Trust Our Team for Quality Chimney Camera Inspections
Chimney camera inspections offer a great way to quickly assess the condition of a chimney without having to disassemble it or simply make educated guesses as to what may be causing any issues. They can save significant amounts of time and money for property owners, quickly accessing the damage in your flue, so that needed repairs can be determined with minimal interruption.
That said, a chimney camera is only as good as its operator. It takes training not only to use the camera correctly when scanning a chimney, but to know what you are looking for to make appropriate assessments. In addition, chimney cameras cannot see everything – they cannot look through walls or always see the underlying brickwork or other materials – which means having an experts eyes on the situation is a must.
This is why it is highly recommended that these scans only be done by certified chimney professionals who know how to use the technology properly and interpret results accurately.
What is a Level 1 Chimney Inspection? How Does It Compare to a Level 2 Chimney Inspection?
A Level 1 chimney inspection is a visual diagnostic of the condition of your chimney and venting system. It helps to identify any present or potential problems that could be hazardous to the home, non-functional, or inoperable.
A certified chimney technician will inspect accessible portions of the fireplaces, flues, vents, dampers, and other parts of the chimney structure. This inspection also includes close inspections of viewable areas including interior and exterior components, such as mortar joints, chase covers, and connecting pipes.
An inspection is recommended at least once each year to ensure that any hazards or issues due to weather events, excess water, or animal intrusion are found and/or prevented. Additionally, this ensures that you are getting safer and more efficient operation out of your fireplace and chimney system.
A Level 2 Chimney Inspection is a more thorough inspection than a Level 1 and is typically required when changes have been made to the chimney or damages have been noted. These can include a change of fuel type, or if there are visible deterioration, combustible deposits, water leakage, or any other issues with the integrity of the chimney.
During a Level 2 inspection, the chimney technician must access areas within the chimney structure not available during a Level 1 inspection. This includes areas such as flue liners, firebox walls, the smoke chamber, and the damper area. To aid with this, the technician will use a camera and video equipment to inspect these inaccessible areas.
After conducting an in-depth analysis of the system, the techs will make recommendations and provide information on any problems that may need to be addressed by repairs or maintenance to get the chimney and venting system back in top shape.
So, which is right for me?
When comparing the two levels of inspection, you can clearly see that the level 2 Inspection will be more thorough and accurate than the level 1. If you don’t use your system very much and have not had a lot of weather events, a level 1 should be all you need. If you’ve had damages or changes to the system, we highly recommend a level 2 camera inspection, as we’ll be able to see more of the flue and inner structure and get a more accurate assessment.
We’ve Got Your Chimney Needs Covered
Whether you need a level 1 or level 2 inspection, Chimney Masters is here for you. Schedule an appointment with us online or call us at 301-972-9158 to get started.
It’s important to schedule your chimney inspection annually and our chimney and fireplace services crews are standing by to help.