LEVEL 1 CHIMNEY INSPECTION
If your appliance or your venting system has not changed and you plan to use your system as you have in the past, then a Level 1 inspection is acceptable. In a Level 1 inspection, your Chimney Medic technician will examine the chimney exterior, interior and the appliance or chimney connection. Your technician will be looking for the basic soundness of the chimney structure and flue as well as the basic appliance installation and connections. The technician will also verify the chimney is free of obstruction and combustible deposits.
A Level 1 Inspection usually concludes with a thorough cleaning. Your Chimney Medic technician will also give you a report on what he found during the inspection as well as any recommendations to ensure the ongoing safe and efficient operation of your system.
LEVEL 2 CHIMNEY INSPECTION
A Level 2 inspection is required when any modifications have been made to your system such as 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 a heating appliance. A Level 2 inspection is also required upon the sale or transfer of a property or after some event that is likely to have caused damage to the chimney. Building fires, chimney fires, seismic events as well as weather events are all examples when a Level 2 inspection is warranted.
A Level 2 inspection includes all of the visual examination included in a Level 1 inspection, plus some additional work. In a Level 2 inspection, a video camera or other device may be used to examine the flue and check for cracks or damage to the joints in the chimney’s structure. The Chimney Medic provides a written report and recommendations to address any issues discovered during the inspection.