The inspector flagged the chimney. Now what?

It means the inspector saw something near the fireplace and wrote a line. It does not say how big the problem is. A buyer who reads the line alone can imagine the worst. A buyer who reads the photos can see what is there. The line might point to the cap, the crown, the flashing or the flue itself.

A Level 2 turns the line into a finding.

We run a video camera through the whole flue. Then we go up and look at the cap, crown and flashing, and into the attic and crawlspace wherever we can reach.

Level 1 means looking at what is accessible. A sale takes you beyond that, because NFPA 211 calls for the camera.

You get a written report with photos, finished on inspection day. Ask to be a recipient. The buyer and the seller can receive it too.

We move quickly for buyer's agents, so send the address as soon as the flag appears.

Where the report finds conditions below NFPA 211 or local code, they need repair before safe use. The buyer could ask for repair work, a credit or another inspection. You and your client decide how to answer. We leave legal and contract matters alone.