An inspection tells you what condition your chimney is genuinely in — not how it looks from the driveway. Ace Chimney Service performs Level 1 and Level 2 inspections throughout Crystal Lake and McHenry County, with written documentation you can hand to a buyer, an agent, or an insurer.
The inspection levels, in plain terms
The industry recognises three levels, and the difference between them is simply how far the inspector is expected to go.
Level 1
The standard annual check for a system that has not changed and is being used the same way as last year. We examine the readily accessible portions: the firebox, damper, smoke chamber, the visible exterior masonry, the crown and cap, and the accessible interior of the flue. Every chimney sweep we carry out includes one.
Level 2
Required when a property changes hands, when the appliance or fuel type changes, or after any event that might have damaged the structure — a chimney fire, a lightning strike, a severe storm. It covers everything in a Level 1 and adds the accessible attic, basement, and crawl space portions, plus a video scan of the full flue interior.
Level 3
Reserved for cases where a serious hazard is suspected and confirming it requires opening up concealed parts of the chimney or building. It is uncommon, and nobody should recommend one without first showing you why a Level 2 was not conclusive.
What we are actually looking for
- Cracked, shifted, or missing flue tiles
- Gaps in mortar joints inside the flue
- Heavy or glazed creosote that brushing will not remove
- A cracked or undersized crown letting water into the masonry
- Missing or damaged caps, and animal entry
- Spalling brick and failed mortar on the exterior stack
- Blocked flues, nests, and debris
- Clearance problems where the chimney passes framing
Why Crystal Lake winters are hard on chimneys
Northern Illinois runs through dozens of freeze-thaw cycles between November and March. Water that soaks into masonry during a thaw expands when it refreezes, and each cycle opens the mortar a little further. That is the mechanism behind most of the deterioration we document here — not age on its own, but water plus repeated freezing.
It is also why so much of what we find traces back to the top of the stack. A failed crown or a missing cap lets water into the structure, and the damage then works downward out of sight. Where we find that, caps and crowns is usually the first repair, and masonry repair follows if the joints have already opened up.
Buying or selling a home in McHenry County
General home inspectors rarely scan a flue with a camera; most note the chimney’s exterior and recommend a specialist. If a contract is contingent on the fireplace, a Level 2 inspection is the document that settles the question. We schedule these seven days a week, 7am to 7pm, which usually keeps them off the critical path of a closing.
Call (815) 320-0883 or request an appointment online. Inspection pricing is published on our pricing page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Level 1 and Level 2 inspection?
A Level 1 covers the readily accessible parts of the chimney and is right for a system in continuous use with no changes. A Level 2 adds the attic, crawl space, and a video scan of the flue interior, and is required when a home is sold or an appliance changes.
When is a Level 2 inspection required?
On sale or transfer of a property, after a chimney fire or an earthquake or other event that could have damaged the structure, and whenever you change the fuel type or install a different appliance.
Do you use a camera?
Yes. A Level 2 inspection includes a video scan of the flue interior, which is the only reliable way to see cracked tiles, gaps in the mortar joints, or a liner that has separated.
How long does an inspection take?
A Level 1 takes roughly half an hour to an hour. A Level 2 is longer, usually between one and two hours depending on how many flues the chimney contains and how accessible the attic run is.
Will I get a written report?
Yes. You receive documentation of what was examined and what was found, with photographs of anything that needs attention. That report is what buyers, sellers, and insurers usually ask for.
My chimney looks fine from outside. Is an inspection still worth it?
Usually yes. Almost everything that makes a chimney unsafe happens inside the flue or behind the masonry, where it is invisible from the ground.
Do you inspect chimneys that are not used?
Yes, and unused flues often hold surprises: nests, water damage, and deteriorated liners. If you are thinking about lighting a long-dormant fireplace, inspect it first.
Is an inspection included when you sweep?
A Level 1 inspection is part of every sweep. A Level 2 is a separate, more thorough service, normally arranged around a property sale or after a suspected chimney fire.
Published: July 24, 2026