspection and sweep is required. There may be issues/concerns that come up at inspection that prevent us from moving forward with the installation of your new fireplace or insert until further work is completed.
-When purchasing a new insert, or fireplace, the flue being used by this appliance is permanently sealed off at the chimney cap to create a weathertight seal. Over time, the mortar joints between flues can become compromised. If a blockage were to occur in an adjacent flue, the gas produced by your heating appliance could be routed into the flue where your new venting was installed. With nowhere to go at the top of your chimney, this gas could travel down your flue and back into your home. Due to this extremely dangerous safety concern, we require that any additional heating appliances using the same chimney as a new gas or electric appliance be properly lined.