Level 1, 2 and 3 Chimney Inspections: What Crestwood Homeowners Are Actually Buying
By Dan Joel, Elite Sweepers Inc.
When someone calls to book an inspection, the useful first question is not how thorough they want it to be. It is what changed. Inspections are defined in three levels, and the level that applies is determined by the situation rather than chosen from a menu.
Level 1: the routine annual
The short answer: readily accessible parts, visually examined, when nothing has changed.
This is the inspection that accompanies a normal annual sweep on a system you have been using the same way, with no known problems and no changes to the appliance. We examine the readily accessible portions of the chimney exterior and interior and the accessible parts of the appliance and connection, verifying that the structure is sound, the flue is clear of obstruction and combustible deposits, and there is nothing evidently wrong.
For most households, most years, this is the correct and sufficient inspection.
Level 2: when something has changed
The short answer: everything in level 1, plus accessible areas like attics and crawl spaces, plus a video scan of the flue interior.
Level 2 applies when circumstances make the hidden condition of the system relevant. The recognized triggers are:
- A change to the system: a new appliance, a different fuel, or a change in the shape or material of the flue.
- A property sale or transfer, where nobody can vouch for the system’s history.
- After an event that could have damaged the chimney: a chimney fire, a building fire, an earthquake, or severe weather.
The defining addition is the camera scan, which is what allows the liner to be evaluated along its whole length rather than inferred. Our chimney inspection page covers what that involves.
Level 3: when access has to be opened up
The short answer: the same, plus removing parts of the building or chimney to reach concealed areas.
Level 3 is not a routine service and nobody should be selling it as one. It applies when a level 1 or 2 inspection has raised a serious concern about a hazard that cannot be evaluated any other way, and confirming it requires removing masonry, a chimney chase wall, or part of the surrounding structure. It is destructive by definition, so it happens only when there is a specific question that genuinely needs answering.
How to know which one you need
The short answer: nothing changed means level 1; something changed means level 2.
That single distinction covers nearly every case. If you burned normally last winter, nothing unusual happened, and you are booking your annual visit, level 1 is right. If you are buying the house, installing an insert, switching what the flue serves, or you suspect a chimney fire or storm damage, level 2 is right and level 1 would not answer the question you actually have.
The one we would push back on is a level 1 before a purchase. The whole reason for inspecting a chimney you are about to own is that you have no history for it, and a visual check of accessible parts cannot tell you the condition of the liner.
What we will tell you
The short answer: which level your situation calls for, and the price, before we start.
We would rather book you the level you need than upsell one you do not, and if a level 1 turns up something that warrants going further, we tell you what we found and what it would take to answer it properly. Prices for every service are published on our pricing page. Routine cleaning is covered on our chimney sweeping page, and the full service list shows what else can be combined into a visit.
For local scheduling, see our chimney service in Crestwood. Elite Sweepers Inc is insured and bonded and works seven days a week, 7 AM to 7 PM. Call (708) 432-3977.
Inspection Level Questions
What is included in a level 1 chimney inspection?
A visual examination of the readily accessible portions of the chimney exterior and interior and the accessible parts of the appliance and connection, confirming the structure is sound and the flue is clear of obstructions and combustible deposits.
When do I need a level 2 inspection?
When something has changed or something happened: a new appliance or fuel, a change to the flue, a property sale, or after a chimney fire, building fire or severe weather event. It adds accessible attic and crawl space areas and a video scan of the flue interior.
Do I need a chimney inspection when buying a house?
A level 2 is the appropriate one, because you have no history for the system. A general home inspection typically does not include a camera scan of the flue, which is where the costly problems tend to hide.
What is a level 3 inspection?
One that requires removing parts of the building or chimney to reach concealed areas. It is destructive and is only done when a lower-level inspection has raised a serious concern that cannot be evaluated any other way.
Is an inspection included with a sweep?
A level 1 inspection is normally part of a routine sweep visit, since a clean flue is far easier to evaluate accurately. A level 2 with a camera scan is a separate scope and we tell you the price before starting.
How long does a chimney inspection take?
A level 1 alongside a sweep typically adds a modest amount to the visit. A level 2 takes longer because of the camera scan and the additional areas examined, and complex or multi-flue chimneys take longer still.
Will an inspection tell me if I need relining?
A level 2 will, because the camera scan shows the liner condition along its full length. A level 1 cannot answer that reliably, since the liner is not visible from the readily accessible areas.
How often should a chimney be inspected?
Annually, regardless of how much you burn, because caps, crowns, liners and flashing deteriorate whether the fireplace is used or not. Additional inspections are warranted whenever the system changes or an event occurs.
Published September 25, 2026
