Chimney sweep in San Jose, CA

Chimney care in the 408 area

Around San Jose, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, earthquakes, wildfire risk and local burn rules all shape chimney care. Masonry chimneys can crack in a quake, which is why NFPA 211 calls for a Level 2 inspection after an event like that. Many areas have no-burn days or spark arrestor rules; check with your local air district and fire department.

The Census Bureau counts about 601,200 homes and apartments in the 408 territory. 60.4% were built before 1980 and 4.5% before 1940, close to the California figure of 57.5% built before 1980. The median home here dates from the 1970s, and 51.8% of homes are single-family detached houses.

59.4% of occupied homes heat mainly with utility gas and 35.3% with electricity. Wood is the main heating fuel in 0.4% of homes, lower than the national rate of 1.5%.

Most homes here are more than 40 years old, so original flue liners, mortar joints and chimney crowns have seen decades of weather. An annual inspection catches wear before it becomes a repair.

Under the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, the territory is in climate zone 3C (warm, marine).

The 408 territory (with overlay 669) is home to roughly 1,691,000 people across 93 ZIP codes in Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County.

Services in San Jose

• Chimney inspection in San Jose: Level 1, 2 and 3 to NFPA 211
• Chimney cleaning in San Jose: creosote and soot removal
• Dryer vent cleaning in San Jose: full vent run to the outside hood
• Chimney repairs, chimney relining and wood stove installs: ask your local company whether they offer them

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2018–2022 5-year estimates (tables B25034, B25040, B25024) for the ZIP codes in this territory; climate zones from PNNL, Guide to Determining Climate Zone by County (2022). Population from our ZIP code data.