An annual chimney inspection is defined in the NFPA 211 as being an inspection where all readily accessible portions of the chimney are inspected. By readily accessible, they mean that everything that can be seen with the naked eye, and without the use of tools shall be inspected during an annual chimney inspection. "Tools" actually even include a ladder. So, by the NFPA 211 standard, we are actually not even required to get onto your roof during an annual chimney inspection.

We here at Anything Chimney found this to be... weird. We do not feel that a full chimney inspection can be conducted without at least getting on the roof and going into the basement when applicable. For that reason, we define our annual chimney inspections a bit differently than the minimum national chimney inspection standard. At Anything Chimney, we will use tools, including a ladder during an annual chimney inspection. We will even run a camera up the chimney if we see something that looks out of place or unsafe. We do not, however, open up walls, or check clearances that are in anyway hidden. We do not cause any form of destruction to the home over the course of a level one inspection. Causing any kind of intentional damage to the home for the purpose of a chimney inspection is referred to as a level three chimney inspection which will be covered more thoroughly in a later section on this page. We do, however, inspect everything that is accessible with the use of basic tools, a ladder, and a camera when necessary.