The Three Levels of a Chimney Inspection, Explained
Chimney inspections come in three levels set by a national safety standard. Here's what each one covers and which you actually need.
Posted August 4, 2026
Topics: Leaning Chimney Repair
Not every chimney inspection is the same. There are three levels, set by a national safety standard, and knowing which one you need saves you money on the low end and trouble on the high end. Here is what each one covers and when it applies.
Level 1: the routine check
A Level 1 inspection is the basic yearly check for a chimney you use regularly and have not changed. The inspector looks over the readily accessible parts of the chimney and flue, inside and out, for the obvious things: soundness, buildup, and any clear signs of damage or blockage. If you burn a fire most winters and nothing about the setup has changed, this is usually the one you need.
Level 2: when something has changed
A Level 2 inspection goes further, and it is called for when circumstances change. You need one when you are buying or selling a home, after you have made a change to the system like a new liner or a different appliance, or after something that could have caused damage, like a chimney fire or a strong storm. It includes everything in a Level 1, plus a look at accessible spaces like the attic and crawl space, and often a video scan of the inside of the flue.
If you are buying a house with a fireplace, this is the level to ask for. A basic look will not catch what a real estate transaction needs to know.
Level 3: when there is a serious problem
A Level 3 inspection is the most thorough, used when a Level 1 or 2 turns up a serious hidden hazard. It can involve opening up or removing parts of the structure to reach concealed areas. You do not order a Level 3 out of the blue. It is where you end up when there is real evidence of a dangerous problem that has to be gotten to.
Where we come in
Our focus is the structure of the chimney, the part that leans, cracks, and pulls away from the house. If an inspection turns up that your chimney is unstable or separating from the home, that is our work: stabilizing the footing and repairing the masonry, no teardown. See our leaning chimney repair page for more on that side of it.
