Chimney Inspections / Visual & Camera Access

Few things are as important as ensuring the safety of your home, which is why it is critical to annually inspect your fireplaces and chimneys. According to The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 211, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.” It is not always easy to notice damage or breakdowns to a fireplace or chimney, so having a professional look at your system is critical.

Even if you do not use your fireplace or stove often, blockages and deterioration can still occur, and you may be due for a cleaning or repairs. Do not assume that everything in the chimney is functioning if you have not used it in years. Also, a real estate chimney inspection is required in New Jersey when buying or selling property.

Mercer County Chimney Services is Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) Certified and a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG). Our trained, licensed and insured technicians are capable of doing inspections at the three different levels as defined by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) detailed below. Mercer County Chimney Services have served the community of Mercer County for over 10 years, so you can trust our expertise. Without an inspection, it may be impossible to know that repairs are needed to your system, or that a chimney sweep is required.

Chimney inspections are done at three different levels as defined by the NFPA, which are listed below.

Level 1 Chimney Inspection

A level 1 chimney inspection is required annually, as is a chimney cleaning, so a level 1 inspection can be done at the same time as a chimney sweep or cleaning. A level 1 chimney inspection is recommended if you have not noticed a change in the chimney’s performance and there has been no change to the appliance or venting system but you still need to ensure the safety of the chimney and heating system. In a level 1 chimney inspection, our technicians will examine all accessible interior and exterior components of your chimney, flue, heating appliance and connections. Each component is looked over, including the damper, firebox, smoke chamber, cap, crown and masonry and/or structural elements. If any problems are found, they will be reported to you and recommendations for repair will be given.

Level 2 Chimney Inspection

A level 2 chimney inspection is required as a NFPA standard upon the sale or transfer of property. We provide this service for buyers and sellers. A level 2 inspection is also required whenever there are any changes made to your system, such as a change in fuel type, chimney relining, furnace replacement or new stove or appliance installation. In any of these cases, our technicians have the experience and qualifications to cover all of the necessary parts of a level 2 inspection. The inspection includes all that is involved in a level 1 inspection, as well as an in-depth inspection of each part of the chimney system. Internal joints and surfaces will be thoroughly checked for issues, and a special video camera will be utilized to take a close look at the inside of the flue and chimney. Concerns will be reported to the homeowner, and estimates for repairs will be given.

Level 3 Chimney Inspection

Level 3 chimney inspections are the most detailed that can be done. These are only required when there are serious problems that need immediate attention. As well as covering all areas that are done in a level 1 and 2 inspection, a level 3 inspection requires the removal of components for better access such as the heating system, interior walls, flue pipes, chimney crowns or masonry.

If you are in need of an inspection, call us at 609-802-5288. Mercer County Chimney Services operate in cities across the county, including Plainsboro NJ, Ewing NJ, Hopewell NJ, Pennington NJ.