As the end of winter approaches, many people begin thinking about buying or selling a home. Real estate blossoms in the spring and summer months as homeowners pack up and move to new places. With all the excitement that comes with buying or selling a home also comes a lot of headaches. Inspections are a critical step in buying a home, and can be complicated by a chimney. Many home inspectors miss potential problems when inspecting a home’s fireplace and chimney system. If you are looking to buy a home, be sure a CSIA Certified professional has properly inspected the chimney. If you are selling, have a seal of approval from one of our professionals can help expedite the selling process and reveal any issues that may need to be addressed before listing.
When You Need a Level II Inspection Performed
There are many times when a Level II inspection is required. Basically, when there has been any change to the system a Level II inspection will be required. Changes such as these can include a change in fuel type, changes to the flue (including shape and material), or the addition of an appliance of a dissimilar type, input rating or efficiency. A Level II Inspection is also required upon the transfer or sale of a home. As mentioned above, CSIA Certified chimney sweeps, such as those at Brickliners Custom Masonry & Chimney Services, are much better at finding problems with a chimney than the average home inspector. Lastly, if anything has malfunctioned within the chimney or an external event, such as a fire, has caused damage to the chimney a Level II inspection will be required.
What You Get with a Level II Inspection
There are 3 levels of inspections and a Level II inspection includes everything that is included in a Level I inspection, plus a more detailed inspection of the chimney. A Level I inspection includes an overview of the readily accessible parts of your chimney. So, this would include setting up ladders to inspect the roof flashing, fireplace, firebox, damper, flue opening, and top of the chimney. This type of inspection is performed during our annual inspections and cleanings.
A Level II inspection is much more in depth than an Level I. Besides the accessible areas of your chimney, a Level II inspection includes a through look at areas such as attics, crawl spaces, and basements. Inspectors will also take a closer look at the portions of the appliance and chimney connections as well as the flue. A video scanner will be used to assess the structural soundness of the joints of the flue and determine if the material and sizing are appropriate for the appliances used. For the areas included in the Level I and Level II inspection, proper clearance of combustibles and the condition and construction of the chimney system will be evaluated.
If you are in the market to buy or sell a home and need to get a Level II inspection performed, give us a call today. Our trained technicians are properly certified to perform these types of inspections and will work to meet your deadlines.
