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Inspections: know what your flue looks like inside
A chimney hides its condition better than any other part of a house. The flue interior, the smoke chamber, the liner joints, none of it is visible from the hearth or the roof. Inspection is how a chimney's real condition gets on record, and the industry standard NFPA 211 defines the levels so you know exactly what you are buying.
Level 1: the annual check
A Level 1 covers all readily accessible portions: firebox, damper, visible flue, crown, cap, and exterior masonry. It pairs naturally with a sweep and answers the yearly question of whether the system is sound to burn. For a fireplace in regular use, this is the annual habit worth keeping.
Level 2: sales, changes, and after events
A Level 2 adds a full camera scan of the flue interior plus accessible attic and crawlspace portions of the chimney. The standard calls for it when a property changes hands, when an appliance or fuel type changes, and after any event that could have damaged the system: a flue fire, an earthquake, a tree strike, a serious storm. Buyers' inspectors in Pierce County flag fireplaces on nearly every mid-century listing, and a Level 2 report either clears the flag or prices the fix before negotiation.
Common questions
How much does a chimney inspection cost?
Level 1 inspections are modest, typically bundled with a sweep. Level 2 camera inspections cost more and are worth every dollar when a sale, an appliance change, or a suspected event is involved. Firm pricing comes before booking.
Do I need an inspection to sell my house?
Nothing legally requires it, but the buyer's inspector will note the fireplace either way. A recent Level 2 report in your disclosure packet removes the unknown that buyers negotiate hardest against.
We had a chimney fire but everything seems fine. Inspect anyway?
Yes, and before the next fire is lit. Flue fires routinely crack clay tiles invisibly from the room. A camera scan is the only way to know whether the liner survived.