In order to ensure that everything is working properly in your chimney and fireplace system, you need to have a professional chimney inspection. Several hidden hazards may be lurking inside the interior walls of your chimney, and you can count on Ashbusters to find anything that could cause problems when you light a fire in your fireplace. We are proud to serve the Charleston area with superior professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation services from our trained and experienced technicians who are certified by industry leaders like the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Over our years of working on chimneys, one of the most frequently asked questions we have been asked concerns the three different levels of chimney inspections. We would like to tell you more about these levels to help you know which one your chimney needs.
LEVEL 1
When Ashbusters comes to sweep your chimney each year, a Level 1 chimney inspection is included with this service from our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps. The most basic level of inspection, we will perform a visual check of the readily accessible parts of the interior and the exterior of the chimney. We will be looking to see if anything is blocking the flue, if everything is properly connected between the fireplace appliance and the chimney, and if any of the bricks and mortar joints of the structure have suffered from any damage.
LEVEL 2
When you have updated or made changes to your fireplace since your last chimney inspection, you will need to schedule a Level 2 chimney inspection with Ashbusters. This level includes checking all of the readily accessible parts of your chimney as well as the attic, basement, and crawl space. Since this level is also required when you are buying or selling a home and after your chimney has suffered through a chimney fire, earthquake, or a severe weather event, we will be videotaping every inch of the inside of your chimney so that we can get a close-up view of any possible damage. In the case that we do find problems, we will provide you with pictures that you can give to your home insurance agent to file a claim or to your realtor to negotiate your contract.
LEVEL 3
If Ashbusters suspects serious hazards are involved, we will recommend that your chimney needs a Level 3 inspection to find the source of the problem. This level inspection requires the removal of chimney components such as the crown and interior walls, so we will only recommend this level if your chimney is at risk of being a dangerous safety hazard.
Make sure your chimney and fireplace system will function safety and efficiently by scheduling your annual professional chimney inspection with Ashbusters. Contact us today to make your appointment. We can help you determine the level of inspection your chimney needs.