When did you last schedule your chimney inspection? The majority of homeowners ignore chimney inspections until facing an urgency. The safety of your fireplace and chimney system requires regular chimney examinations. The most extensive and vital among different chimney inspection levels is the Level 2 chimney inspection. It serves as an essential evaluation, which requires understanding its purpose in detail. Let’s explore this concept in this blog.
What Is A Level 2 Chimney Inspection
The essential query we need to answer here is what constitutes a level 2 chimney inspection. The complete examination of your chimney system takes place during level 2 inspection. It evaluates both exterior visible chimney components, internal structures, venting elements, and safety aspects. It is recommended when changes occur through renovations, adding new appliances, or buying or selling homes.
Vital Aspects Of Level 2 Chimney Inspections
The following main aspects are included in this inspection:
- Interior Chimney Scan: A camera examines the inside of the chimney for blockages, cracks, or other damages.
- During the examination, the inspector inspects the flue system to confirm its proper condition and the absence of any hindrances.
- Flue Examination: The flue is the duct that carries the smoke away. It is checked for any damage or blockage.
- Safety Checks: They form an essential part of the inspection, which verifies proper ventilation of your chimney to prevent carbon monoxide from accumulating inside.
- Structural Inspection: The structural integrity of the chimney, from its crown to masonry and cap, is carried out.
A level 2 inspection requires deeper examination than level 1 because level 1 involves checking accessible areas with only basic visual observation.
When Do You Need A Level 2 Chimney Inspection
A level 2 chimney inspection should be performed under any of the following circumstances:
- Conducting a level 2 chimney inspection is a good idea when buying or selling a home with chimneys. It provides clear information about the state of the chimney system.
- Perform it after installing a new wood stove or gas fireplace.
- It will reveal hidden damage your chimney sustained after unfortunate events like fires, earthquakes, or storms.
- If your previous inspection was long ago, conducting a preventative check allows you to steer clear of potentially serious problems.
Why Is a Level 2 Chimney Inspection Important
Let’s discuss why you should go for this inspection and how it is different from a regular chimney examination.
- Detecting Hidden Problems: A Level 2 inspection uses camera systems to reveal invisible and hard-to-reach parts of the chimney. Through cameras, the inspectors discover concealed damages like cracks, creosote accumulations, and clogged flues, which present safety risks.
- Prevents Fires And Carbon Monoxide: A damaged or blocked chimney leads to hazardous conditions such as chimney fires and possible carbon monoxide leaks. An extensive examination eliminates the risks of deadly situations.
- Proper Functioning: A properly operating chimney requires regular maintenance. A level 2 inspection validates that all parts of the system work as they normally should.
- Peace Of Mind: The inspection allows homeowners to be at ease since it identifies and prevents all potential chimney-related safety risks.
What Happens During A Level 2 Chimney Inspection
Here’s what you can expect from this inspection.
- The inspection starts by examining the chimney’s exterior. The inspector looks for all visible faults on the chimney’s crown, cap, and structure.
- A special camera allows inspectors to examine the chimney flue through a small feeding instrument. The device enables inspectors to identify problems such as hidden cracks, blockages, and structural damages that would stay undetected by the naked eye.
- During the safety evaluation, the inspector verifies proper ventilation while investigating potential safety threats from gas accumulation in the chimney structure.
After the inspection concludes, you will receive a comprehensive report summarizing examination results. The inspector suggests various options to address the issues discovered during the inspection.
Common Issues Found During A Level 2 Inspection
The level 2 chimney inspection reveals several issues to the inspector.
- Chimney fires can develop because wood combustion creates the combustible substance creosote.
- The existence of cracks in chimney liners creates a path for poisonous carbon monoxide gas to enter your house.
- Debris, such as bird nests, soot, and other substances, can block the flue and impede proper venting.
- External weather conditions can cause chimney materials to rust or become destroyed as time passes.
How Often Should You Have A Level 2 Inspection
Usually, homeowners need level 2 chimney inspections when buying, selling, or modifying a home, but it’s a good idea to have one once every 2-3 years.
Other Levels of Chimney Inspections
Multiple levels of chimney assessment match different homeowner requirements.
- Level 1: It includes a visual assessment of all easily reachable areas.
- Level 3: The most detailed chimney inspection, it occurs when inspectors suspect substantial problems. The inspection procedure might require partial chimney dismantling to perform an evaluation.
Conclusion
Getting a level 2 chimney inspection is a key requirement for home maintenance during property buying and selling, and any chimney system modifications. A thorough inspection ensures the safety and durability of your chimney so that potential dangers like fires and carbon monoxide poisoning remain at bay.
The Level 2 Chimney Inspection is a valuable investment for home buyers and anyone who wants to confirm their chimney operates correctly.
Clients seeking dependable chimney inspections can find trustworthy services at 1st Rate Inspections. Our professional staff performs complete level 2 chimney inspections to provide safety assurance for your home. Schedule your inspection right now and avoid major problems. Our team is waiting to hear from you.
