Quick AnswerA Level 2 inspection is required, not optional, in a handful of specific situations: selling or buying a home, after a chimney fire, following severe weather like a lightning strike or major storm, or when you're changing the fuel type or appliance connected to the chimney. It includes everything in a Level 1 inspection plus a full video camera scan of the entire flue interior, and it extends into attics, basements, and crawlspaces wherever the chimney passes through. Most homeowners only need one when a specific trigger applies, not on a routine annual basis. It takes longer than a Level 1 because the camera work and additional access points take time to do properly.
What’s Included
A Level 2 inspection builds on everything covered in a Level 1 visit, then goes further with equipment that lets us see inside the flue itself. This is the scope required by national fire code guidance whenever a chimney's history or usage changes, and it's also what real estate transactions typically call for. We don't skip steps here, because a Level 2 exists specifically to catch what a visual check from the ends of the flue can't.
- Everything included in a Level 1 inspection, covering the firebox, damper, exterior masonry, and accessible portions of the flue and connector pipe.
- A complete video camera scan of the flue interior from top to bottom, capturing cracks, gaps, creosote glazing, and shifted flue tiles that aren't visible from either end.
- Inspection of accessible attic, basement, and crawlspace areas wherever the chimney structure passes through, checking for water staining, gaps around the chase, and clearance to combustibles.
- A check of the chimney's connections to the home's structure, confirming flashing, firestops, and clearances meet the standards a home inspector or insurer will be looking for.
- Documentation of the appliance and venting configuration, which matters if you're changing from wood to gas or installing a different type of insert or stove.
- A detailed written report with camera footage referenced, giving you documentation that holds up for real estate, insurance, or fire department purposes.
Signs You Need This
- You're buying or selling a home with a fireplace or chimney.
- You've had a chimney fire, even a small one.
- A major storm, lightning strike, or high winds have hit your property.
- You're switching fuel types or installing a new insert, stove, or appliance.
- A Level 1 inspection turned up something that needs a closer look.
Our Process
Confirm the Trigger
We talk through why the Level 2 is needed, whether it's a sale, a fire, storm damage, or an appliance change, so the inspection is scoped correctly.
Full Property Walkthrough
The technician completes the Level 1 portion first, checking the firebox, damper, and exterior masonry before moving to the camera work.
Video Camera Scan
A high-resolution camera on a flexible rod runs the length of the flue, recording footage of the entire interior surface.
Documented Report Delivered
You receive a written report with camera findings and a flat-fee estimate for any repairs the footage revealed.
How Much Does It Cost?
Level 2 inspections are priced as a flat fee that reflects the additional time and equipment involved compared to a Level 1, and we quote it upfront before scheduling. The fee covers the full video scan and the attic, basement, and crawlspace access points, so there's nothing added on halfway through. If the camera turns up damage that needs repair, we'll put together a separate written estimate for that work and won't proceed without your sign-off. Real estate transactions sometimes call for the report on a tight timeline, and we can usually accommodate that without rushing the inspection itself.
FAQs
Ohio doesn't have a blanket law requiring it, but most home inspectors, insurers, and real estate agents in the Cleveland area expect one whenever a chimney is part of the sale. National fire code guidance calls for a Level 2 at time of sale, and buyers increasingly ask for the documentation directly.
A Level 1 is a visual check of what's accessible without tools, while a Level 2 adds a full video camera scan of the entire flue interior plus attic, basement, and crawlspace access points. Level 2 is required after specific events like a chimney fire, severe weather, or a change in fuel type or appliance, not as routine annual maintenance.
Yes. We can provide recorded footage for insurance claims, real estate documentation, or your own records, and it's included as part of the inspection.