Chimney sweep in Manchester, NH

Chimney care in the 603 area

Long heating seasons and repeated freeze-thaw cycles are hard on masonry around Manchester, Nashua and Concord. Water that soaks into a cracked crown or open mortar joint freezes, expands and breaks brick apart (spalling), and nor'easter rain drives water in at the flashing. An annual inspection before the first cold snap catches crown cracks and creosote build-up from a winter of wood burning.

The Census Bureau counts about 640,700 homes and apartments in the 603 territory. 52.9% were built before 1980 and 19.5% before 1940, close to the New Hampshire figure of 52.9% built before 1980. The median home here dates from the 1970s, and 63.4% of homes are single-family detached houses.

41.7% of occupied homes heat mainly with fuel oil or kerosene and 21.2% with utility gas. Wood is the main heating fuel in 6% of homes, higher than the national rate of 1.5%.

With 19.5% 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. Wood heat is common in this area. Homes that burn wood as their main heat build creosote faster than occasional fireplace users, so plan on more frequent cleaning.

Under the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, 80% of residents live in climate zone 5A (cool, humid), and the rest mostly in 6A (cold, humid).

The 603 territory is home to roughly 1,395,000 people across 281 ZIP codes in Hillsborough County, Rockingham County, Merrimack County, Strafford County and 7 more counties.

Services in Manchester

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