Short Hills, NJ

Level 1 & Level 2 Inspections in Short Hills

Each flue in the stack scanned with a camera and documented separately. The report is written for homeowners, realtors and insurers alike.

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  • CSIA-trained & fully insured
  • Camera inspection on every visit
  • Written photo report
  • Quoted before we start
When to call

Signs it is time

  • You are buying or selling a house with a fireplace, stove or old flue
  • You switched fuel or installed a new boiler, furnace, stove or insert
  • There was a chimney fire, a lightning strike or storm damage
  • Water stains on the ceiling or wall beside the chimney
  • The chimney has not been looked at in more than a year
What is included

What we actually do

  1. Level 1: every readily accessible part of the chimney, firebox, damper and connector
  2. Level 2: adds a camera inspection of the full flue and the attic, crawl space and roof
  3. Crown, cap, flashing and exterior masonry checked from the roof where it is safe
  4. Written report with photos, organized into fix now, fix soon and monitor
  5. A clear answer on whether the system is safe to use today
Stainless capCrownFlue linerBrick & mortarFlashing
Illustration: the parts of a chimney above the roofline
Where this work happens

The part of the chimney level 1 & level 2 inspections deals with

The highlighted part is the focus of this service. We still photograph the rest, so nothing is missed.

  1. CapKeeps rain, leaves and animals out of the flue and stops sparks landing on the roof. Crowns, Caps & Waterproofing →
  2. CrownThe concrete slab on top of the stack. Once it cracks, water goes straight into the masonry below. Masonry Restoration →
  3. Flue linerCarries smoke and exhaust safely up and out. Cracked or missing liners are the most common hidden problem. Liners & Relining →
  4. MasonryBrick or stone and mortar. Freeze-thaw cycles open the joints first, then the bricks start to spall. Masonry Restoration →
  5. FlashingMetal that seals the joint between the chimney and the roof, and the source of most leaks. Crowns, Caps & Waterproofing →
What the visit looks like

How we handle level 1 & level 2 inspections

Describe the property

Number of fireplaces, age of the house, what is venting into the stack. A short note is plenty.

Schedule the survey

We book a proper window, confirm the day before, and text before the tech arrives.

Camera survey of each flue

Every flue documented on its own, with the footage kept as part of your record.

Report, then a scoped quote

You get findings and photos first, and a priced scope of work second — with priorities marked.

Book level 1 & level 2 inspectionsServing Short Hills, Millburn & the Essex hills.

We reply to every enquiry. No call centre, no automated runaround.

Level 1 & Level 2 Inspections questions

Before you book

What is the difference between a Level 1 and a Level 2 inspection?
NFPA 211 defines three levels. Level 1 covers what can be reached without tools. Level 2 adds a camera run of the whole flue plus the attic, crawl space and roof, and is the level called for at a property sale or after any change to the system. Level 3 means opening walls or masonry, and is only needed when Level 2 points to a hidden problem.
Is a home inspector’s report enough for a sale?
A general home inspection usually stops at the firebox and what can be seen from the roof. It does not include a camera run of the flue, which is where cracked tiles and gaps in the liner show up.
Do I get the photos?
Yes. The report and photos are yours to keep and share with your attorney, buyer, seller or insurer.
Also useful

Other things we look after

Masonry Restoration

Repointing, brick replacement and crown rebuilding using lime-based mortar matched to the original — critical on pre-war masonry, and routinely got wrong.

Learn more

Chimney Sweeping

Containment, HEPA extraction and drop cloths on every surface between the door and the firebox. Photographed before and after.

Learn more

Liners & Relining

Stainless liners for wood, gas and oil appliances, sized properly per flue. Essential where a modern boiler now vents into a Victorian-era chimney.

Learn more

Level 1 & Level 2 Inspections in Short Hills and nearby

Send us the details and we will book a proper look.

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