When a chimney fails, an inspection is needed to determine why and how to get it working again. But chimneys should be inspected long before they fail. This is how to prevent the cost and danger of major chimney damage.
Approved Chimney provides licensed chimney inspections throughout Hillsborough, NJ, and Somerset County, NJ. We perform annual safety inspections and specialized chimney inspections for unique circumstances.
If you live in the Hillsborough, NJ, area, here are some ways our chimney inspection services can help you.
Basic (Level 1) Chimney Inspection
A Level 1 chimney inspection should be scheduled annually. In fact, the State of New Jersey requires this annual inspection by a qualified chimney company or inspector.
Covering all readily accessible parts of your chimney and fireplace system, a Level 1 inspection can identify early signs of damage and malfunction so they can be fixed before they become dangerous.
Benefits of Annual Inspections
By having your Hillsborough, NJ, chimney inspected once a year, you’ll reduce the likelihood of experiencing:
- A chimney fire
- Widespread chimney masonry damage
- Smoke and deadly carbon monoxide in your home
- A leaky chimney and the resulting damage
- Fines from the State of New Jersey for clearance and structural violations
- The high cost of major chimney repairs and wasted fuel
Specialized Inspections
The Level 1 inspection is ideal for our Hillsborough, NJ, customers under “normal” operating circumstances. But circumstances around a chimney can change, and there are inspections designed to address those changes.
Special inspections, including the use of a video camera, are required in the following circumstances. These are known as Level 2 and Level 3 inspections.
You’re selling your Hillsborough, NJ home
A real estate inspector will take a look at your chimney as part of their home inspection during a sale. But this individual won’t be nearly as thorough as our certified chimney inspectors.
If you’re in the process of selling your home, call us for a Level 2 chimney inspection. If you live outside our service area, contact a local chimney company.
An event may have caused damage
Earthquakes, strong winds, pounding hail, and lightning strikes regularly cause chimney damage. So do chimney fires, incorrect chimney construction, and faulty repairs.
A Level 2 inspection includes everything in a Level 1 but goes deeper to search for chimney damage after an unusual event.
The chimney system is being modified
Your Hillsborough, NJ, chimney should receive a Level 2 inspection when you’re:
- Connecting a new appliance to draft through the chimney
- Changing to a new fuel, such as adding a gas insert to a wood-burning fireplace
- Having your chimney liner replaced
Your chimney has suffered severe damage
An advanced Level 3 chimney inspection is required when a chimney has suffered severe damage. These inspections involve dismantling parts of the chimney structure and, if necessary, the home to determine the nature and extent of the damage.
Schedule Your Next Chimney Inspection
If more than a year has passed since your Hillsborough, NJ, chimney was last inspected, now is the time to call Approved Chimney and schedule this service.
Speak with a chimney professional by phone to learn more. You can also get in touch through our contact form.
We work throughout Hillsborough, NJ, as well as Belle Mead, NJ, Somerset, NJ, Flagtown, NJ, Somerville, NJ, and other local communities.
