Chimney inspection in Cottage Grove, MN
A chimney inspection checks whether your fireplace, stove or furnace flue is sound, clear and safe to use. NFPA 211 says chimneys, fireplaces and vents should be inspected at least once a year. We do that yearly check, and deeper inspections when something changes.
Three levels of chimney inspection
NFPA 211 describes three levels. Which one you need depends on what is going on with the house, not on how thorough you want to be.
| Level | When it fits | What gets looked at |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Yearly check when nothing has changed and you use the system the same way | The parts you can reach without tools: firebox, damper, smoke chamber, the flue from the bottom and top, crown and cap |
| Level 2 | Buying or selling a house, switching fuel or appliance (for example a wood insert or a new furnace), after a chimney fire, storm or earthquake | Everything in Level 1, plus accessible attic, crawl space and basement areas, and a look inside the whole flue length |
| Level 3 | When a Level 1 or 2 points to a hidden problem that cannot be confirmed otherwise | Concealed areas, which can mean opening walls or removing parts of the chimney |
What we usually find in Cottage Grove chimneys
Cottage Grove went from about 800 people in 1950 to more than 13,000 by 1970, so a lot of the city's chimneys were built in one short window. On those 1950s and 1960s homes, the most common findings are cracked concrete crowns, open mortar joints near the top of the stack, and cracked clay flue tiles. Water is behind most of it, and freeze and thaw make it worse every winter.
Another one to ask about: a water heater left venting alone into an old masonry chimney after the furnace was replaced with a high-efficiency model that has its own vent. A flue sized for two appliances can be too big for one.
In homes with factory-built fireplaces and gas inserts, we look at the cap, the chase top, the vent connections and the clearances the manufacturer requires.
Buying a house in Cottage Grove?
A general home inspector usually looks at the chimney from the outside and the firebox from the front. A Level 2 chimney inspection looks inside the flue. If the listing says the fireplace "has not been used in years," that is a reason to look, not a reason to skip it.
What you get
- A walk-through of what we checked
- What is fine, what to watch, and what needs work now
- Repair options explained, without pressure
Chimney inspection questions
How often does a chimney need to be inspected?
At least once a year. That is the language of NFPA 211, the National Fire Protection Association standard for chimneys, fireplaces, vents and solid fuel-burning appliances. It applies to gas and oil vents as well as wood-burning fireplaces.
Do I need a Level 2 inspection to sell my house in Minnesota?
NFPA 211 lists the sale or transfer of a property as one of the events that calls for a Level 2 inspection. Whether a buyer or lender asks for one is up to them, but it is the level built for that situation.
What is the difference between a sweep and an inspection?
A sweep cleans the chimney. An inspection checks its condition. We usually do both on the same visit, since sweeping first gives a clearer view of the flue walls.
Should I get an inspection after a chimney fire?
Yes. A chimney fire can crack flue tiles and damage the mortar without obvious signs from the room. NFPA 211 lists an operating malfunction or external event, including a chimney fire, as a reason for a Level 2 inspection.
Schedule a chimney inspection
Tell us what you have and why you want it checked.
Related: chimney sweeping and chimney repair.