Chimney care in the 803 area
Chimneys around Columbia, Fort Mill and Lexington may sit unused for most of the year, which gives creosote, leaves and nests time to collect, and heavy summer storms test caps, crowns and flashing. Humidity speeds up rust on dampers and chase covers. A fall inspection before the first fire, and a cap with mesh, keep animals and water out. Dryer vents run year-round here, so lint builds up quickly.
The Census Bureau counts about 773,600 homes and apartments in the 803 territory. 36.9% were built before 1980 and 4.1% before 1940, close to the South Carolina figure of 34.6% built before 1980. The median home here dates from the 1980s, and 66.9% of homes are single-family detached houses.
67.2% of occupied homes heat mainly with electricity and 27.1% with utility gas. Wood is the main heating fuel in 0.8% of homes, lower than the national rate of 1.5%.
31.2% of homes here were built in 2000 or later, so many fireplaces are factory-built or gas units. These still need their vents and manufacturer-listed parts checked, and the dryer vent runs in newer homes are often long.
Under the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, the territory is in climate zone 3A (warm, humid).
The 803 territory (with overlay 839) is home to roughly 1,781,000 people across 193 ZIP codes in Richland County, Lexington County, York County, Aiken County and 16 more counties.
Services in Columbia
The 803 territory at a glance
| Population | 1,781,000 |
|---|
| ZIP codes | 193 |
|---|
| Counties | 20 |
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| Homes and apartments | 773,600 |
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| Built before 1980 | 36.9% |
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| Median home built | 1980s |
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| Heat mainly with wood | 0.8% |
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| IECC climate zone | 3A |
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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.
Selling a home in Columbia? NFPA 211 calls for a Level 2 chimney inspection, including a video scan of the flue, when a property is sold or transferred.
Source: NFPA 211
