Your chimney plays a vital role in your home’s heating system, and it needs to be inspected on a regular basis to ensure that it’s functioning properly. Anglin’s Foundation and Masonry Repairs in Atlanta share more about when you need a chimney inspection and what is involved.
Different Levels of Chimney Inspections
A chimney inspection is a thorough examination of your chimney that checks for any signs of damage or wear, as well as any potential hazards that could impact the safety of your home. There are three levels of chimney inspections, and the level you need will depend on the condition of your chimney.
- Level 1 Inspection: this most basic inspection is recommended for chimneys that are in good condition and have been regularly maintained. During a Level 1 inspection, our technician will examine the readily accessible portions of the chimney, looking for any signs of damage or obstructions.
- Level 2 Inspection: this is a more thorough inspection we recommend if you’ve recently made changes to your heating system, if you’ve experienced any issues with your chimney or if you’re buying or selling a home. Our technician will examine all accessible portions of the chimney, including the chimney interior, attic, crawl space and roof.
- Level 3 Inspection: this is the most comprehensive inspection. We recommend it if a Level 1 or 2 inspection reveals any serious issues. During a Level 3 inspection, we remove parts of the chimney or surrounding structure to access hard-to-reach areas. This level of inspection is typically only necessary if there are serious safety concerns.
Recommended Chimney Inspections
When do you need a chimney inspection?
- If you haven’t had your chimney inspected in the past year, it’s time to schedule a Level 1 inspection.
- If you’ve installed a new heating appliance or made any other changes to your heating system, you should schedule a Level 2 inspection.
- If you’ve experienced a chimney fire, even a small one, you should schedule a Level 2 inspection to check for any damage.
- If your area has experienced severe weather, such as high winds or heavy snowfall, you should schedule a Level 2 inspection to check for any damage.
- If you’re buying or selling a home, you should schedule a Level 2 inspection to ensure that the chimney is in good condition and that there are no safety hazards.
- If there is visible damage to the chimney or surrounding area, such as cracks or missing bricks.
- If smoke backs up into your home when you use your fireplace or stove.
- If there are unusual smells coming from the chimney.
- If there is excessive creosote buildup in your chimney.
Why is it important to get your chimney inspected? There are a few key reasons:
- Regular chimney inspections can help prevent chimney fires.
- Chimney inspections can help identify any potential safety hazards.
- Regular chimney inspections can help prolong the life of your chimney and heating system.
A chimney inspection is an important part of maintaining your home’s heating system. If you haven’t had your chimney inspected in the past year, or if you’ve recently experienced any issues with your chimney, it’s time to schedule an inspection. Call Anglin’s Foundation and Masonry Repairs today to schedule your inspection.
Posted on behalf of John Anglin, Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
