To prevent potential fire hazards, it’s crucial to have your chimney inspected annually. While some homeowners think they can perform this service themselves, this is not recommended. Certified technicians have the knowledge and expertise to recognize safety hazards, code violations, and potential problems that an average homeowner may not.

There are three levels of chimney inspections:

Level 1: This is primarily a visual inspection of the exposed components of the chimney system. It’s recommended that you get this inspection annually, regardless of how frequently you use your chimney.

Level 2: This inspection is needed when there may be a problem after the level 1 inspection, or when you are selling your home. It involves sending a specialized camera down your chimney to take video and still images of the interior and provide a more in-depth look into any potential problems.

Level 3: This inspection is only to be done if there was a major catastrophic event, such as an earthquake, tornado or chimney fire. It consists of levels 1 and 2, in addition to an inspection of the interior venting components, which usually requires removing the chimney walls to access the damage.

If you haven’t had your annual level 1 inspection done yet, please contact a certified expert such as US Chimney to ensure the safety of your home and family. Don’t wait until there’s a problem to get your chimney inspected.