What Is a Level 1 Chimney Inspection?

It used to be when you had a chimney service technician inspect your fireplace, stove or venting system, they determined the scope of work that was performed. However, recently, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) developed minimum chimney standards that no longer leave the tasks performed during a home heating appliance inspection up to the tech. Now, there are three levels of inspections designated by the NFPA.

In this article, we will explain what a Level 1 inspection includes as outlined by the NFPA and the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

A Level 1 chimney inspection is the most common type of inspection. A Level 1 inspection is recommended if you use your chimney regularly and it’s not experiencing any problems.

During a Level 1 inspection, a chimney service professional, like those at T.J.’s Chimney Service, will examine the readily-accessible portions of your chimney’s interior and exterior. What we mean by readily accessible is – the technician won’t require any tools to gain access to your chimney to perform his inspection.

The technician will perform a basic inspection of your chimney structure, such as the joints, flue liner, connectors, chimney crown and interior walls – anything that’s not hidden behind a door, panel or other covering. During his inspection, the tech may use some common tools, such as a screwdriver, pliers and/or a flashlight, to perform his examination. But don’t worry, he’ll make sure no damage is done to your chimney structure or finishes.

He will check the fundamental installation of your fireplace as well as the clearance level between the firebox area and any combustible materials, like the wood in your fireplace mantle. He will examine inside your chimney to make sure no obstructions exist from leaves, twigs or animal nests. And he will determine if your chimney has any creosote buildup and the stage or type of buildup, which will determine what he needs to do to clean your chimney.

At T.J.’s Chimney Service, we perform Level 1 chimney inspections to help ensure the safety of you, your family and your home. Contact us today to schedule your Level 1 chimney inspection and cleaning today. We service homes in the Greenfield, Ind., area and surrounding counties.