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Gas fireplace serviceLevel 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
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AfterLevel 2 Inspection in Marietta, GA
A Level 2 chimney inspection in Marietta typically costs between $250 and $450, and it uses a video camera to look inside the flue from top to bottom. You need this level of inspection when something about your chimney has changed: you bought the home, a storm rolled through, an earthquake hit, or you haven’t used the fireplace in years and want to start again. Hadley Chimney Marietta performs Level 2 inspections as part of our broader Chimney Cleaning & Sweep in Marietta service, and we do it with the same transparency you’d expect from any modern home service: a written price before work starts, photos you can actually see, and a live person on the phone when you call (762) 249-4619.
When You Need Level 2 Inspection
A standard Level 1 inspection happens during a routine chimney sweep when nothing has changed about your fireplace setup. A Level 2 goes deeper. Here are the specific situations where a Level 2 inspection is the right call in Marietta:
- You just bought the home. Real estate transactions in Marietta frequently trigger Level 2 inspections, and many lenders and insurance companies require them before closing. The inspector needs to verify the flue isn’t hiding a cracked liner or a bird’s nest the seller didn’t mention.
- You just listed the home for sale. If you’re selling in East Cobb or near the Marietta Square, a Level 2 inspection report shows buyers you’ve done your homework. It can head off inspection objections before they become contract negotiations.
- A strong storm came through. Marietta gets hit hard by spring and summer thunderstorms, and hail or falling limbs can knock a chimney cap loose, crack the crown, or shift the masonry. A Level 2 inspection uses the camera to confirm the flue is still intact after the storm passes.
- The chimney has been dormant for years. If you’ve never used the fireplace since moving in, or you’ve skipped several seasons, the flue liner may have deteriorated without you knowing. Georgia’s humidity accelerates rust and spalling in older masonry chimneys.
- You’re changing the appliance. Switching from a wood-burning fireplace to a gas insert, or adding a new liner, changes the dynamics inside the flue. The Level 2 inspection verifies the existing structure can handle the new setup safely.
- You had a chimney fire or a close call. If you’ve ever heard a roar from the fireplace, seen flames shooting from the top of the chimney, or spotted creosote (the flammable tar buildup that makes chimneys a fire risk) flaking down into the firebox, you need a camera inspection before burning again.
Our Level 2 Inspection Process
Here’s what happens when you book a Level 2 inspection with Hadley Chimney Marietta. We send a background-checked, uniformed technician in a tracked arrival window, not a four-hour guess. You’ll know exactly who is coming and when.
- We confirm the scope and give you a written price. Before anyone climbs a ladder, you’ll have the inspection cost in writing. If the inspection reveals repair work, we price that separately and get your approval before proceeding. No surprise charges at the door, ever.
- We inspect the accessible exterior. The technician checks the chimney crown, cap, flashing, and masonry from the ground and, where safe, from the roof. We look for cracks in the crown, gaps in the flashing, missing mortar joints, and any sign that water is getting where it shouldn’t.
- We camera-scan the flue. This is the core of a Level 2 inspection. We run a video camera through the flue liner from the firebox up through the top, capturing footage of every inch. The camera shows us cracks in the clay liner, gaps between liner sections, creosote buildup, animal debris, and any obstruction that would keep exhaust from venting properly.
- We check the accessible interior. The firebox, damper, smoke chamber, and smoke shelf all get examined. We’re looking for signs of heat damage, rust, moisture intrusion, or gaps that would let smoke or carbon monoxide back into the house.
- We document everything with photos and video. You’ll see the camera footage we saw. You don’t have to take our word for a cracked liner: the photos show it. That’s part of The Relay Visibility Guarantee, and it’s built into every inspection we do, not just the big-ticket jobs.
- You get a written report and a straight answer. We sit down with you, go over the footage, and explain what the chimney needs. If it’s clean and safe, we say so. If it needs repair, we show you exactly where and why, and we give you a written price for that work too. Every repair we recommend comes with our 365-Day Done Right Promise and a written guarantee.
Level 2 Inspection Pricing in Marietta
A Level 2 chimney inspection in Marietta generally runs between $250 and $450 depending on the chimney’s height, accessibility, and what we find. Here’s what drives the price:
- Roof pitch and access. A steep roof on a two-story home near Kennesaw Mountain takes longer to access safely than a single-story ranch on a flat lot off Powers Ferry Road. Steeper pitches and taller chimneys add time and equipment.
- Camera equipment. Level 2 inspections require a flue camera, which is specialized gear. That equipment cost is built into the inspection price, not tacked on as a mystery fee.
- Chimney condition. If the flue is heavily coated with creosote, we may need to clean it before the camera can get a clear picture. We’ll tell you that upfront and include the sweep cost in your written estimate before starting.
- Repairs discovered during the inspection. The inspection price covers the diagnosis. If the camera finds a cracked liner or a damaged cap, the repair is priced separately. We use materials from brands like HeatShield, Gelco, and Olympia Chimney because they’re what chimney pros actually rely on, not whatever is cheapest on the truck.
We don’t hide behind vague “call for pricing” on the inspection itself. You’ll get a written price before we start, every single time. And if you want an exact number for your chimney, call (762) 249-4619 and we’ll talk through what you’re working with. Estimates are free.
Level 2 Inspection vs. Level 1: What’s the Difference?
A Level 1 inspection happens during a routine chimney sweep. The technician checks the readily accessible parts: the firebox, the damper, the flue opening, the exterior cap. No camera. No climbing into attics or crawl spaces. It’s the right inspection when nothing has changed about your fireplace.
A Level 2 inspection goes further because something has changed. Maybe the home changed hands, maybe a storm hit, maybe the fireplace sat unused for five years. The camera lets us see the full length of the flue liner, which is the part of the chimney you can’t see from the ground or the firebox. The flue liner is the barrier that keeps heat, sparks, and carbon monoxide from reaching the wood framing of your house. In Marietta’s older homes, particularly those built before the 1940s in neighborhoods near the Square, many chimneys were built without clay liners at all, and those that have them often show cracks after decades of Georgia heat and humidity cycles.
What the Camera Usually Finds in Marietta Chimneys
After two decades of inspecting chimneys in Cobb County, we see the same issues show up on the camera again and again. Here’s what Marietta homeowners should know:
- Cracked clay flue liners. Clay tiles crack from thermal stress, especially in older homes where the chimney has been through decades of hot fires and cold winter mornings. A cracked liner can’t contain the heat and gases the way it should.
- Missing mortar between liner sections. Masonry chimneys are built in sections, and the mortar joints between those sections erode over time. The camera shows the gaps clearly.
- Creosote glaze. This is the hard, shiny, tar-like form of creosote that forms when fires burn hot and then cool quickly. It’s stubborn to remove and highly flammable. It’s common in chimneys that have been swept rarely or never.
- Animal nests and debris. Marietta’s raccoons, squirrels, and chimney swifts don’t ask permission. Nests block airflow and can catch fire. The camera finds them even when they’re not visible from the top.
- Rusted-out dampers. Georgia’s humidity takes a toll on metal dampers, and a rusted damper that won’t open or close properly affects draft and efficiency.
- Spalling brick on the exterior. This isn’t a camera finding, but our exterior inspection catches it frequently. Water gets into the brick, freezes and thaws through Marietta’s winter temperature swings, and the brick face pops off. Left alone, it weakens the chimney structure.
Why Hadley Chimney Marietta Does Level 2 Inspections Differently
Chimney work has a reputation problem. Vague arrival windows. Verbal quotes that grow once the tech is on the roof. Photos that never get sent. We built Hadley Chimney Marietta to work differently, and the Level 2 inspection is where you’ll notice it most.
You get the camera footage, not just our word for it. The Relay Visibility Guarantee means before-and-after photo documentation is standard on every job, including inspections. When we tell you the flue liner is cracked at the 14-foot mark, you’ll see the crack yourself.
Your price is written before anyone starts. The inspection price is agreed to upfront. If the camera finds repair work, that price is also written, itemized, and approved by you before we do anything else. No surprises at the door.
You get a real person when you call. No voicemail loops. No “we’ll call you back.” A live person answers (762) 249-4619 24/7, including nights and weekends when chimney questions tend to surface.
Our guarantees are specific. Every repair carries a written guarantee and a free second visit if the repair fails within 365 days. That’s the 365-Day Done Right Promise, and it’s not a promotional offer. It’s how we’ve worked since 2003.
We use materials built to last. When the inspection turns into a repair, we reach for HeatShield ceramic repair compound, Gelco resurfacing products, and Olympia Chimney components. These are the brands chimney pros trust, because they hold up through Marietta’s humid summers and cold snaps.
FAQs – Level 2 Inspection
How much does a Level 2 chimney inspection cost in Marietta?
A Level 2 chimney inspection in Marietta typically costs between $250 and $450, depending on roof access, chimney height, and whether the flue needs a pre-inspection cleaning. You’ll get a written price before we start, and if the inspection uncovers repairs, we’ll price those separately for your approval. Call (762) 249-4619 for an exact quote for your chimney. Estimates are free.
How long does a Level 2 inspection take?
Most Level 2 inspections in Marietta take between 60 and 90 minutes from arrival to written report. Factors that add time include steep roof access, a heavily creosote-coated flue that needs cleaning before the camera scan, or multiple flues to inspect. You’ll know the tech’s arrival window before we come, and you’ll get the full report and footage the same day.
Is a Level 2 inspection required when buying a home in Marietta?
Many home inspectors in Cobb County flag chimneys for a Level 2 inspection during real estate transactions, and some lenders or insurance companies in the Marietta area require a clean inspection report before closing. Even when it’s not required, the camera scan is the only way to know whether the flue liner is intact. A standard home inspection doesn’t include a flue camera scan, so a Level 2 inspection is the step that catches hidden chimney fire hazards before you sign.
Does a Level 2 inspection include a chimney sweep?
A Level 2 inspection does not automatically include a sweep. If the flue is clean enough for the camera to get clear footage, we inspect right away. If there’s enough creosote buildup to obscure the liner, we’ll recommend a cleaning first and include that cost in your written estimate before any work begins. Call (762) 249-4619 and we’ll help you figure out whether your chimney needs a sweep, an inspection, or both.
Get Your Level 2 Inspection Scheduled in Marietta
If something about your chimney has changed, or you just want to know what’s actually happening inside that flue, call Hadley Chimney Marietta at (762) 249-4619. A live person will answer, listen to what’s going on, and book your Level 2 inspection with a written price and a tracked arrival window. You’ll get the camera footage, the photos, and a straight answer about what your chimney needs. No guesswork, no vague windows, no surprises at the door.
Written by Cory Mitchell, Owner at Hadley Chimney Marietta, serving Marietta.