A technician running an inspection camera to view the inside of the flue.
A Level 2 chimney inspection includes everything in a Level 1 review and adds a closer look at areas a surface inspection cannot reach — most notably a video scan of the flue's interior. It is the appropriate scope whenever the accessible review is not enough to answer the question at hand: the system has changed, its condition is unknown, or a decision (like a home purchase) depends on knowing what the inside of the chimney actually looks like.
The video scan is what sets this level apart. A specialized camera is passed through the flue so the technician can see the liner's condition along its length — joints, cracks, gaps, or deterioration that are invisible from the top or bottom. That matters because the flue liner is the barrier that keeps combustion byproducts and heat where they belong. You cannot judge a liner you cannot see.
When a Level 2 inspection is warranted
- Buying or selling a home. A sale is a change of ownership and use; a Level 2 gives the buyer a real picture of the chimney's condition. A general home inspection does not typically include a flue scan.
- A change to the system. Adding an insert, changing the fuel type, or replacing an appliance changes how the chimney vents and may call for a matched liner.
- After an event. A chimney fire, a lightning strike, a major storm, or a puffback can damage areas you cannot see.
- Unknown or suspected problems. Persistent odors, staining, draft problems, or debris that a Level 1 could not explain.
A note on certifications and code
We describe what the camera and inspection show, in plain terms. We do not issue certifications we are not qualified to grant, and we do not claim a system "meets code" without the evidence to back it. If a formal determination is needed for a permit or a sale, we will tell you honestly what that requires.
What the scan can reveal
Inside the flue, a scan may show cracked or displaced clay tiles, gaps at joints, a deteriorated or improperly sized liner, creosote glazing, or blockages. Any of these can change the recommendation. A cracked or damaged liner, for example, may point toward liner repair or relining, and the right choice depends on the appliance the chimney serves. The inspection's job is to give you the facts so the decision is grounded in the actual condition.
How the findings translate to next steps
Not every finding is an emergency, and not every scan ends in a big repair. Sometimes the news is good — a sound liner and a clean bill of health. When there is a problem, we explain what was seen, what it means for safe operation, and what the reasonable options are. If a system may be unsafe to operate, the honest recommendation is to keep it out of use until it has been properly addressed.
What changes the scope
The number of flues, the height and access of the chimney, the appliance type, and the condition found all affect the work involved. Because a Level 2 is more thorough than a Level 1, it takes more time. We will explain what your situation involves when you call (561) 556-2104 rather than quote a figure that ignores your specific chimney.
Before a first fire in a new home
If you have just bought a South Florida home with a fireplace you did not use before, resist the temptation to test it on a cool night without a look inside first. A Level 2 inspection is the way to know what you actually have.
Why the appliance matters to the inspection
One reason a Level 2 inspection is more than a formality is that a chimney and the appliance it serves have to be matched. A flue that vented an old open fireplace may be the wrong size or condition for a new insert or a gas appliance, and a scan is how that gets established. If you are changing what the chimney serves — installing an insert, converting to gas, or replacing a stove — the interior condition of the flue is central to whether the new setup will vent safely, and whether relining is needed.
This is also why a Level 2 is the right tool during a home sale. The buyer inherits whatever the flue's real condition is, sight unseen, and a general home inspection rarely includes a camera scan. Spending the time to see inside before closing turns an unknown into a known — occasionally a pleasant surprise, sometimes a negotiating point, and always better than discovering the truth after the first fire in a new home.
Schedule a Level 2 inspection
We perform Level 2 inspections across West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and surrounding areas. If you are buying a home, changing your system, or trying to resolve a problem a surface look could not, call (561) 556-2104 and describe the situation so we can confirm the right scope.