Chimney Inspection vs. Cleaning: Identifying When Each Is Required
Understand the differences between chimney inspections and cleanings with suggested NFPA inspection levels and when chimney services may be needed for your home.
Homeowners tend to confuse chimney inspections and cleanings. Chimney cleanings address the buildup of byproducts of combustion, namely creosote and soot, while chimney inspections focus on the condition of the flue, liner, and masonry in order to ascertain the presence of potential safety hazards. The answer to the question “is my chimney safe and sound?” would be provided by an inspection, whereas the question “is my chimney clear enough to use?” would be addressed by a cleaning. Scheduling a service that addresses the incorrect need is a waste of money. Ignoring the appropriate service can pose a risk to your safety. This resource provides safe and simple guidelines to distinguish each service and maintain a chimney on a safe maintenance schedule.
The Short Answer: Two Different Jobs
Your car has two maintenance jobs: diagnose and cure. An oil change is safe maintenance but doesn’t diagnose your car. Likewise, you should not skip an inspection just because you recently had them done.
Diagnosis = Inspection. A technician will find blockages, soot, built up and unsafe conditions, and all damaged parts to give their report.
Cure = Cleaning. A technician will remove all built up creosote and soot, take out debris and the nest of unwanted animals to let the flue safely remove toxic fumes.
They are both important to the integrity of your car and your chimney. Just because you cleaned the creosote doesn’t mean you fixed the structural problem in your chimney. It also doesn’t mean that you can inspect your way out of the build up. A reputable chimney company will check your chimney and explain which services your chimney needs.
What a Chimney Cleaning Really Accomplishes
Why is it Called a Chimney Sweep?
A chimney sweep is actually the removal of materials that belong elsewhere. Wood smoke contains lots of byproducts. It leaves a tar-like substance called creosote. It builds up on the inner lining of the flue as smoke rises, and builds up layer by layer on the inside of the flue. When it is first formed it is a light flaky soot that is fairly easy to remove. If left to dry, it forms a hard crust. In the worst formation, creosote becomes a hard and extremely flammable tar. The vast majority of chimney fires occur as a result of this hard and glazed creosote.
What Does a Chimney Cleaning Involve?
A sweep generally removes the following:
- Buildup of creosote, brush and scrape off the flammable build up from the inner walls of the flue. In difficult cases of glazed creosote, this may require specialized tools and cleaners.
- Soot, the remainder of black build up in the smoke chamber and smoke shelf, and the opening where the wood is burned. This collects and reduces the air flow through the firebox.
- Blockages, the removal of birds nests and squirrels. Edema and other rodent and animal nests block the air flow through the chimney, and back smoke into nearby rooms. This also includes removal of leaves and other debris.
A well functioning chimney is the goal of most home owners. A chimney that drafts properly and efficiently vents both smoke and carbon monoxide always presents a much safer house. Not to mention the fact that a clean chimney also creates less hassle. A chimney simply works better, and becomes easier to light and helps create a more efficient fire. The best part is that a clean chimney does not create more smoky, messy conditions in your room. A chimney cleaning is not. Inspections are not meant to evaluate the structural integrity of the chimney. In fact, a chimney can be spotless, and still have a crack in the liner. Inspections are meant to evaluate the structural integrity of the chimney.
What is in store during a chimney inspection?
An inspection is the evaluation of the flue, masonry, crown, damper, cap, the structure as a whole, and the level of drafting. Everything can be soot covered, but that doesn’t mean everything is structurally sound. The goal of an inspection is to remedy issues before they become dangerous. Some issues can be slow moisture issues. Slow moisture can eventually cause chimney leaks, damaged masonry and structural compromises.
There are many different types of inspections and they each vary greatly. It is up to the professional on the job to evaluate NFPA 211 and decide what type of inspection each situation calls for.
Repetition of Inspections on Levels 1, 2, and 3
Level 1 Inspection:
The most commonly required inspection, performed annually for a chimney that does not have any structural changes or changes to the way the chimney is used. The technician inspects the readily accessible sections of the chimney and the flue. They also inspect the connections and confirm the integrity of the structure and ensure that the flue is not blocked and that there is no deterioration or buildup. This is the inspection that is typically required for Valley homes.
Level 2 Inspection:
This inspection is required for certain changes that have occurred, such as the sale or purchase of a home, switching from a wood to a gas burning appliance, the installation of a new appliance or liner, or if the chimney sustained an event that affected the chimney, such as a chimney fire, a storm, or an earthquake. In addition to a Level 1 inspection, a Level 2 inspection includes the accessible portions of the attic, basement, and crawlspace, and is often supplemented by a video scan that uses a camera to check the interior of the flue that is beyond the reaches of a flashlight.
Level 3 Inspection:
This inspection is the most thorough and the least common. It is performed when there is a hazard that was identified or strongly suspected of being present from a previous Level 1 or 2 inspection, but that requires an inspection behind the structure to confirm. This type of inspection may include removal of a portion of the chimney structure, removal of a chase cover or wall· construction, and confirmation of a previously hidden problem. This inspection is done when the hazard is great enough to warrant it.
What Inspectors Look For
An inspection can’t be done by simply looking up a chimney. Inspecting requires looking at many things in the chimney and surrounding areas. Our technicians inspect all of the following:
- the stage, thickness, and type of creosote;
- cracks, gaps, or missing sections of the flue liner;
- the worsening condition of mortar joints and bricks;
- damage to crowns and missing caps;
- signs of water intrusion;
- an operational damper;
- blockages or nests restricting draft;
- and clearances.
They also determine the integrity of the entire structure. The results of the inspection can dictate whether cleaning, repairs, or replacement of a liner is necessary. Without an inspection, all decisions become guesswork.
When You Need Each (Decision Guide)
Here’s a simple way to decide. Use this as your starting point, and let a technician confirm on-site.
| Your situation | What you likely need |
|---|---|
| Annual routine, chimney used normally | Inspection (Level 1), plus cleaning if buildup is found |
| You smell smoke or notice a weak draft | Inspection first, find the cause before cleaning |
| Buying or selling a home | Level 2 inspection |
| You switched from wood to gas (or vice versa) | Level 2 inspection |
| After a chimney fire, storm, or earthquake | Level 2 or 3 inspection |
| Visible heavy creosote, you burn often | Cleaning, with an inspection to confirm the flue is sound |
| You haven’t used the fireplace in years | Inspection first, animals, debris, and decay accumulate |
The rule of thumb: when in doubt, inspect first. An inspection tells you whether a cleaning is even the right fix, or whether there’s a structural issue that a cleaning would only cover up. Cleaning a chimney with a cracked liner doesn’t make it safe to use; it just makes the crack harder to notice.
How Often to Schedule Both
The general recommendation is inspect every year, and clean as needed. A basic inspection should be performed each year prior to the busy season of using the fireplace which occurs in the fall.
Cleaning: based on use, not calendar dates. Heavy users may need it once a year and light users may go two or three years between cleanings. Gas fireplaces leave even less build up but still require cleaning and inspection of the vents and burning debris removal. Your annual inspection should indicate when a cleaning is needed.
Maintaining an annual chimney cleaning schedule is a smart investment and one of the least expensive types of insurance coverage you can obtain for your home. It removes the built-up soot and creosote layer prior to its damage citing loss control measures and fire prevention.
Signs You Shouldn’t Wait
Don’t wait for your annual appointment if you notice any of the following. Call, get it inspected.
- Sweet, smoky odors coming from the fireplace, especially in the summer, can be a strong signal.
- If drafts are weak and slow when you light a fire, you have smoky back draft.
- Visible creosote, a black shiny flaky layer, on the flue or firebox should be a concern.
- Moisture, stains, or crusty white deposits are signs of leaking flue liner and can also be a concern.
- Crumbled brick and mortar that can fall into your firebox are signs of erosion.
- Any symptoms of dizziness, nausea, or head aches near the fireplace that subside once you leave the room is a possible Carbon Monoxide (CO) exposure risk. Remove all occupants from the area to the fresh air outside. Call for assistance. Both the EPA and CPSC cite faulty chimney and venting systems as pathways for CO exposure within the home, thus the importance of CO detectors in the same area as the occupants for sleeping.
Book your appointment before the rainy season begins.
Have your chimney inspected before the rainy season, when you are likely to use your fireplace. This will ensure that the fireplace is ready to use when you need it. It will also help ensure that any safety issues with your fireplace are repaired during the warm season before they become a safety issue during the cold season.
If you live in the greater Los Angeles area, or communities nearby such as Tarzana, Calabasas, Glendale, Santa Clarita, or Simi Valley, the Green SoCal Air Duct & Chimney team can handle all of your inspection and cleaning services.
Chimney inspections and chimney cleanings are two completely separate services. A chimney inspection helps determine the state of the chimney, the lining, the masonry, the crown, and the draft. A chimney cleaning helps remove soot and creosote build up and any blockages. Most chimneys need both, but they are completely separate services to answer different questions.
How frequently do chimneys require inspection?
At minimum, chimneys should be inspected once a year prior to the heating season. Annual inspections reduce the likelihood of larger, more costly issues becoming apparent, and let homeowners know if cleaning is required.
What are the three NFPA chimney inspection levels?
NFPA 211 describes Level 1 as a routine annual inspection of the commonly accessible sections of the chimney; Level 2 indicates a more extensive inspection occurring under specific instances including but not limited to sale of the property, a change in fuel type, the occurrence of a fire or earthquake, and typically includes a video scan of the flue system; Level 3 signifies a thorough inspection of hidden sections of the chimney in the event that a serious safety risk is suspected.
Is an inspection required prior to cleaning my chimney?
Yes, it is. An inspection verifies the integrity of the flue and signals if a cleaning is required or if there is a hidden crack, gap, or blockage that requires repair prior to cleaning.
Is a chimney inspection necessary for a gas fireplace?
Yes, it is. A gas fireplace will produce creosote at a much slower rate; however, the venting system can become blocked and may leak carbon monoxide. An annual inspection is needed to ensure the venting system is safe.
How long is the inspection and cleaning process?
A Level 1 routine inspection takes less than an hour; however, the cleaning process takes at least one to two hours, and more time can be added to the process if a great deal of creosote has built up and/or the flue is in an unreachable location.
Right, so can I go up and clean my chimney?
Sure, you can go look at it from the ground and check for visible signs of damage or loose material. But to perform an adequate inspection and to remove creosote buildup you are going to need specific tools and training and you are also going to need to be on the roof. Creosote buildup hides in hard to reach cracks and crevices, so once again DIY is not going to cut it.
SoCal Green Air Duct & Chimney does inspections, cleanings, and repairs for chimneys in the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley areas. This article is basically just general info, your chimney is going to need to be formally inspected by a technician when they come on site.
