Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Masonry repairLevel 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.
Styles & brands we work with
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterLevel 2 Inspection in Yonkers, NY
A Level 2 chimney inspection in Yonkers typically costs $175 to $400 and is the standard next step after a chimney fire, a change in heating appliance, a real estate transaction, or any event that may have damaged the flue. Hadley Chimney Yonkers performs video-scanned Level 2 inspections with before-and-after documentation, so you see exactly what we see inside the flue before anyone picks up a brush. Call (914) 233-3156 to schedule, and we’ll give you a written price before any work starts.
Our Chimney Cleaning & Sweep in Yonkers page covers routine maintenance, but a Level 2 inspection goes deeper. Where a Level 1 inspection covers the readily accessible parts of your fireplace and chimney, a Level 2 adds video scanning of the entire flue interior plus an evaluation of the attic, crawlspace, and exterior chimney structure. For homeowners navigating a home sale in places like Fleetwood, Park Hill, and Lincoln Park, this is the inspection real estate attorneys and insurance carriers routinely request.
When You Need Level 2 Inspection
Most homeowners don’t think about chimney inspections until something forces the issue. These are the situations where a Level 2 is the right call, and in Yonkers we see most of them every week:
- You’re buying or selling a home in Yonkers. Lenders and insurance underwriters around Westchester often require a Level 2 inspection before closing, especially on homes built before 1990 where the original clay tile liner may be cracked or missing mortar joints.
- A chimney fire occurred, even a small one you put out yourself. Creosote burns at around 2,000 degrees, and that heat can crack flue tiles invisibly. In the hilly neighborhoods like Nepera Park and Dunwoodie, we regularly find hairline cracks after homeowners report a “roaring sound” that turned out to be a chimney fire.
- You’ve switched fuel types or upgraded your heating appliance. Converting from oil to natural gas, or installing a high-efficiency furnace, changes the flue gas profile. The old liner may not be sized or rated for the new exhaust temperatures.
- A storm, falling tree branch, or construction nearby shook the house. Yonkers gets nor’easters and summer microbursts. Masonry chimneys take wind loads hard, and a truck hitting a curb on Saw Mill River Road sends vibrations through foundations.
- You notice spalling brick, white stains, or a leaning chimney. These are outward signs of water intrusion and structural stress. The interior is often worse than the exterior suggests.
- It’s been more than 10 years since anyone looked inside the flue. The National Fire Protection Association recommends a Level 2 inspection whenever a property changes hands, but an annual Level 1 visual check paired with a periodic Level 2 is a smart maintenance rhythm for any wood-burning household.
One thing worth saying directly: none of these situations is rare in Yonkers. The housing stock here runs old. A lot of chimneys in Crestwood, Beech Hill, and Bryn Mawr were built in the 1920s and 1930s, and their clay liners were never designed to handle the last 40 years of moisture and freeze-thaw cycling.
Our Level 2 Inspection Process
Here’s what happens when you book a Level 2 inspection with Hadley Chimney Yonkers. You’ll know what the tech checks, what the photos will show you, and what the report looks like before we ever set foot on the roof.
- Arrival and exterior walkaround. Your background-checked, uniformed technician arrives in a tracked window, not a four-hour guess. We inspect the chimney cap, crown, flashing, brick face, and mortar joints from the ground and from the roof, photographing everything.
- Attic and crawlspace evaluation. If accessible, we examine the chimney where it passes through the attic or crawlspace. This is where hidden moisture damage and fire-code clearance issues show up in older Yonkers homes.
- Video camera scan of the flue interior. This is the core of a Level 2. We run a high-resolution camera from the firebox to the chimney crown, recording the full liner interior. You’ll see the footage, not just hear a summary of it.
- Firebox, damper, and smoke chamber check. We assess the firebox brick, the damper operation, and the smoke chamber transition. HeatShield ceramic repair compound is one of the materials we work with when the smoke chamber needs resurfacing, but during an inspection we just document current condition.
- Written report with photos and pricing. You receive a written inspection report with still images from the video scan, a plain-English explanation of every finding, and a clear list of any recommended repairs. If repairs are needed, the written quote comes before any work starts, not after we’ve started dismantling anything.
Every Level 2 inspection with Hadley follows The Relay Visibility Guarantee, the standard we operate under as part of the Relay Home Co. family. That means live arrival tracking, photo documentation of every step, and a digital invoice you can pay from a link. There’s no version of this job where we leave you guessing.
Level 2 Inspection Pricing in Yonkers
Pricing is straightforward, but let’s talk numbers so you’re not surprised. A standalone Level 2 inspection in Yonkers generally runs between $175 and $400. Here’s the breakdown that determines where your job falls:
| Scenario | Typical Cost Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate transaction Level 2 | $225 – $400 | Full inspection, video scan, written report with photos for closing documents |
| Post-chimney-fire Level 2 | $250 – $400 | Inspection plus detailed damage assessment for insurance claims |
| Level 2 bundled with chimney cleaning | $150 – $300 (inspection portion) | Sweep plus inspection, discounted as a combined service |
| Appliance-change Level 2 (oil to gas, new insert) | $200 – $350 | Inspection with flue sizing and liner-compatibility assessment |
What affects the cost: roof pitch and height, accessibility of the attic or crawlspace, whether the chimney has multiple flues, and how far the liner outlet is from the roofline. A three-story Victorian in Park Hill with a steep slate roof costs more to inspect than a single-story ranch in Southeast Yonkers. None of this is a mystery we spring on you later. The written price is provided before any work starts, every single time.
One more number worth knowing: a Level 2 inspection that uncovers a cracked liner often saves you from a much larger repair later. Replacing a flue liner in Yonkers can run from $3,000 to $7,000 depending on the liner system and chimney height. A cracked tile caught early, addressed with a product like HeatShield or a DuraFlex stainless liner, is predictable. A chimney fire is not.
Materials We Use and Trust
A Level 2 inspection doesn’t involve installing parts, but the findings often lead to repair recommendations. When those repairs happen, we work with materials chimney professionals actually rely on, not whatever is cheapest on the truck. That includes HeatShield ceramic repair compound for resurfacing damaged smoke chambers and flue joints, Gelco chimney cap and chase cover products for top-of-chimney protection, and Olympia Chimney stainless liner components for relining jobs. We mention this because a repair recommendation on an inspection report only matters if the materials behind it are built to last.
FAQs – Level 2 Inspection
How long does a Level 2 inspection take?
A Level 2 inspection in Yonkers typically takes 60 to 90 minutes on site, depending on roof access and whether the attic or crawlspace is reachable. You’ll receive your written report and photos the same day, usually within a few hours of the inspection. If you need the report for a closing, tell us when you book and we’ll prioritize turnaround. Call (914) 233-3156 to schedule around your closing date.
Is a Level 2 inspection required when selling a house in Yonkers?
It’s not required by New York state law, but many Yonkers home inspectors, real estate attorneys, and insurance carriers request a Level 2 inspection as part of the transaction when there’s evidence of prior chimney use or visible masonry issues. If you’re selling, getting it done early avoids a delayed closing. If you’re buying, it’s the best way to know whether that charming fireplace in a Park Hill colonial is safe to use or needs a five-figure rebuild.
What’s the difference between a Level 1 and Level 2 inspection?
A Level 1 inspection is a visual check of the accessible parts of the fireplace and chimney, done during a standard sweep. A Level 2 adds video scanning of the entire flue interior and an evaluation of the attic, crawlspace, and exterior chimney structure. If you use your fireplace regularly and haven’t had a Level 2 in years, the video scan is the part that catches what your eyes can’t see.
Can you do a Level 2 inspection the same day?
We keep schedule room for same-day and next-day Level 2 inspections in Yonkers, but during real estate season in spring and early summer, booking a few days out is safer. Calls are answered by a live person 24/7, so you won’t hit a voicemail loop at midnight when you realize the closing is Thursday. Reach us at (914) 233-3156 and we’ll find a window that works.
Does a Level 2 inspection include a cleaning?
No. A Level 2 inspection is a detailed evaluation, not a cleaning service. If the video scan reveals heavy creosote buildup (the flammable tar that accumulates from wood smoke), we’ll recommend a sweep. We can bundle both services in one visit and you’ll still get one written price before anything starts. For more on that, see our Chimney Cleaning & Sweep in Yonkers page.
Why Hadley Chimney Yonkers for Your Level 2 Inspection
Chimney inspection is a trade built on trust, and trust comes from transparency. Hadley Chimney Sweep has been at this since 2003, and we’ve operated under The Relay Visibility Guarantee the entire time we’ve been part of the Relay Home Co. family. Here’s what that means for your Level 2 inspection, in plainer terms:
- You see what we see. Before-and-after photos and video scan footage on every job, not just the big ones. The camera doesn’t lie, and we don’t hide behind vague wording.
- A written price before any work starts. Every single time. The inspection price is quoted when you book, and any repair recommendations come with a separate written quote before we do anything beyond the inspection.
- 365-Day Done Right Promise. If a repair we make doesn’t hold up within 365 days, we come back and make it right, free. That’s a written guarantee on every repair we do, not a verbal shrug.
- A live person answers 24/7. Call at noon or midnight. You get a real human in Yonkers who can book the job, answer a question, or walk you through what the report says.
- Background-checked, uniformed technicians. Someone shows up in a tracked window, wearing a uniform, with a name you know in advance.
Cory Mitchell leads the Hadley Chimney Yonkers team, and the standard he holds us to is simple: show up on time, document everything, price honestly, and fix it right the first time. If you have questions about a Level 2 inspection or want to know if your specific situation needs one, call (914) 233-3156 and ask. You’ll get a straight answer.
Ready to book? Call (914) 233-3156 now for a free estimate on your Level 2 inspection in Yonkers. We’ll quote the price on the phone and schedule your tracked arrival window, so you know exactly who is coming and when.
Written by Cory Mitchell, Owner at Hadley Chimney Yonkers, serving Yonkers.