In Canton, winterizing an outdoor gas fireplace carries an extra step the flooding taught us — if your unit or its gas line ever sat in floodwater, the seasonal shutdown is the right time to have those connections inspected, not just covered. Close the gas (the propane tank valve too, if that's your fuel), clear and dry the firebox and burner, and fit a breathable cover.
What the flooding left behind
Canton sits on the Pigeon River valley floor, and many homes here had hearths and gas appliances water-damaged in recent flooding. Submerged valves, controls, and burners don't simply recover on their own — a burner or gas valve that saw floodwater can corrode inside where you can't see it.
Winterizing is a natural checkpoint. If anything felt off last season — a hard light, a weak flame, a smell — flag it now rather than discovering it on the first cold night. Inspecting flood-exposed gas connections is exactly the kind of licensed work we handle.
Valley fog does slow damage too
Even without a flood, the valley-floor morning fog and dampness here rust dampers and chimney caps earlier than people expect. When you shut down, brush the burner ports, clear the firebox, and dry the metal before covering. Use a fitted, breathable cover — a plastic tarp seals moisture against the unit and speeds the rusting instead of slowing it.
We pull the Haywood permit
The gas side of any outdoor fireplace is licensed work in North Carolina, and after floodwater it's not a DIY job — we pull the Haywood County permit, pressure-test the line, and meet the inspector. We're about twenty minutes west. If you smell gas or the pilot won't hold, stop and 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.