Chimney sweep in Long Beach, CA

Chimney care in the 562 area

Around Long Beach, Whittier and Downey, 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 469,200 homes and apartments in the 562 territory. 81.4% were built before 1980 and 10.1% before 1940, higher than the California figure of 57.5% built before 1980. The median home here dates from the 1950s, and 55% of homes are single-family detached houses.

66.5% of occupied homes heat mainly with utility gas and 25.1% with electricity. Wood is the main heating fuel in 0.1% 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 3B (warm, dry).

The 562 territory is home to roughly 1,357,000 people across 68 ZIP codes in Los Angeles County, Orange County.

Services in Long Beach

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