Chimney sweep in Seattle, WA

Chimney care in the 206 area

Around Seattle, Mercer Island and Bainbridge Island, months of steady rain are the biggest threat to a chimney. Moss and moisture break down crowns and mortar, and water finds its way in at the flashing. Wood that is not fully seasoned in damp weather also builds creosote faster, so annual sweeps matter for regular burners.

The Census Bureau counts about 509,300 homes and apartments in the 206 territory. 56.3% were built before 1980 and 18.8% before 1940, higher than the Washington figure of 45.1% built before 1980. The median home here dates from the 1970s, and 45.3% of homes are single-family detached houses.

56.7% of occupied homes heat mainly with electricity and 35.7% with utility gas. Wood is the main heating fuel in 0.5% of homes, lower than the national rate of 1.5%.

With 18.8% of homes built before 1940, many chimneys here are older masonry. Older flues can be unlined or have clay tile liners that have cracked over the years, which a camera inspection of the flue will show.

Under the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, the territory is in climate zone 4C (mixed, marine).

The 206 territory (with overlay 564) is home to roughly 1,094,000 people across 65 ZIP codes in King County, Kitsap County.

Services in Seattle

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