The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is the nation’s governing body when it comes to standards set for chimney inspections. The NFPA outlines three levels of chimney inspections, depending on what circumstances are occurring that have triggered the inspection.
In general, the greater the number level of the inspection, the more detailed the inspection will be. We provide Level 1 and Level 2 chimney inspections.
There are an estimated 25,000 chimney fires annually in the US, accounting for nearly 125 million dollars in property loss. NFPA reports that confined fires (13% of all home structure fires) were responsible for a whopping 87% of residential building heating system-related fire deaths and 90% of heating system-related fire injuries.
Take these chimney fire statistics into consideration:
We will check for one big culprit of chimney fires—creosote, which is a thick, gummy substance that’s a byproduct of burning wood. Creosote causes most chimney fires, and a chimney’s creosote buildup can cause thousands of dollars in property damage or worse.
Level 1 Chimney Inspection is the very minimum requirement for any appliance or venting system. It is the most common inspection and included with each full home inspection.
Level 1 Chimney Inspection Includes…
A Level 2 inspection is required when any changes are made to the system. Changes can include a change in the fuel type, changes to the shape of, or material in, the flue (I.E. Relining), or the replacement or addition of an appliance of a dissimilar type, input rating or efficiency.
A Level 2 inspection is recommended upon the sale or transfer of a property or after an operating malfunction or external event that is likely to have caused damage to the chimney. Building fires, chimney fires, seismic events as well as weather events are all indicators that this level of inspection is warranted. A Level 2 inspection is a more in-depth inspection than a Level 1 inspection. Level 2 inspection includes everything in a Level 1 inspection, plus the accessible portions of the chimney exterior and interior including attics, crawl spaces.
The Level 2 inspection is out of the scope of a home inspection and is an add-on service or a stand-alone service.
Level 2 Chimney Inspection Includes…
A Level 3 Chimney Inspection is usually required when the construction of the chimney is necessary for the continued or renewed use of the chimney due to potentially unseen defects. The Level 3 inspection could include opening or removing an interior wall to access hidden parts of the chimney. This level of inspection normally occurs when a more serious problem has been identified and a method of repair needs to be determined.
We do not perform Level 3 inspections. The results of the Level 2 inspection will determine if further evaluation is necessary from a certified chimney sweep company or contractor.
DS Home Inspection Services, LLC provides Water Quality Testing Services to clients across Fort Washington, Temple Hills, Oxon Hills, Accokeek, Clinton, Hyattsville, District Heights, Capitol Heights, Crofton, Laurel, Brandywine, Bowie, Bethesda, Rockville, La Plata, Waldorf, White Plains, Bryans Road, Hanover, Baltimore, Parkville, Towson, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Herndon, Lorton, Vienna, Falls Church, Woodbridge, Virginia, Ashburn.