Chimney Inspection: When, Why, and What is it?

Lighting up the hearth on a cold winter's day is always an inviting idea, but it may not always be a safe one.

While things such as creosote build-up and wild animal nests are number one on a hazard list, there's one that isn't usually thought of: chimney collapse.

Chimney collapse could always be a risk in the instance of buying a new home, experiencing natural disasters such as tornadoes or earthquakes, or simply the progression of time. Inspection of a chimney is recommended to be conducted by a trained chimney sweep in Hawaii that are accustomed to chimney structure and location-specific codes.

There are three levels of chimney inspection that vary depending on your needs:

Level 1 - A level one inspection includes a visual inspection of accessible portions of your chimney and portions of the interior and exterior. These inspections are routine and are ideally performed once per year, before a homeowner lights the first fire of the season.

Level 2 - In the event of a hurricane, tornado, fire, or other natural disaster that may upset the structure of your chimney, a level two inspection may be conducted to ensure how structurally sound the chimney is. This involves all the examination points of a level one inspection plus the evaluation of attic crawlspaces and the chimney floo. A level two inspection is also required before a house is sold to a new owner.

Level 3 - The most comprehensive inspection performed by chimney sweep companies, a level three inspection is also one that may be destructive. Along with a inclusion of levels one and two, this includes a possibility that parts of the wall or chimney itself may have to be removed, or even rebuilding the entire chimney. This is only performed when serious damage to the structure is suspected.