How do I check that my fireplace is safe to use before the first fire of the season?
If your Canton home took on water, the pre-season check is not optional and not a homeowner job: flooded gas fireplaces and their valves, controls, and connections must be inspected before you ever light them, because submerged gas components fail unpredictably. Along the Pigeon River especially, have the connections checked. For dry homes, clear the fog-rusted damper and cap, check the flue, and test both alarms.
Flooded gas is a replace-or-inspect situation
Canton's valley homes along the Pigeon River saw hearths and gas appliances take on water, and a gas valve, control module, or regulator that has been submerged cannot simply be dried out and trusted. The safe path is a licensed inspection and, often, replacement of the affected components. Do not light a fireplace that stood in floodwater. Call us first; connecting and clearing gas is licensed work in North Carolina, and this is exactly the situation where that matters.
Valley fog does quieter damage
Even in homes that stayed dry, Canton's valley-floor fog and morning damp rust dampers and chimney caps earlier than owners expect, so a fireplace that worked fine two seasons ago can have a damper that won't seat or a cap rusted through. Before the first fire, confirm the damper swings and seals, look up the flue for a clear path and for creosote glaze if you burn wood, and check the cap from outside for rust holes and debris.
Get the Haywood inspection on the calendar
We pull the Haywood County permit for gas and hearth work, meet the inspector, and put the job on record, which protects your home sale and insurance and matters double after a flood claim. A pro reads draft under fire and CO at the vent that no walk-around can. We're about 20 minutes west of the Emma Road showroom. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Canton
We install and service fireplaces throughout Canton and the rest of Haywood County — just 20 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
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- Is a fireplace that hasn't been used in years safe to start using again?
- Why is my carbon monoxide detector going off when my fireplace is running?