Real Estate Inspections 101

The real estate business is hot right now! If you’re buying or selling a home, you likely know the importance of investing in a real estate inspection. But did you know that it’s also important to schedule a Level 2 inspection with a CSIA certified chimney technician?

In fact, most homeowners are surprised to learn that there are a number of things home inspectors don’t have to inspect when looking over the chimney. Because of this, many sellers or buyers think the fireplace is good to go, when in fact there are a lot of problems hiding out in the flue.

That’s why, per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a Level 2 chimney inspection is the standard when buying/selling a home. And for homeowners throughout Davidsonville, Edgewater, Severna Park, and more, the professionals at Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County are here to help with it all!

What Does a Level 2 Inspection Entail?

So, what can you expect from us after booking your Level 2 inspection? Well, we’ll use specialized digital/video equipment to look for any cracks, gaps, separations, or other imperfections throughout your system. If there is anything there that could affect the safety and performance of your system, we’ll be sure to spot it!

We also look for flaws in the chimney venting system, as well as any potential water entry points and any issues with the sizing of the appliance in regards to the venting system.

Any combustibles nearby? We’ll check for proper clearances, ensuring your risk of experiencing a house fire is as low as possible.

When all is said and done, we’ll create a report, review it with you, and then send it to your e-mail, all before leaving your property. Getting a detailed inspection report back is important with any inspection, but during the transfer of property, it’s a must!

Whether you’re buying or selling, we want to ensure you don’t miss a thing, so getting our analysis over to you quickly is something we take pride in.

And who all are the results shared with? We’ll share these with the person who contracted the inspection, as well as anyone they want to share the results with.

Why is a Level 2 Inspection Important During the Transfer of Property?

Like we said, when making an investment as big as a new home, you want to make totally certain that all of your bases are covered. There are two main reasons we feel that these inspections are such a vital piece of the home-selling or home-buying process.
1. Level 2 inspections offer a baseline look at the current condition of the chimney system. This enables you to note what changes and issues have occurred overtime, so you can act on those quickly, keeping your system healthier, stronger, and functioning as efficiently as possible.
2. These in-depth inspections also alert the homeowners to any potential issues that can affect performance or safety. Remember – you’re building a fire in your home, and issues throughout the system can increase your likelihood of experiencing house fires, chimney fires, smoke inhalation, carbon monoxide exposure, and more. All in all, inspections minimize your risk of damages, injuries, and inefficiency.

What’s My Role as the Homeowner?

Many homeowners wonder what they can look for in terms of damages or malfunctioning chimney parts. It’s hard not to feel stressed out about the things that can go wrong, so many want to know the warning signs.
Unfortunately, while some damages are obvious and easy to spot, a large majority are not visible to the naked eye. In these cases, an expert’s insight is required to get that up-close and personal look at condition of your chimney system. That’s why booking an inspection before buying a home is such a vital step!

The good part is that once you call on our crew, you can immediately start to rest easier. When you trust in us, you’ll be in the best hands around, allowing you the ability to sit back, relax, and know that any and all of your chimney-related issues are being taken care of.

And remember – once you’ve got that dream home with a beautiful, cozy fireplace in place, it’s important to keep up with those inspections annually. Be sure to call us in before every burning season!

Let Our Experts Take Care of it All

Need an inspection for your wood stove, furnace, gas fireplace, or fireplace? Give the crew at Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County a call or visit our website to book an appointment. We employ CSIA-certified techs that are known for being professional, communicative, and helpful. We’re here to answer your questions and ensure you feel good about using your fireplace with every burning season.

Our thoroughness, dedication to education, and obsession with customer satisfaction sets us apart from the rest, which is why homeowners throughout the area continue to turn to us time and time again.

Ready for the quality care you deserve? Pick up the phone and dial our number now. We can’t wait to speak with you soon!