Is a chimney safe to use after a lightning strike or storm damage?
No — and Swannanoa knows why better than most. Recent storm damage has this valley rebuilding, and any chimney that took a hit should be treated as out of service until inspected. Lightning and fallen trees crack flue liners and shift masonry in ways the eye misses from the yard. Before you relight — or fire up a hearth in a rebuilt home — get a Level 2 camera scan.
A valley that's rebuilding
Swannanoa took storm damage hard, and a lot of Grovemont and Bee Tree homes — many of them 1940s-to-60s builds with original masonry fireplaces — are being repaired, renovated, or rebuilt. That makes the chimney question urgent in two directions. On standing homes, a lightning strike or a downed tree may have cracked a liner or shifted the crown behind a chimney that still looks upright, and the river-valley fog and damp here are already tough on masonry. On rebuilds, a hearth or stove going back into service deserves a fresh set of eyes before its first fire. In both cases the damage that matters — a split liner venting heat and carbon monoxide toward framing — is exactly the kind you can't see standing in the yard.
Buncombe inspection, minutes away
A Level 2 scan runs a camera through the whole flue and checks the crown, cap, flashing, attic pass-through, and firebox — the standard after any sudden event, storm impacts included. We inspect throughout Buncombe County and document everything with photos, which is what your insurer needs after a storm or lightning loss. Swannanoa is only about fifteen minutes east of our Emma Rd shop, so we can usually get out quickly and tarp any cap or crown damage before more weather arrives. Keep the fireplace cold until we've cleared it. And if a gas line or appliance was involved, or you smell gas near the chimney, step outside first and call (828) 545-0525 — our line answers around the clock.
Fireplace help in Swannanoa
We install and service fireplaces throughout Swannanoa and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes east from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
- Is it safe to use a wood fireplace with cracked flue tiles or a damaged chimney liner?
- How do I know if I've already had a chimney fire?
- Can I use my fireplace again after a chimney fire?
- Is a fireplace that hasn't been used in years safe to start using again?
- Should I get a fireplace and chimney safety inspection before buying an older home?