I'm buying a house with a fireplace — what should I have inspected?
In Mars Hill, the fuel depends on where the house is — university-area rentals may be on gas, but out in the Spring Creek and Gabriels Creek valleys, homes run propane or wood. Confirm the fuel first, then get a Level 2 chimney inspection for wood systems and a full connection-and-ignition check for anything gas, before your contingency ends.
Rural propane and wood
Out in the valleys, propane and wood do the heating. LP units need the right orifice and pressure and a connection checked for leaks; wood systems need the flue scoped for creosote buildup and liner cracks.
This is one of the colder corners we serve, so heat performance isn't optional — you want to know the hearth can carry a cold night, not just look the part.
Campus-area rentals
Near Mars Hill University, heavy-use student rentals often hide deferred maintenance on their gas fireplaces — worn pilots, tired valves, sooted logs. Test-fire it and inspect the components rather than trusting a clean face.
Verify the permit with Madison County and that the gas work was licensed. We're 30 minutes north — call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Mars Hill
We install and service fireplaces throughout Mars Hill and the rest of Madison County — just 30 minutes north from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
- Does a standard home inspection cover the fireplace and chimney?
- What is a Level 2 chimney inspection and do I need one when buying a house?
- Is it safe to use the fireplace in a house I just bought before having it serviced?
- Will my homeowner's insurance have issues with an existing wood stove in a house I'm buying?
- Should I ask the seller to repair or service the fireplace before closing on a house?