What should I do before the first fire of the season in my wood-burning fireplace or wood stove?
Clyde's housing is mostly 1960s-to-80s ranch builds with dated fireplaces that are ready for a real inspection — and often an insert upgrade. Before the first fire, sweep and check the flue, confirm the damper seals, look at the firebrick, and burn dry hardwood. We're 25 minutes west and permit with Haywood County.
Dated ranch fireboxes show their age
The ranch-style homes around downtown Clyde, Crabtree, and Lower Pigeon Valley were built in the 1960s through 80s, and their fireplaces are now decades past their prime — worn dampers, tired firebrick, older liners. Before the first fire we look hard at those wear points, because an aging firebox is where draft and safety problems start. Many of these are prime candidates for a sealed insert that would heat far better than the original open box.
River humidity rusts the hardware
Clyde shares the Pigeon River valley's cold-air drainage and damp, and that river humidity rusts dampers and degrades masonry chimneys faster than a drier hillside site. Check that the damper still swings free and seals, and have the flue swept for creosote and the cap checked for corrosion. Burn only seasoned hardwood — wet wood in this damp valley smokes and builds creosote quickly.
Permitted with Haywood County
We're just up the road in the Pigeon River valley, so a service call is quick. If age means a reline, a new firebox, or an insert with a liner, that's licensed, permitted work we pull with Haywood County and inspect — protecting your home sale and insurance. Call (828) 545-0525 for an inspection before you light it.
Fireplace help in Clyde
We install and service fireplaces throughout Clyde and the rest of Haywood County — just 25 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.
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