Chimney sweep in Tampa, FL

Chimney care in the 813 area

Around Tampa, Riverview and Brandon, high humidity, heavy rain and tropical-storm winds are the main threats to a chimney. Water gets in through crowns, caps and flashing, rusts metal chase covers and dampers, and can lead to musty fireplace odors. Fireplaces are used less often, so nests and debris often go unnoticed. Dryer vents work hard all year, which makes regular lint removal important.

The Census Bureau counts about 592,200 homes and apartments in the 813 territory. 32.8% were built before 1980 and 2.9% before 1940, lower than the Florida figure of 35.8% built before 1980. The median home here dates from the 1980s, and 54.5% of homes are single-family detached houses.

91.9% of occupied homes heat mainly with electricity and 5.5% with utility gas. Wood is the main heating fuel in 0% of homes, lower than the national rate of 1.5%.

31.6% 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 2A (hot, humid).

The 813 territory (with overlay 656) is home to roughly 1,455,000 people across 93 ZIP codes in Hillsborough County, Pasco County.

Services in Tampa

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