Chimney Inspection — Levels 1, 2 & 3
NFPA 211 inspections with video camera flue scans and a written photo report — for annual checkups, home sales and anything a fire or storm may have left behind.
What is a chimney inspection?
A chimney is the one part of your house that routinely carries 500°F gases past wood framing — and almost all of it is hidden inside walls, above ceilings and down a dark flue. An inspection is how you find out what's actually going on in there. NFPA 211, the national standard for chimneys and venting, defines three levels of inspection, each matched to a situation. Knowing which one you need is half the value of hiring a pro.
Whatever the level, a Texan Flue inspection ends the same way: a written report with photos, plain-English findings, and upfront pricing on anything that needs attention. No scare tactics — you see exactly what we see.
Level 1 — the annual checkup
A Level 1 is a visual examination of all readily accessible parts of the chimney: the firebox, damper, the flue as far as a flashlight reaches, the exterior masonry, crown and cap. It's the right inspection when nothing has changed — same appliance, same fuel, routine use — and it's what NFPA 211 recommends every year for every chimney, even one that's rarely used. In North Texas, an annual look matters more than most places: our freeze–thaw cycles and clay-soil movement open crown cracks and shift masonry between one season and the next.
Level 2 — the camera inspection
A Level 2 includes everything in a Level 1 plus accessible attics, crawl spaces and the rooftop — and, critically, a video camera scan of the entire flue. The camera travels the full length of the liner and documents cracked flue tiles, open mortar joints, gaps and hidden creosote that no flashlight can reach. NFPA 211 requires a Level 2 whenever a home is sold or transferred, after any chimney fire, lightning strike or serious storm event, and any time you change the fuel type or connect a new appliance. If you're buying a home in DFW, this is the inspection to insist on — a general home inspector does not scan the flue.
Level 3 — when a hazard is suspected
A Level 3 is the rare, invasive inspection: it includes everything in a Level 2, plus removal of components — a chimney crown section, interior chase wall or surround — where a hidden hazard is suspected and can't be confirmed any other way. We only recommend a Level 3 when Level 2 findings justify it, we explain exactly what must be opened and why, and we put it in writing first. If the camera has already revealed liner damage, flue repair and relining is usually the next conversation.
When a chimney needs professional eyes.
Buying or selling a home
NFPA 211 calls for a Level 2 camera inspection on every sale or transfer — before papers are signed.
After a chimney fire
Even a brief flue fire can crack tiles from the inside. If you heard roaring or popping, get it scanned.
Storm or lightning damage
DFW hail, high winds and lightning strikes crack crowns and shift caps — often invisibly from the ground.
White stains or spalling brick
Efflorescence and flaking brick faces mean water is moving through the masonry.
Cracks above the fireplace
Drywall cracks near the chimney can signal foundation or chase movement — common in North Texas clay soil.
No inspection in over a year
Annual inspection is the standard for every chimney — gas, wood or rarely used.
Documented from firebox to crown.
Match the Level
We ask what changed — sale, fire, new appliance or just the calendar — and recommend the right NFPA 211 level, priced upfront.
Full Examination
Firebox, damper, flue, crown, cap, flashing and exterior masonry — plus attic and rooftop access on Level 2.
Camera Scan
On Level 2 and above, a video camera travels the entire flue, recording every tile joint and defect.
Written Report
Same-day findings with photos, camera stills and clear recommendations — yours to keep or hand to a buyer.
Chimney inspections, answered.
How much does a chimney inspection cost in DFW?
Texan Flue runs a $49 chimney inspection special across Dallas–Fort Worth — a certified tech checks your chimney from firebox to cap and walks you through photos of what we find. A Level 2 video-documented inspection for a home sale or after a chimney fire runs $199–$399 depending on the chimney, quoted exactly before we start.
Which inspection level do I actually need?
If nothing has changed and the system gets routine use, an annual Level 1 is enough. Buying or selling the home, switching fuel or appliance, or any fire, storm or seismic event calls for a Level 2 with a camera scan. A Level 3 is only ordered when a Level 2 finds evidence of a hidden hazard that can't be confirmed without opening things up.
Do I need a chimney inspection when buying a house in DFW?
Yes — NFPA 211 specifies a Level 2 inspection whenever a property is sold or transferred. A general home inspector only glances at the chimney from the hearth and the yard; a camera scan of the flue routinely finds cracked tiles, gaps and creosote that a home inspection misses entirely.
What do I get after the inspection?
A written report with photos — and camera footage stills for Level 2 and above — documenting the condition of the flue, crown, cap, firebox, damper and exterior masonry, plus clear recommendations with upfront pricing if anything needs work. It's yours to keep, share with a buyer or file with insurance.
How long does a chimney inspection take?
A Level 1 usually takes 30–45 minutes. A Level 2 with a full camera scan of the flue, plus attic and rooftop access, generally takes one to two hours. You get the findings and photos the same day.
What inspections often lead to.
Know exactly what's up there.
Book a $49 inspection and get findings, photos and an exact price the same day.
(469) 980-1178One call keeps the fire where it belongs.