Chimney sweep in San Mateo, CA

Chimney care in the 650 area

Around San Mateo, Daly City and Redwood City, 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 370,800 homes and apartments in the 650 territory. 72.2% were built before 1980 and 7.9% before 1940, higher than the California figure of 57.5% built before 1980. The median home here dates from the 1960s, and 53.8% of homes are single-family detached houses.

64.5% of occupied homes heat mainly with utility gas and 30.8% with electricity. Wood is the main heating fuel in 0.3% 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 650 territory is home to roughly 951,000 people across 51 ZIP codes in San Mateo County, Santa Clara County.

Services in San Mateo

• Chimney inspection in San Mateo: Level 1, 2 and 3 to NFPA 211
• Chimney cleaning in San Mateo: creosote and soot removal
• Dryer vent cleaning in San Mateo: 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.