Chimney inspection levels 1, 2 and 3, and which one you need
A Level 1 inspection is the yearly check for a chimney used the same way as before. A Level 2 is required when you buy or sell the home, change the appliance or fuel, or after a chimney fire or storm. A Level 3 is only for hidden hazards that the first two levels point to.
Level 1: the yearly check
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), a Level 1 inspection covers the readily accessible parts of the chimney exterior and interior, and confirms the chimney is free of obstructions and combustible deposits such as creosote. It is the right level for a chimney under continued service, under the same conditions as before.
In practice that means the fireplace or stove you have used for years, burning the same fuel, with nothing changed and no damage you know of.
Level 2: when something changes
A Level 2 inspection includes everything in a Level 1, plus the accessible parts of the chimney, attic and crawl space, and a look inside the flue by video scanning or other means. CSIA lists three situations where a Level 2 is called for:
- Any change to the system, such as a new insert, stove, liner or a switch in fuel
- The sale or transfer of the property
- A building fire, chimney fire, seismic event or weather event
For buyers in the Twin Cities this is the one to ask for before closing, because a standard home inspection usually does not look inside the full length of the flue.
Level 3: when a hidden problem is suspected
A Level 3 inspection looks at the construction and condition of concealed parts of the chimney. CSIA notes that removing components, such as the chimney crown or an interior chimney wall, is done only when necessary. It is recommended when a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection suggests a hidden hazard that cannot be checked any other way.
How to choose
Start from what changed. Nothing changed: Level 1. You are buying the house, adding a stove, or had a chimney fire or a bad storm: Level 2. A Level 3 is never the starting point; it follows a finding from one of the other two.
Quick answers
Is a camera inspection the same as a Level 2?
Video scanning of the flue is part of a Level 2, but a Level 2 also covers the accessible attic, crawl space and exterior areas around the chimney.
Do I need a Level 2 if I am selling my house?
CSIA's guidance is that a Level 2 inspection is required upon the sale or transfer of a property. Buyers often ask for one, and having it done ahead of time avoids surprises late in the sale.
Does a Level 3 mean tearing out my chimney?
No. It means opening only what is needed to see a concealed area that the earlier inspection flagged.
Sources
See how we handle each level on our chimney inspection page, or book online.
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