Inspection levels explained
The NFPA 211 standard defines three inspection levels:
- Level 1: a visual check of the readily accessible parts of the chimney. Right for annual maintenance when nothing has changed.
- Level 2: adds a video scan of the flue interior plus attic, crawlspace and roof checks. Required when a property is sold, after a chimney fire or earthquake, or when you change appliances.
- Level 3: involves removing parts of the structure to reach hidden areas. Only needed when a serious hidden problem is suspected.
Buying or selling a home with a fireplace
General home inspectors usually do not scan the inside of a flue. If the home you are buying in Missoula has a fireplace or wood stove, a Level 2 chimney inspection can reveal cracked liners, missing clearances or damage that is expensive to fix, before you close.
Inside the Missoula Air Stagnation Zone, older wood stoves must also be removed when a property sells. See stove removal for home sales.
Frequently asked questions
Does a home inspection include the chimney?
Usually only a surface-level look. A Level 2 chimney inspection with a camera is the standard recommendation during a property sale.
What happens if the inspection finds a problem?
You will get a description of the issue and a repair recommendation. You are never obligated to use the same company for repairs.