Fireplace & Chimney Inspection Services
Ensure Your Family’s Safety with Atlanta’s Most Thorough Chimney Inspections
Your fireplace is one of the most important parts of your home. It affects the coziness and look of your space as well as your home’s value, and it can be essential for heating. Unfortunately, a chimney and fireplace in need of repair can negatively impact your indoor air quality and even your safety.
Our Chimney Inspection Process
Contact our team online or call (678) 525-7943. We’ll set up a convenient diagnostic visit and provide clear, upfront details before any work begins.
Chuck and our team arrive on time to perform a thorough evaluation, using high-definition video camera technology to inspect every inch of your flue.
Once the inspection is complete, we provide a detailed, easy-to-understand quote for any necessary work. There are no hidden fees, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.
We perform precision repairs to restore your fireplace and chimney to full NFPA code compliance, protecting your home for years to come.
Uncover Hidden Problems with Advanced Camera Inspections
A video scan is where we use a camera system which is lowered into the chimney or pushed up from the bottom. The camera allows us to inspect the chimney from a range of just a few inches instead of just looking from the top or bottom. The camera image is viewed on a TV monitor by the inspector. Video inspections may be recommended if the customer or sweep suspect certain problems. Video inspections are often recommended after a chimney fire or some other form of damage to a chimney and are a routine part of a level II or level III inspection.
You should be aware that even the most thorough inspection will not reveal all problems. Some areas of a chimney simply are not assessable due to the construction of the house. Be sure to discuss any specific concerns with your sweep. The recommended inspection technique will often be based on your comments and concerns. This works similar to a visit to your doctor. Your doctor probably doesn’t do an EKG and take a full set of X-rays during every visit. However, if you tell the doctor you have chest pains, they will perform the tests related to that problem.
What are the Different Levels of Inspection?
The inspections of chimneys are an important service offered by Atlanta Chimney Doctor in Acworth, Alpharetta, Atlanta, Kennesaw, Marietta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, and Dallas. Chimney inspections come in many forms, and you should be aware that not all inspections are alike. At Atlanta Chimney Doctor, we offer professional, affordable inspections that follow the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) recommended inspection procedures.
NFPA divides the inspection procedure into three levels. The circumstances which give rise to the inspection determine what level of inspection is to be conducted. A level I inspection is the most basic level of inspection, while level II and level III inspections are progressively more detailed and comprehensive. A Level I inspection is completed during each chimney cleaning or sweeping.
A level I inspection is the recommended level when an evaluation of the chimney system for continued service is needed and the conditions of use are not changing. This could include:
- Routine or annual evaluations of the venting system
- An appliance connected to the system is being replaced with a similar appliance
- During chimney cleaning or sweeping
A level I inspection is limited to readily accessible portions of the venting system and accessible portions of the connected appliance(s) and the chimney connection. The inspector will check the readily accessible portions of the chimney, its enclosing structure, and the flue. A level I inspection includes verification that the flue is not blocked or significantly restricted.
A level II inspection is more detailed and thorough than a level I inspection and is the recommended inspection when conditions of use for the appliance or venting system are changing, or when a level I inspection reveals the need for a more detailed inspection. Several instances where a level II inspection is specifically recommended include:
- Replacement of an appliance with one of dissimilar type, input rating, or efficiency
- Prior to a flue relining
- Upon sale or transfer of the property
- After an event likely to have caused damage to the chimney, such as a chimney fire or other sudden occurrence event
A level II inspection includes all of the requirements of a level I inspection as well as:
- Inspection of accessible areas of attics, basements, and crawlspaces
- Accessible areas of the chimney exterior and interior
- Accessible portions of the appliance and chimney connection
- Video scanning, or other thorough inspection, of the flue interior
- Evaluation of the flue lining to determine that its material and sizing is appropriate for the appliances being served
- Proper clearance to combustibles in the accessible areas listed above
- Proper construction and condition of the chimney system in the accessible areas listed above
While the level II inspection is a rather thorough inspection and requires access to many areas of the building, it does not require removal of permanent parts of the building, such as siding, chase covers, or wall coverings.
A level III inspection is the most detailed of all of the inspection types and includes inspection of concealed areas of the building. However, the examination of concealed areas will be limited to areas reasonably suspected of containing hazards that cannot be evaluated otherwise.
A level III inspection includes all areas covered in a level I and level II inspection and inspection of concealed areas to investigate known or suspected problems. Certain portions of a level III inspection require destructive action to the building, and the inspector will discuss these areas with the building owner prior to the inspection.
The Hidden Dangers of a Chimney
A slow leak or any issues that cause smoke or gases to enter your home can pose a serious health risk and cause property damage.
A slow water leak in your fireplace can lead to structural damage, mold and health issues.
Any gases or smoke entering your home can put your health at risk and cause lung irritation as well as injuries.
You don’t want smoke or mold building up in your house and affecting you and your household.
A chimney and fireplace inspection can detect small issues ahead of time before they become worse.
If soot or other debris build up, you could even be at risk of a fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
NFPA recommendations state that all chimneys, fireplaces, and vents should be inspected annually. For Atlanta homeowners with woodburning fireplaces, a yearly evaluation ensures soot and creosote are cleared before reaching dangerous levels.
You should also schedule an inspection immediately after unusual events (such as a chimney fire, lightning strike, or severe storm), prior to purchasing a home with an existing fireplace, or whenever making changes to connected heating appliances.
Level 1: A visual check of accessible exterior and interior areas as part of routine annual maintenance.
Level 2: Includes a mandatory high-definition camera scan of the flue interior. It is required for Alpharetta home sales, real estate transfers, fuel changes, and post-fire events.
Level 3: The most detailed structural evaluation, covering concealed building areas for suspected major defects.
An NFPA Level 2 chimney inspection is required during several specific property events:
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Any time a property in Alpharetta or Metro Atlanta is sold or transferred.
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After a chimney fire, lightning strike, or severe storm.
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Prior to flue relining or when replacing a heating appliance with a dissimilar type or rating.
Atlanta Chimney Doctor provides official Georgia property-closing safety reports recognized by local lenders and insurance carriers.
Atlanta Chimney Doctor’s owner, Chuck Conner, is a CSIA-certified master chimney inspector with over 33 years of experience. Chuck is personally on-site for every inspection across Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, Marietta, Kennesaw, and Cobb County, ensuring all work strictly complies with NFPA 211 codes.
