Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
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.
Styles & brands we work with
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterLevel 2 Inspection in Marietta, GA
A Level 2 chimney inspection in Marietta typically costs between $225 and $450, and Ashby Chimney Marietta includes a written price before any work starts so the number we quote is the number you pay. This is the inspection level most home insurance companies and real estate transactions require, because it uses a video scan to look inside the flue where a standard Level 1 inspection can’t see. If you’ve bought or sold a home in Cobb County, changed fuel sources, or had a chimney fire or storm event, this is the inspection you need. Call (478) 796-8742 and we’ll schedule a time that works, with a real arrival window from a live person on the phone.
We’re part of the Chimney Cleaning & Sweep in Marietta team that’s been serving this area since 2002 under the Kingswell Guarantee. Nathan Corliss leads our Marietta location, and every Level 2 inspection is performed by a background-checked, uniformed technician who shows up in the window we give you. Back at our home base, the same standard applies: written price, written guarantee, and a phone that a real person answers 24/7.
Here’s the straight talk on what a Level 2 inspection is: a Level 1 is the visual check you get with a standard sweep. A Level 2 goes further, running a camera through the flue to document cracks, gaps, creosote buildup, and liner damage you can’t see from the fireplace opening. In Marietta’s older neighborhoods like Whitlock Avenue, Cherokee Heights, and East Cobb, we regularly find flue liners with hairline cracks that have been slowly venting heat into the surrounding masonry for years. A Level 2 inspection catches that before it becomes a $4,000 repair or worse.
When You Need Level 2 Inspection
Most homeowners don’t need a Level 2 every year. A standard sweep with a Level 1 visual check covers routine maintenance. But there are specific situations where a Level 2 is not optional, and these are the ones we see most often in Marietta:
- You’re buying or selling a home. Most lenders and home inspectors in the Marietta and greater Cobb County market now require a Level 2 chimney inspection before closing. If the inspection turns up liner damage, the repair gets negotiated into the sale.
- A chimney fire or lightning strike occurred. Even a small chimney fire that self-extinguished can heat-shock a clay flue liner. The cracks may not be visible from the roof, but the camera will show them.
- You’ve changed fuel sources. Converting from wood to gas, or vice versa, changes the temperature profile and venting requirements of the flue. A Level 2 confirms the existing liner can handle the new appliance.
- There’s been an earthquake, hurricane, or severe storm. Marietta sits on the Brevard Fault Zone, and even minor seismic activity can shift masonry enough to crack a flue. Fall and spring storms with high wind have the same effect.
- You suspect hidden damage. You smell smoke in the house when the fireplace isn’t in use, see efflorescence (white staining) on the exterior chimney brick, or notice pieces of flue tile in the firebox.
- It’s been more than 5 years since your last Level 2. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 211) recommends Level 2 inspections whenever the conditions above apply, and at least every few years for homes with active fireplaces.
If you’re not sure whether you need a Level 2 or a Level 1, call us at (478) 796-8742. We’ll ask about your situation and tell you honestly which inspection fits, even if that means charging you less.
Our Level 2 Inspection Process
Here’s how a Level 2 inspection works when you book it with Ashby Chimney Marietta. The whole thing takes about 45 to 90 minutes depending on the chimney, and we leave nothing to guesswork.
- Written price first. Before any tools come off the truck, we give you a written quote. That number includes the inspection, the video documentation, and the report. It does not include hidden add-ons, and we never upsell you halfway through the job.
- Full visual check. Our technician examines the accessible portions of the chimney: the firebox, damper, smoke chamber, exterior masonry, flashing, cap, and crown. We use a bright light and a mirror system to see as far up the flue as physically possible without a camera.
- Video scan of the full flue. We run a closed-circuit camera from the firebox up to the chimney top. The camera documents the condition of the flue liner (the clay or steel tube that vents combustion gases out of your home), mortar joints, and any obstructions like animal nests or creosote glaze.
- Photograph everything worth noting. You get to see the images. If we find a crack, a gap, or a blockage, we show it to you on the spot and explain what it means, what it costs to fix, and whether it’s urgent or something to watch.
- Written report and written guarantee. You receive a full written inspection report with our documented findings and recommendations. If we recommend a repair, the written quote for that repair follows the same rule: the price we quote is the price you’ll pay, and the repair is covered by our written guarantee.
- Cleanup and follow-up. We lay drop cloths before we start and vacuum when we’re done. If any repair is needed, we’ll schedule it at your convenience, and if that repair fails inside the guarantee period, we come back at no charge. That’s the 365-Day Done Right Promise.
Throughout the process, you’ll know exactly who’s in your home. Our Marietta technicians are background-checked and uniformed, and they’ll introduce themselves by name at the door. Nathan Corliss has built this location on a simple rule: the person you talk to on the phone is connected to the crew that shows up, and the crew that shows up answers to a real owner, not a call center.
Level 2 Inspection Pricing in Marietta
Most Level 2 chimney inspections in Marietta run between $225 and $450. The range depends on the type of chimney, its height, accessibility, and whether we’re doing a single-flue or multi-flue inspection. Here’s how that breaks down:
- Standard single-flue Level 2 inspection: $225 to $325, including video documentation and written report.
- Multi-flue or two-story chimney with difficult roof access: $325 to $450. This covers larger homes in neighborhoods like Indian Hills, Lexington, and Whitlock Heights where roof pitches are steeper and chimneys are taller.
- Level 2 inspection combined with a chimney sweep: Add $150 to $200 to the standard sweep price. If your chimney hasn’t been cleaned in a few years, combining the sweep and inspection saves you a second trip charge and gives us a cleaner flue to inspect, which means better video footage.
- Real estate transaction inspection: Usually between $275 and $400. We coordinate directly with your realtor, title company, or home inspector, and we deliver the report in the format your lender or buyer needs.
What affects the price? Chimney height and roof pitch are the big ones. A one-story ranch in East Cobb with a simple brick chimney is faster and easier to inspect than a three-story colonial on a steep lot near the Square. If we find a blockage that prevents the camera from passing, we’ll tell you before we start what the options are and what they cost. You’ll never get a surprise charge at the end.
Every Level 2 inspection from Ashby Chimney Marietta includes a free estimate for any recommended repair, and that repair quote follows the same written-price rule. Call (478) 796-8742 and ask about a Level 2 inspection and we’ll give you a price on the phone that matches the price at your door.
What Our Level 2 Inspections Find in Marietta
We’ve inspected hundreds of chimneys across Marietta and Cobb County, and some findings show up more often than others. Knowing what we commonly see helps homeowners understand why a Level 2 is worth the money.
In the older neighborhoods around the Marietta Square and along Whitlock Avenue, clay flue liners from the 1960s and 1970s are reaching the end of their service life. Hairline cracks, spalling (flaking), and separated mortar joints are common. When we find liner damage, we typically recommend a stainless steel liner replacement using DuraFlex or Olympia Chimney materials, or a HeatShield resurfacing treatment if the original liner is salvageable. These are materials we stock because they’re proven in the trade, not whatever happened to be in the van.
In East Cobb homes built in the 1980s and 1990s, we often see DIY fireplace conversions or builder-grade liners that were undersized for the appliance from day one. A Famco cap replacement solves the rain and animal problem, but the liner itself may need resizing. In Marietta’s newer developments along the Barrett Parkway corridor, prefabricated chimney systems have their own failure modes: warped panels, failed chase caps, and gaps at the pipe connections. The Level 2 video scan finds all of it.
We also find a lot of what we call “good news” during Level 2 inspections: chimneys that just need a cleaning or a minor repair like a new damper or cap. The inspection gives you a clear picture of where your chimney actually stands, so you’re not spending money on repairs you don’t need.
Key Takeaways
- Level 2 inspection costs $225 to $450 in Marietta, with a written price before we start.
- It’s the inspection required for real estate transactions, fuel changes, chimney fires, and severe weather events.
- The inspection includes a full video scan, written report, and images of anything we find.
- Any repair we recommend gets a written quote and a written guarantee under the 365-Day Done Right Promise.
- Our Marietta location is led by Nathan Corliss, with background-checked, uniformed technicians on every visit.
- Call (478) 796-8742 and a live person will answer, 24/7.
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 $225 and $450, depending on chimney height, roof access, and whether you’re inspecting one flue or multiple flues. You’ll get a written price before any work starts, so the quote you receive on the phone is the price you’ll pay. Call (478) 796-8742 for an exact quote on your specific chimney, and the estimate is free.
What’s the difference between a Level 1 and Level 2 chimney inspection?
A Level 1 inspection is a visual check of the accessible parts of your chimney, done as part of a routine sweep, while a Level 2 inspection adds a video scan of the entire flue interior to document cracks, gaps, and hidden damage. Level 2 is required for real estate transactions, after chimney fires or storm events, and when you’ve changed fuel types. If you’re unsure which one you need, call (478) 796-8742 and we’ll help you decide without any pressure.
Can you do a Level 2 inspection the same day?
In most cases, yes. Our Marietta technicians carry the video inspection equipment on every truck, so when we arrive for a job and find conditions that require a deeper look, we can often complete the Level 2 on the spot. Call (478) 796-8742 and we’ll give you a real arrival window, not a four-hour block.
What happens if the Level 2 inspection finds damage?
If our Level 2 inspection finds damage, we’ll show you the video and photos, explain exactly what the issue is and what it means, and give you a written quote for the repair. We use professional-grade materials from brands like DuraFlex, HeatShield, Olympia Chimney, and Famco, and every repair is covered by a written guarantee. If the repair fails inside the guarantee period, we return at no charge under the 365-Day Done Right Promise. Call (478) 796-8742 with any questions about what an inspection might find.
Schedule Your Level 2 Inspection in Marietta
If you’re buying a home, selling one, or you suspect your chimney has hidden damage, don’t wait until a small crack becomes a big repair. Call Ashby Chimney Marietta at (478) 796-8742 for a free estimate on a Level 2 inspection. You’ll speak to a live person, get a written price, and we’ll show up in the window we give you. That’s how we’ve done it in Marietta since 2002, and that’s how we’ll do it for you.
Written by Nathan Corliss, Owner at Ashby Chimney Marietta, serving Marietta.