My fireplace or chimney was flooded during Hurricane Helene — is it safe to use?
No — a Black Mountain fireplace that took Helene floodwater stays cold until we inspect it. The Swannanoa Valley knows exactly what a long, dark outage feels like, and the urge to get a hearth burning again is understandable — but floodwater destroys gas valves and undermines chimneys in ways you can't see. Let us check it. Call (828) 545-0525.
The valley remembers the outage — don't repeat the risk
Few places felt the storm's multi-day power loss like the Swannanoa Valley, and plenty of Black Mountain homes leaned on a fireplace to stay warm. That's the right instinct — but only with a unit that's safe. A gas fireplace that sat in floodwater can develop a valve that sticks or leaks, turning your backup heat into a hazard the moment you need it most. Water-damaged gas controls get replaced, full stop; there's no drying them back to safe.
Cold valley air raises the stakes
Black Mountain's inversions leave mornings 10 to 15 degrees colder than Asheville, and frost lingers later into spring here than most of Buncombe County. A fireplace out of service through a cold snap is a real problem, which is why we'd rather get you inspected quickly than have you gamble on a flooded unit. We assess the firebox and gas controls, or the flue and masonry on a wood chimney, to CSIA and NFPA standards.
Fast turnaround from just up the road
We're only about 15 minutes east of our Emma Road showroom, so Black Mountain and Montreat get quick attention. If a replacement or gas-line reconnection is needed, we pull the Buncombe County permit, meet the inspector, and leave a written report you can hand to your insurer. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Black Mountain
We install and service fireplaces throughout Black Mountain and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes east from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
- A storm or falling tree damaged my chimney — what needs to be checked before I use the fireplace?
- Does homeowners insurance cover replacing a flood- or storm-damaged fireplace?
- After Hurricane Helene, what's the best fireplace setup so my family is never without heat again?
- Should I have the fireplace and chimney inspected before using them in a WNC home I just bought?
- Can a gas fireplace heat my house through a multi-day outage like the one after Hurricane Helene?