What Happens During a Chimney Inspection?
What a professional chimney inspection covers and what you can expect.
Reviewed by John Freeman, chimney and fireplace professional with 20+ years of field experience.
Last updated
Short Answer
A chimney inspection is a documented look at every part of the system that can be reached: the firebox, damper, flue, cap, crown, flashing, and exterior masonry. It checks for blockages, creosote, damage, and signs of water, and ends with a written summary. Our $99 inspection includes a visual inspection of the chimney exterior and interior, photos of significant concerns, and repair recommendations if needed. NFPA 211 calls for chimneys to be inspected at least once a year.
What Is Checked
The inspection covers each part of the system that can be reached:
- Firebox: the condition of the firebrick and mortar, and any cracks or damage
- Damper: whether it opens fully, closes, and moves freely
- Flue: blockages, creosote level, and the condition of the liner
- Cap and crown: cracks, missing parts, and signs of water entry
- Exterior masonry and roofline: mortar joints, brick condition, water damage, and flashing
How the Flue Is Examined
For a routine inspection, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) describes the standard method this way: open the damper and use a light to look up the chimney and into the flue, confirm that nothing is blocking it, and judge how much buildup there is. CSIA puts the sweeping threshold at 1/8 inch of buildup. Where the flue has offsets, a brush or a camera may be needed to see the whole run.
The Three NFPA 211 Inspection Levels
NFPA 211 defines three levels of chimney inspection, and the level that applies depends on the circumstances that prompt the inspection.
| Level | When NFPA 211 calls for it | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Annual inspections, routine cleanings, and replacing an appliance with a similar one | The readily accessible parts of the chimney exterior and interior, and the accessible parts of the connected appliance and chimney connection. Confirms the flues are free of obstruction and combustible deposits. |
| Level 2 | Adding or changing an appliance, before relining a flue, on sale or transfer of the property, and after a fire, weather, or seismic event | Everything in Level 1, plus all accessible areas including attics, crawl spaces, and basements, with video scanning or other means to see inside the flues. |
| Level 3 | When a hazard is suspected that cannot be evaluated without access to concealed areas | Everything in Levels 1 and 2, plus concealed areas, which may involve removing parts of the building or chimney, but only as needed to gain access. |
Asking for a Specific Level
If an inspection is being requested for a sale, a lender, or an insurer, say so when you book, so the scope can be confirmed beforehand. NFPA 211 also covers the case where the requested level cannot be completed: the inspector records the level actually completed and the reasons the higher level was not. That keeps the written report honest about what was and was not seen.
What You Receive
You receive a written summary of what was found, photos of significant concerns, and recommendations sorted by urgency: what should be addressed now and what can reasonably wait. Repair work is quoted in writing after the inspection, and nothing is done without your approval. There is no obligation to schedule any work.
Cost and Credit
The inspection is $99. If you then choose qualifying cleaning or repair work of $349 or more, the full fee is credited toward that work. Travel charges, where they apply, are not credited. In the core service area there is no travel fee. Rogue River and Shady Cove add $29, and Grants Pass adds $49.
What an Inspection Cannot See
An inspection covers what can be reached and seen. CSIA separates readily accessible areas, which need no tools or ladders, from accessible ones, which may need a ladder or common hand tools. Neither includes removing permanently attached parts of the building. Anything concealed behind walls or inside the chimney structure calls for a higher-level inspection, which is what Level 3 means in NFPA 211.
How to Prepare
- Clear the area around the fireplace or stove so there is room to work
- Know what the appliance is: open fireplace, insert, stove, or gas
- Note the symptoms, such as smoke, smell, water, or noises, and when each happens
- Have any past inspection or repair paperwork handy, and know when the chimney was last swept
Sources
- NFPA 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances
- NFPA 211, Chapter 15: Inspection of Existing Chimneys (committee input for the next edition)
- CSIA Standard Operating Procedure: Level 1 Inspection, Masonry Fireplace
- CSIA Standard Operating Procedure: Level 2 Inspection, Masonry Chimney
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