by Mark Hudson | Apr 30, 2019 | Real Estate Chimney Inspection
If you’re in the market to buy or sell a home, you may want to take another look at the home inspection. A standard home is a general assessment of the entire house. If the home you’re looking to buy or sell has a chimney, it needs a home inspection and a chimney inspection. While the home inspection is an overall assessment of the whole property, the chimney real estate inspection is a thorough assessment of the entire chimney system—inside and out.
Chimney Inspections for Real Estate
If you’re working with a REALTOR or lender, then they might have already mentioned a home inspection. However, if your property is under contract, then you likely have a home inspection already scheduled. If your home has a chimney, however, it’s important to schedule a chimney inspection by a certified professional. A home inspection determines if the interior and exterior of the chimney are sound and the structure is “plumb”. A real estate chimney inspection checks out the chimney from top to bottom thoroughly to ensure structural soundness and it’s working properly. In the industry, this inspection is called a level two inspection, required when properties are sold or transferred.
For a real estate inspection, a chimney professional will take a look the following:
- All accessible portions of the chimney interior and exterior
- Chimney access by way of attic, crawlspace, and basement
- Inspection of connections, working parts, firebox, and interior/exterior fixtures
- A video scan of the flue interior
After your inspection, you should receive a written report from your chimney sweep, include photos and video footage. Once the chimney is assessed, any damage or repairs can be added to your real estate disclosures. If you’re the buyer, you can add stipulations to the contract for the sellers to complete the repairs.
Your New Chimney
A new home purchase is something to celebrate. The last thing you want is for the joy of the occasion to be clouded by the realization that your new fireplace isn’t safe to use. If your home inspector gives your chimney a clean bill of health, and you go ahead with your purchase without scheduling a chimney inspection, you may find that your chimney is actually a hazard.
Scheduling chimney sweeps and inspections on a regular basis keeps your systems safe and efficient. If you’ve never owned a home with a fire appliance or chimney system, no worries!
Call Hudson Chimney for your chimney needs
Contact Hudson Chimney and we’ll complete your real estate inspection. We offer a report, make a repair plan, and can take care of all your comprehensive chimney care needs. Our team members are CSIA certified, and we have been serving the Jacksonville area for over 30 years. We work with REALTORs, lenders, property managers, and real estate attorneys to bring prospective home buyers the safest and most comfortable fireplaces in their new homes. Reach Hudson Chimney at 904-282-4159, and schedule your real estate inspection today.
by Mark Hudson | Aug 8, 2017 | Chimney Inspections
To protect all parties and provide full disclosure to the prospective buyers prior to making the purchase, a chimney inspection should be scheduled. When a home-buyer finds their dream home, they want to know exactly what they’re getting. A standard home inspection will not thoroughly evaluate a chimney system. It can’t. Only a certified chimney expert has the training and experience to assess a chimney system, and present a valid report of their findings.
CSIA Inspections
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) is the national standard for the chimney industry. CSIA certified chimney sweeps undergo extensive classroom and field training in order to meet this high standard. They also adhere to a stringent code of ethics to maintain certification. In addition, a re-examination or continued education every three years is required. These standards of education, training, and performance give them the capability to inspect chimneys and fireplaces of all kinds. Thus, giving them the CSIA signature desired by realtors, insurers, and code officers.
A standard home inspection is a visual observation the following:
- plumbing
- heating/cooling system
- electrical and appliance systems
- the roof
- foundations
- the basement
- walls
- doors
- windows
- chimneys
(Note: This assessment of the chimney is generally for structural soundness. It also doesn’t offer a report on the functionality of the chimney. Only a certified chimney sweep has the proper tools to assess the chimney system from top to bottom, inside and out, and offer a report of this kind.)
Level 2 CSIA Inspection
There are three levels of CSIA inspections required under different circumstances. The level 1 is the annual inspection required when no changes have been or will be made to the system. However, even if you had a level 1 inspection in the last year, a level 2 CSIA inspection is required before a sale or transfer of property. It is more thorough than a home inspection. It includes a visual inspection by video scanning of internal surfaces, and joints of the flue liner. This inspection includes everything in a level 1 inspection (standard annual inspection) plus the accessible portions of the chimney exterior and interior (attics, basements, crawl spaces). It will also address proper clearances from combustibles in accessible locations.
The home inspector may be able to use tools to determine if a chimney is plumb. Also, observe visible damage such as spalling or leaks, but to a home inspector a brick looks like a brick. A certified chimney sweep can determine if a chimney is constructed of the correct materials. Additionally, they can tell if the size and shape of the smoke chamber and flue are up to code, and if there are unseen hazards.
It’s in both the seller and buyer’s best interest to have a level 2 chimney inspection completed by a certified chimney expert, before a sale. Before papers are signed, or money crosses hands, the chimney report should be included in the disclosure statement.
Unlike home inspection companies, CSIA’s main priority is safety and keeping families and individuals safe. As CSIA members and certified sweeps, Hudson Chimney shares this priority, which is why we offer chimney inspections year-round. To schedule yours, call 904-282-4159.
