If you only get one chimney service done every year, this is the one. A Level 1 inspection is the standard annual checkup industry guidelines recommend for any chimney that's been used under normal conditions, with no recent changes to the appliance, fuel type, or venting. It's the routine visit that catches small problems — a hairline crown crack, a missing cap, early creosote buildup — while they're still inexpensive to fix, instead of finding out the hard way partway through a your area winter.
We keep scheduling fast across every city we serve. Whether you're in a historic bungalow, a mid-century ranch, or a newer build, a Level 1 inspection covers the same ground and takes the same straightforward approach: a visual and physical check of everything you can safely access without specialized tools, followed by a written report of what we found.
What a Level 1 Inspection Covers
- Flue interior. A visual check for creosote buildup, cracking, and obstruction along the readily accessible portions of the liner.
- Firebox & damper. Confirming the damper opens, closes, and seals properly, and the firebox shows no cracking or heat damage.
- Exterior masonry & crown. A check from the ground and roofline for cracking, spalling, or shifting brick.
- Cap & flashing. Verifying the cap and roofline flashing are intact and keeping water out of the flue.
When You'd Need More Than a Level 1
A Level 1 inspection is designed for chimneys in ongoing, unchanged use. If you've had a chimney fire, you're buying or selling the home, you're changing the fuel type or relining the flue, or anything about the setup has changed since last year, the right call is a Level 2 inspection instead — it adds a full video camera scan of the flue interior to look at what a visual check alone can't reach. We'll always tell you honestly which one your situation actually calls for.
Get a Free Inspection with the Winter Special
FAQs
For most homes, yes. Industry guidelines recommend a Level 1 inspection every year for a chimney that's used under normal conditions with no recent changes to the appliance, venting, or how the fireplace is used. It's the routine, standard checkup that keeps a healthy chimney healthy.
A Level 1 inspection covers the readily accessible parts of the chimney — the interior flue, firebox, damper, and exterior masonry from the ground and roofline — without any special tools. A Level 2 inspection adds a video camera scan of the full flue interior and is required after a chimney fire, before buying or selling a home, or after any change to the appliance, fuel type, or relining.
A Level 1 inspection is included free with our $199 winter sweep special, or available on its own as a flat-fee visit. There's no separate travel charge or inspection fee added once the technician is on site.