A chimney inspection is the single most important step you can take to protect your home and family before burning season. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) reports that roughly 25,000 chimney fires occur in the United States every year, and most of them are preventable. That is why the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 211 calls for every chimney, fireplace, and vent to be inspected at least once a year, whether you burn wood every night or light a fire twice a season.
Black Goose Chimney has performed chimney inspections across the Hampton Roads area for over 25 years. Every inspection is conducted by a CSIA Certified technician following NFPA 211 standards, and we explain what we find in plain language, with photos, so you can make the best decision for your home.
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Why an Annual Chimney Inspection Matters
Your chimney works hard and hides its problems well. Creosote builds up quietly inside the flue. Mortar joints crack where you cannot see them. Animals nest in flues over the summer. A liner can deteriorate without any visible sign from the living room. Any one of these can turn into a chimney fire, carbon monoxide intrusion, or expensive water damage.
An annual inspection catches these issues while they are small. It also tells you whether your chimney needs chimney sweeping services this year at all. If the flue is clean, we will tell you so. Our reputation in the Tidewater area was built on telling homeowners the truth, which is why we photograph what we find and review the images with you.
The Three Levels of Chimney Inspection, Explained
NFPA 211 defines three levels of chimney inspection. Black Goose Chimney performs Level 1 and Level 2 inspections in accordance with NFPA standards, and we will tell you honestly which one your situation calls for. For a deeper look at how the levels compare, read our guide to chimney inspection levels.
Level 1
Level 1 Inspection: The Annual Checkup
A Level 1 chimney inspection is a visual examination of the readily accessible portions of your chimney, fireplace, and venting system. It is the right choice when your chimney is under continued use, nothing about the system has changed, and it has been inspected regularly. Your technician checks the firebox, damper, visible flue, chimney exterior, and connections for soundness, blockages, creosote buildup, and proper clearances.
Level 2
Level 2 Inspection: The Camera Inspection
A Level 2 chimney inspection includes everything in Level 1 plus a video scan of the flue interior using a closed-circuit camera. NFPA 211 calls for a Level 2 inspection when a property is sold or transferred, after a chimney fire, storm, or earthquake, after an operating malfunction, or when anything about the system changes, such as a new liner, a new appliance, or switching fuel types. If you just bought a home in Hampton Roads, a Level 2 inspection is the only way to know what the previous owner’s chimney has been through.
Level 3
Level 3 Inspection: When a Hazard Is Suspected
A Level 3 inspection is reserved for situations where a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection reveals a suspected hidden hazard that cannot be evaluated without accessing concealed areas of the chimney or building. It may involve removing components to reach the problem. If your inspection ever points toward a concealed hazard, we will explain exactly what we found, why further evaluation matters, and what your options are before anything else happens.
What a camera scan can see that a flashlight can’t. Missing mortar between flue tiles, spalling or cracked tiles, and gaps deep inside the flue are invisible from the firebox and the roof. A Level 2 camera scan records the full length of the flue so you can see these conditions for yourself.
What Our CSIA Certified Technicians Check
Every Black Goose Chimney inspection follows CSIA protocols and the standards set by NFPA 211. Depending on the level, your inspection covers:
- Creosote accumulation and flue blockages, the leading causes of chimney fires
- The firebox, damper, and smoke chamber condition
- Flue liner integrity, with closed circuit camera scanning on Level 2 inspections
- Masonry condition, including spalling brick, cracked crowns, and failing mortar joints
- The chimney cap, chase cover, and flashing, the most common sources of water intrusion
- Evidence of animals or nesting, including federally protected Chimney Swifts
- Proper clearances and safe venting for wood, gas, and insert systems
If we find water staining or active leaks, we will trace the source rather than guess. Water is the most persistent enemy of Hampton Roads chimneys, and our post on why your chimney leaks when it rains explains the usual suspects. When repairs are needed, our chimney repair services team handles everything from repointing to full rebuilds, so you are not left coordinating a second contractor.
When Should You Schedule a Chimney Inspection?
- Every year, ideally before burning season. Fall and early winter are the busiest months for chimney professionals across Newport News, Williamsburg, and Virginia Beach, so the earlier you schedule, the sooner you can light that first fire with confidence.
- Before buying or selling a home. A Level 2 inspection protects both parties in a real estate transaction and is required by NFPA 211 upon transfer of property.
- After a chimney fire, lightning strike, or severe storm. Hampton Roads nor’easters and hurricanes can damage crowns, caps, and flashing in ways that are invisible from the ground.
- If the fireplace has sat unused for years. Blockages, nesting, and liner deterioration are common in dormant chimneys.
- After any change to the system. New liner, new insert, new furnace venting into the flue, or a switch in fuel type all call for a Level 2 inspection.
Chimney Inspections Near You, Anywhere in Hampton Roads
Searching for a chimney inspection near me in South East Virginia? Black Goose Chimney serves the entire Tidewater region from our Newport News headquarters, including Hampton, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Poquoson, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Suffolk, plus Gloucester, Smithfield, Toano, New Kent, and the surrounding communities. Our technicians are CSIA Certified, and the company is licensed, bonded, insured, and drug tested. You can meet our staff before we ever arrive at your door.
How Much Does a Chimney Inspection Cost?
The cost depends on the level of inspection your chimney needs. A Level 1 inspection is the most economical because it is a visual examination, while a Level 2 inspection costs more because it includes closed circuit camera scanning of the entire flue. When you compare quotes from different companies, make sure you are comparing the same level of inspection and the same credentials. Our apples to apples comparison guide shows you exactly what to ask. Before you schedule, it is also worth checking our current coupon specials.
One way to think about the value: the cost of an annual inspection is a small fraction of the cost of repairing fire or water damage that an inspection would have caught early.
Chimney Inspection FAQs
What is the difference between a chimney sweep and a chimney inspection?
A sweep removes creosote and debris from the flue. An inspection evaluates the condition and safety of the entire system. They are often performed in the same visit, but an inspection is the diagnostic step that tells you whether sweeping or repairs are actually needed.
How long does a chimney inspection take?
Most Level 1 inspections take under an hour. A Level 2 inspection with camera scanning typically takes one to two hours depending on the chimney’s height and the number of flues.
Do gas fireplaces and gas logs need inspections too?
Yes. Gas appliances burn cleaner than wood, but the venting system still needs an annual inspection for blockages, corrosion, and proper drafting under NFPA 211. This applies to vented gas log sets and direct vent inserts alike.
Will I get documentation of my inspection?
Yes. Your technician reviews findings with you, including photos of problem areas, so you have a clear record of your chimney’s condition and any recommendations.
Schedule Your Chimney Inspection Today
Your home is important, as are the people in it. If it has been a year or more since your last chimney inspection, or you have never had one, now is the time, before the busiest weeks of burning season arrive. Contact Black Goose Chimney or call (757) 596-2298 to schedule your NFPA Level 1 or Level 2 inspection with a CSIA Certified technician.