As part of our commitment to help ensure your protection, please be aware that the National Fire Safety standard requires that a Level II Internal Chimney Inspection be conducted whenever a house is bought or sold. (NFPA 211). The internal elements of the chimney fall outside the scope of your home inspection. Chimney repairs can be very expensive.
- Home Inspectors cannot see the inside the chimney. These conditions fall outside the scope of your home inspection.
- Homes and/or structures over 20 years old have a higher probability of failure simply because of age. With over 70,000 chimney fires occurring annually, a Level II Internal Camera inspection is the only way to determine if internal fire hazards are present. A chimney inspection is advised on all structures regardless of age.
- The cost to re-line a heating and/or fireplace chimney is expensive. Generally, repair costs will range from $1500.00 to $3500.00 per flue or more. Heating and fireplaces have separate flues and usually have similar conditions!
- Structural defects and Health Hazards. When a Chimney flue fails an Internal Inspection, it is considered a structural defect and a safety hazard, which may be a negotiable item with the Seller.
- You do not need to be present; in most cases Holmes Inspection Service will simply call your realtor or the seller to provide access for our inspector.
Example of Internal Chimney Lining Separation
- These conditions are not visible to your home inspector and may be present in the Chimney
- This is considered a significant fire & safety hazard and is expensive to repair.
- Use of specialized camera and C.S.I.A. training is required.