Level 2 Chimney Inspection in Kinneloa Mesa

NFPA 211 lists clear triggers for a Level 2 inspection. A property sale or transfer is the best known: buyers want to know what is inside the flue before closing. A chimney fire is another, since the heat can crack tiles and open joints without any sign from below. An event that could have damaged the structure, such as an earthquake or a severe windstorm, also qualifies, and here in the foothills that matters more than most places. The fourth trigger is the one we see most: any change to the appliance or fuel. Putting an insert into a fireplace, switching from wood to gas, or adding a stove all count.

The reason is simple. A Level 1 only sees what can be reached without tools, which leaves most of the flue unseen. The camera runs the full height and records every joint, so cracks, gaps, offsets and blockages show up on video. In the attic and crawlspace we look at the outside of the chimney where it passes through framing, checking for heat damage and clearance problems. The price is $390.

For an insert job the scan is also our survey. The video tells us the flue's true inside size along its length, whether it narrows or bends, and where tiles are missing. Those details decide the liner diameter, whether it needs to be oval-formed to pass a tight spot, and whether any section must be opened to get it through. Without the scan, the installer is guessing, and a guess can mean a liner that will not reach the top on install day.

We show you the footage on site and send still frames with the report. Each finding is marked: repair before any use, bypassed by a liner, or simply noted. If you are buying a house in Kinneloa Mesa or nearby and want to plan a heating upgrade after closing, one scan can serve both purposes: it satisfies the sale inspection and gives us the measurements for the insert quote. That saves a second visit and a second fee.