Real Estate Home Chimney Inspections
Home Inspectors Can’t See Everything
You can’t rely on a home inspector, no matter how experienced, to have training and expertise in chimney issues. Most problems with chimneys are difficult – if not impossible – to see without the right equipment.
Typically, home inspectors can do the equivalent of a Level 1 chimney inspection, which means they only look at the components of the home’s chimney that are visible to the naked eye. Unfortunately, it’s easy to miss things without a more comprehensive look at the inner workings of the chimney.
Having a home inspection done doesn’t mean that the new homeowners won’t have an issue with their chimney when they move in—and sometimes, these issues can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars to repair. These are not items you want to have missed during an inspection prior to closing on a new property!
Fortunately, having a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified company such as Potomac Services look at the chimney is your best bet to ensure there’s no existing issue that could make your clients unhappy at move-in.
Our Services Protect Your Clients
If You Represent the Buyer
If you represent the buyer, it’s a good practice to recommend that they hire a certified chimney sweep company to provide a thorough Level 2 chimney inspection with high-definition video equipment, which is often necessary to see more involved chimney issues. We may find that the chimney is completely fine and safe to use, but we may also find repairs that are needed or built-up debris that could pose a fire hazard. Either way, the buyer is now informed about the state of the chimney and there are no surprises when purchasing the home.
If You Represent the Seller
If you represent the seller of the home, it’s usually in their best interest to suggest a Level 2 chimney inspection by a certified company as well. Any issues found during the home inspection could cost them money at closing or even delay the closing process. Knowing if their chimney has issues that need to be repaired can empower your sellers to decide how to best disclose the information or handle the situation to ensure everything goes smoothly during the selling process.
Why Choose Potomac Services for a Real Estate Chimney Inspection
Potomac Services is certified and trained to provide you with the peace of mind you need for your chimney inspection services, whether you’re a real estate agent representing a buyer or a seller. All of our technicians are certified with the CSIA, which means we offer the three different levels of chimney inspections developed by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).
For 18 years, our veteran-owned business has been helping homeowners take the best care of their chimneys to prevent hazards that can have serious consequences. We are trusted (remove in the DC area) for experienced chimney services, and maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
