Chimney Inspection and Chimney Sweep Near Me: NFPA 211 Levels, Video Scans, and Creosote Removal
Before any repair or appliance upgrade, book a chimney inspection near me aligned to NFPA 211. A Level 1 inspection applies when nothing has changed and you’ve had regular service: the sweep examines accessible portions of the chimney exterior and interior, the appliance and connection, and the flue, and removes soot and loose creosote. A Level 2 inspection is required for real estate transactions, after a chimney fire, severe weather, or when changing an appliance or fuel; it adds accessible attic, crawl, and basement areas and mandates a video scan of the flue to document cracked tiles, offsets, missing mortar joints, and blockages. Level 3 goes further when concealed hazards are suspected, potentially opening walls or the chimney structure to access hidden areas. A professional sweep should provide a written report with photos or video, measurements, and codes referenced, plus a cleaning that includes the flue, smoke chamber, smoke shelf, firebox, and appliance connector. For wood‑burners, the sweep will also assess creosote stage: Stage 1 (sooty) and Stage 2 (flaky) creosote brush out; Stage 3 (glaze) may require mechanical or chemical treatment and often signals burning wet wood or smoldering fires and poor draft. Expect tarps and containment, rotary or hand brushes, soot control (HEPA vacs), and careful reassembly. Make this an annual routine if you burn regularly; U.S. fire departments and insurers commonly recommend inspection and sweeping once per year regardless of fuel type, and more often if you use your system heavily.