My fireplace or chimney was flooded during Hurricane Helene — is it safe to use?
No — a flood-damaged Fletcher fireplace shouldn't be lit until it's inspected. Most homes here run sealed natural-gas units in 1990s subdivisions, where floodwater quietly corrodes the valve and ignition board behind the glass while the firebox looks fine. Commercial spaces along the I-26 corridor are no different. Have it checked first. Call (828) 545-0525.
Builder-grade gas units hide flood damage well
Fletcher grew up on 1990s subdivisions with builder-grade direct-vent gas fireplaces, and that sealed design is deceptive after a flood. The glass front and clean face can look untouched while the gas valve, wiring harness, and electronic ignition sat in silty water and corrode from the inside. Those components get replaced once submerged — drying them doesn't restore the sealing surfaces, and a valve that sticks or leaks isn't safe to run. We open the unit up and test it properly.
Homes and commercial spaces alike
The airport and I-26 corridor mean Fletcher has more commercial fireplaces and outdoor gas features than most towns its size, and flood damage doesn't spare a lobby unit any more than a living-room one. Whether it's a home off Cane Creek or a business near Fanning Bridge, reconnecting a flood-soaked gas line is licensed work — in North Carolina a general contractor or handyman legally can't do it. That's our lane, and we permit and pressure-test every line we run.
Henderson County permit and paperwork
We pull the Henderson County permit and meet the inspector on any gas or structural repair, protecting your insurance and resale, and the written report supports your claim. Fletcher is about 20 minutes south of our Asheville showroom — call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Fletcher
We install and service fireplaces throughout Fletcher and the rest of Henderson County — just 20 minutes south 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?