The chimney inspection before closing

Why a chimney inspection before buying a house matters

A home inspector checks the chimney from the ground and notes visible problems. A chimney-specific inspection goes down the flue with a camera and documents the liner, the crown, and the masonry condition inside where a generalist cannot see.

The Level II standard

NFPA-211 calls for a Level II inspection on any change of ownership. It is the version lenders and buyers expect, because it documents the flue's actual condition in photos, where a generalist's walk-around cannot reach.

What it finds

Cracked clay liners, mortar joints separating inside the flue, old fire damage, and crowns that have been failing quietly. All of it becomes someone else's repair bill if the inspection is skipped.