What should I do before the first fire of the season in my wood-burning fireplace or wood stove?
In Canton, the Pigeon River flooding is the reason to be extra careful before the first fire — valley homes had hearths and gas appliances water-damaged, and any chimney or gas connection that took on water needs a professional inspection before you light it. Have the flue swept, the damper and firebrick checked, and burn dry hardwood. We're 20 minutes west in Haywood County.
Flood-touched hearths need real eyes first
Homes along the Pigeon River valley took on water, and floodwater does quiet damage to a fireplace — it warps dampers, saturates firebrick, corrodes metal, and can leave debris and silt in the flue and smoke chamber. If your hearth or its gas connection was anywhere near the water, don't light it on assumption. We inspect the flue, the firebox, and, because we're a licensed gas contractor, any gas line or appliance connection that may have been compromised.
Valley fog rusts hardware early
Even setting the flooding aside, Canton's valley-floor fog and dampness rust dampers and chimney caps sooner than you'd expect. Before the first fire we check that the damper still swings free and seals, look up the flue for nests and creosote, and confirm the cap is intact. Burn only seasoned hardwood — wet wood in a damp valley smokes hard and builds creosote fast.
We permit with Haywood County
If flood or age means a reline, a new firebox, or a gas appliance replacement, that's permitted work we pull with Haywood County and inspect — the paperwork protects your home sale and your insurance. Call (828) 545-0525 and we'll get out to Canton, Clyde, or Bethel and make it right.
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.
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