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Things About Your Chimney A Home Inspector Can Miss

When you are buying or selling a home, one of the most important steps in this process is the home inspection. However, if the home has a chimney and fireplace system, you should know that this inspection does not sufficiently examine its condition. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends having a Level 2 chimney inspection of any home involved in a real-estate transaction.

Atlas Chimney provides all levels of professional chimney inspection services by our Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified technicians. This way, you know can trust us to tell you exactly how safe the chimney really is! Home inspectors must be trained and certified in their field. However, they are not required to undergo professional training on how to inspect chimneys and fireplaces. Unfortunately, this means they could miss a potential chimney issue! We would like to tell you about a couple of things about a chimney that the CSIA noticed were missed by a home inspector.

CHIMNEY HEIGHT

What is one of the main reasons why a Level 2 professional chimney inspection is required when buying or selling a home? It’s to make sure the chimney and fireplace system meets all local building codes and standards, including the correct height of the chimney. The International Residential Code (IRC) enforces the 3-2-10’ chimney height rule. This means all chimneys should be at least two feet higher than any part of the building within 10 feet. In addition, is not less than three feet above the point where the chimney meets the roof. Home inspectors do not always check this requirement. This is unfortunate, because its essential for your chimney to draft properly!

CONDITION OF CHIMNEY COMPONENTS

In the CSIA article, “What the Home Inspector Missed, The Chimney Sweep Caught,” a damaged chimney chase cover was not discovered in the home inspection. This problem could lead to extensive and expensive water leak damage to the chimney and the rest of the home.  That is exactly why its important to be noted in a real-estate transaction. A home inspector rarely examines the condition of the different parts of a chimney. Parts such as a chase cover, chimney cap, and liner. However, a CSIA-certified chimney sweep includes every part of the chimney in a Level 2 inspection. This guarantees there are no problems lurking within or on top of your chimney!

Buying or selling a home? Contact us at Atlas Chimney today to schedule an appointment for a Level 2 chimney inspection!

We Offer Chim-Scan Video Inspections

There could be damage that could lead to safety hazards hiding within your chimney! This is one of the reasons why an annual chimney inspection is so important. Even with thorough inspections, sometimes there are areas that can be impossible to see clearly enough to locate damage and deterioration.

To get an up-close look at every inch of your chimney, we use the Chim-Scan Closed Circuit Internal Evaluation System. This technology allows us to easily spot cracks and blockages. Also, anything that could lead to a chimney fire, or a carbon monoxide leak. We would like to tell you more about this helpful technological tool. This way you can understand exactly why we so highly recommend including this service with your annual chimney inspection.

What is the Chim-Scan Closed Circuit Internal Evaluation System?

Also known as video scanners, the Chim-Scan Closed Circuit Internal Evaluation System was developed to record images of the inside of chimneys. In addition, it documents the condition of the flue, and locates hidden damage and defects. This tool can also be used to verify the cleanliness of the chimney after it has been swept. This ensures your chimney is ready to safely and efficiently vent the combustion exhaust out of your home. Chim-Scan can be used with both masonry and prefabricated chimneys.  Also, it’s extremely helpful in assessing the condition of the inside of chimneys after a natural disaster.

What are the advantages of having a Chim-Scan video inspection?

One of our favorite things about this technology is that it allows you to see the condition of your chimney’s interior as we scan the chimney. We welcome our customers to watch the TV monitor with us as we insert the camera to scan the entire flue. If we find any damage, we will provide you with the images of the problem. This can be essential if you need to file a claim with your home insurance company after a natural disaster or chimney fire. Atlas Chimney highly recommends this service to verify the cleanliness and operational readiness of your chimney. Plus, to find the areas that are in need of repair, and to determine the cause and origin of chimney damage.

How do I know if I need this type of chimney inspection?

Atlas Chimney provides all three levels of chimney inspections. These were established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to provide standards to the chimney industry. Your situation determines which level of inspection your chimney should receive. We can recommend the right level for your chimney. While we do not include a Chim-Scan video inspection with the basic Level 1 inspection, we do with every Level 2 and Level 3 inspections we perform.

You will need a Level 2 inspection if:

• You have updated your heating appliance, are buying or selling a home, are having your flue relined, or experienced a chimney fire.

The most extensive and invasive inspection is the Level 3:

• In addition to Level 1 and Level 2 inspections, there is Level 3. This level is recommended if the problem is still unable to be solved . Consequently, this level may involve the demolition of the structure of your chimney. However, we will always discuss the reasons why it is needed before we begin this inspection.

Ensure your chimney is free from damage, blockages, or other problems this winter. Contact us at Atlas Chimney to learn more about our Chim-Scan video inspection services!