Chimney inspection in Wayzata: Level 1 and Level 2
Book a chimney inspection and you’ll know two things: whether the fireplace is ready for a fire, and exactly what work, if any, it calls for. Prestige Chimney Sweep inspects chimneys in Wayzata and around Lake Minnetonka, from the Level 1 check that comes with a yearly sweep to the Level 2 camera inspection buyers and sellers rely on during a sale.
Which chimney inspection level do you need?
NFPA 211, the chimney standard published by the National Fire Protection Association, sorts inspections into three levels. Every level adds detail to the one before, and most homes only ever need Level 1 or Level 2.
Level 1: the yearly check
This is the inspection for a chimney you use the same way season after season. We look over every part we can reach without tools: the firebox, damper and smoke shelf, the flue as far as we can see it, and the chimney from outside. It comes with your annual sweep.
Level 2: home sales and system changes
NFPA 211 names two everyday occasions for a Level 2: the home changing hands, and a change to the system, such as a new appliance, a new liner or a switch in fuel. Book one too after a chimney fire, or if lightning strikes the chimney. NFPA 211 is a fire-safety standard, separate from Minnesota law, and a Level 2 hands buyers and sellers a written, photo-backed record of how the chimney stands today.
On top of the Level 1 checks, we send a camera from the firebox to the top of the flue and inspect the stretch of chimney that runs through any attic or crawl space we can reach.
Level 3: when damage is hidden
If a Level 2 points to serious damage behind walls or masonry, a Level 3 may mean opening part of the structure to reach it. We recommend it only when the camera gives a clear reason, and we walk you through that reason before any work begins.
Chimney inspection when buying or selling a Lake Minnetonka home
Many homes around Wayzata and Orono have chimneys built decades ago. A camera finds cracked flue tiles, gaps in the liner, water damage and hidden creosote while they’re still repairs, before they become a fire or a carbon-monoxide risk. Afterward we send a written report, illustrated with photos or video stills, that you can keep on file or forward to the buyer, seller or agent.
Opening up a fireplace that has sat unused
Planning the first fire in a fireplace that has been quiet for a year or more? Book an inspection first. Nests, fallen debris and winter damage tend to collect in a flue nobody is using, and one visit shows whether it’s ready to burn.
Typical inspection prices are listed in our chimney sweep cost guide.
Inspection questions
Is a Level 2 chimney inspection required by Minnesota law?
No. The guidance comes from NFPA 211, the national fire-safety standard, not Minnesota law. It lists a sale of the home among the times a Level 2 is due, and a written report answers the chimney questions buyers tend to raise, which helps keep the sale moving.
What’s included in a camera inspection?
Our camera travels up the flue tile by tile, so we can check every joint, and then we look over the firebox, damper, crown and the connections we can reach. You get photos or video stills of anything worth noting.
Do home inspectors check chimneys?
They give it a general look, usually from the hearth and the roofline. Our Level 2 adds what that walk-through leaves out: a camera run up the inside of the flue, joint by joint, with photos of anything worth a second look.
How long is an inspection valid?
An annual inspection covers a year of normal use. For a home sale, a fresh Level 2 inspection is best so the report reflects the chimney’s current condition.
Know exactly what’s inside your chimney.
Level 2 camera inspections for peace of mind and home sales. Serving Wayzata and Lake Minnetonka.