Chimney Inspection in Central Florida

Level 1, 2 or 3? Here is what each inspection covers and which one your situation calls for.

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(813) 797-5797

The Right Level, Not the Biggest

Most homes need a Level 1 inspection. We only recommend a Level 2 or 3 when your situation calls for it.

Masonry and Prefab

Brick chimneys and factory-built metal chimneys each have their own weak points. We inspect for both.

Findings You Can Read

Plain-language findings with photos, so you know what is fine, what needs attention, and what is urgent.

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Why Inspect a Chimney You Barely Use?

NFPA 211, the national standard for chimneys, fireplaces and vents, calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits and correct clearances. That applies in Florida too, even for a fireplace lit only a few times a winter.

Light use changes what we find, not whether there is something to find. In Florida, the most common issues in a rarely used chimney are water damage, rusted dampers and caps, and nests from birds, animals and wasps. Factory-built fireplaces add chase covers that rust through and refractory panels that crack. None of these depend on how often you burn, and most are much cheaper to fix when caught early.

The Three Inspection Levels

Chimney inspections are grouped into three levels, based on NFPA 211. Each level includes everything in the level below it.

• Level 1: A check of the readily accessible parts of the chimney, fireplace and flue. Right for a system that is in regular use, with no changes and no known problems.

• Level 2: Everything in Level 1, plus a camera inspection of the inside of the flue and a look at accessible areas such as the attic. Called for when the system changes, when a property is sold, or after a chimney fire, a storm or another event that could have caused damage.

• Level 3: Removing parts of the building or chimney to reach concealed areas. Only needed when a serious hidden problem is suspected and a Level 2 cannot answer the question.

Which Inspection Do You Need?

• Annual check of a fireplace you use as usual: Level 1

• Buying or selling a home: Level 2

• Adding a fireplace insert or wood stove, changing fuel, or relining: Level 2

• After a hurricane, tropical storm, lightning strike or fallen limb: Level 2

• After a chimney fire, or if you suspect one: Level 2

• A leak that keeps coming back after repairs: often Level 2

• A Level 2 found signs of serious concealed damage: Level 3

If you are not sure, call and describe the situation. We will tell you which level fits, and we will not sell you a deeper inspection than you need.

Buying a Home in Florida

A general home inspection usually looks at the chimney from the outside and at the firebox, but typically does not include a camera inspection of the flue. Cracked flue tiles, liner gaps and hidden water damage are easy to miss that way. With a Level 2 inspection before closing, you know what you are buying, and any repairs can be part of the negotiation. Seasonal homes that sit empty for months deserve the same attention, since nests, water and rust build up while no one is watching.

What We Look at During an Inspection

• The firebox: firebrick and mortar, or refractory panels in a prefab unit

• The damper: operation, rust and seal

• The smoke chamber and the flue: creosote, blockages, and cracks or gaps in the liner

• The chimney top: crown, cap, and chase cover on factory-built chimneys

• The roof joint: flashing and sealant

• The chimney walls: mortar joints, brick, block, stucco or chase siding

• Clearances to nearby wood framing and trim, where visible

• Signs of water entry, animals or a past chimney fire

What Affects the Cost of an Inspection

• The level. A Level 2 takes longer and uses camera equipment. A Level 3 depends on what has to be opened up.

• The number of flues and appliances. A chimney serving two fireplaces is two flues to check.

• Access: chimney height, roof pitch and roof type, and attic access.

• Whether the flue has to be swept first. A camera cannot see the liner through heavy buildup.

When You Do Not Need a Deeper Inspection

If your chimney had a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection within the past year, nothing about the system has changed, and there has been no storm damage, chimney fire or sale, a Level 1 annual check is enough. A Level 3 is rare. Most chimneys never need one. If you also have a dryer, ask us to check the vent while we are there; long dryer vent runs, common in condos and townhomes, collect lint faster than short ones. See our dryer vent cleaning page. To book an inspection, call (813) 797-5797.

Areas we serve: our offices in Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Riverview, Spring Hill, Lakeland and Orlando, plus the Tampa Bay area, greater Orlando, Sarasota, Venice, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers and Naples.

★ FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

At least once a year, according to NFPA 211, even if you rarely use the fireplace. Sweeping is done when the inspection shows it is needed.

No. A sweep removes creosote and debris. An inspection checks the condition of the whole system. They are often done in the same visit, and sometimes the flue must be swept before a camera inspection can see the liner clearly.

A Level 2 inspection is the recommended level when a property is sold or transferred. Whether a buyer or lender asks for one is up to them, but it gives both sides a clear picture of the chimney before closing.

You get photos and an explanation of what we found, with urgent issues separated from those that can wait. Any repair is quoted separately. You decide what to do and when.

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Why Homeowners Call Us for Chimney Inspections

The right inspection for your situation

An inspection should answer your question, whether that is “is it safe to use?” or “what am I buying?”

We recommend the inspection level your situation actually calls for.

We inspect masonry and factory-built systems for their own common failures.

You get plain-language findings with photos, not jargon.

How a Chimney Inspection Works

From the firebox to the top of the chimney

The level of inspection sets how deep we go. The basic sequence is the same.

Choose the Level: We ask about your situation and recommend the level that fits it.

Firebox and Damper: Condition of the firebox, damper operation and the smoke chamber.

Flue: Blockages, buildup and liner condition, by camera for a Level 2.

Chimney Exterior: Crown, cap, flashing, walls or chase, and chase cover.

Accessible Spaces: For a Level 2, the attic and other accessible areas the chimney passes through.

Findings: What is fine, what needs attention, and what is urgent, with photos.