Chimney Inspection

With decades of experience and being rated as one of the best chimney inspection service providers in Virginia Beach, we are your best companion when it comes to chimney inspection, cleaning, or repair services. We have a robust team of chimney experts who are certified to conduct all types of chimney inspections and repairs.

No, we provide chimney inspection services in Virginia Beach, Northern Virginia, Richmond, and other places as well. Click here to check the full list of locations we serve.

While it completely depends on the issues you are facing with your chimney, we recommend having a Level 1 Chimney inspection once every year. Also, in case you are buying a new property or you have conducted major repair work in your home, a Level 2 or Level 3 chimney inspection is definitely needed.

No, there is no compulsory rule for that, but the NFPA 211 standards do recommend annual inspections of chimneys and fireplaces.

When you book a chimney inspection service with A Step in Time Chimney Sweeps, a certified chimney inspector will inspect your chimney and prepare a report which will be acceptable as per any legal laws.

We offer chimney inspection for types of chimneys, including masonry chimneys, factory fireplaces, and fireplace inserts, as well.

When you book a Level 1 chimney inspection from A Step in Time Chimney Sweeps, our expert technician will check all the readily accessible components of your chimney that may fall into the following categories –

• Components that are exposed for maintenance.
• Accessible portions that require repair or aren’t operating properly.
• Interiors that require cleaning

Additionally, our technician will also check if your chimney is free from any obstructions or combustion deposits that happen to build up along the walls as you continue to use your chimney.

You need a level 1 chimney inspection when –

1. You’ve been using the same appliance and venting system, and there are no updates made to it. Take it as an annual maintenance inspection, which is mandatory to ensure your chimney (both appliance and venting system) is working fine and free from any kind of obstruction.
2. You are continuously using your chimney, you need to ensure that it is properly cleaned and doesn’t have any obstructions. Level 1 chimney inspection is enough to ensure this.

A Step in Time Chimney Sweeps offers a detailed level 2 chimney inspection service, which covers the following –

• Everything which is included in the Level 1 inspection.
• Inspecting basements, attics, and crawl spaces to see if there are any signs of damage.
• Video scanning the whole chimney system to check internal walls and joints of flue liners.
• Checking if the space between the chimney and combustible materials is adequate.

Read more about our level 2 chimney inspection by visiting this link.

The following instances call for the need of a level 2 chimney inspection –

• When there are changes made to the chimney system, like relining the chimney, going with a new appliance or changing the type of fuel.
• When there is a transfer of ownership of a property, a Level 2 chimney inspection is a must.
• In case of events like chimney fires, or other severe weather events like storms, earthquakes.

Level 3 chimney inspection covers all the elements of levels and 2, and it goes further in assessing areas that are not readily accessible. Our extensive Level 3 Chimney inspection covers –

• Checking concealed areas that require removing parts of the chimney structure, like building walls, chimney crown, chimney chase, or flue tile.
• Assessing damage in hidden areas and checking if there are any structural issues.
• Uncovering flaws in the chimney system that may put homeowners in a critical situation.

Click here to know more about our Level 3 chimney inspection.

With our decades of experience, we recommend going for a Level 3 Chimney inspection when –

• There is significant damage to your chimney after events of a fire or severe natural disasters.
• You see smoke backdraft or persistently experience other performance problems like bad odours.
• The chimney inspection confirms cracked flue liners or highlights structural issues in your chimney system.
• You go for major rebuilding work that might have affected the chimney system.