Chimney sweep in San Francisco, CA

Chimney care in the 415 area

Around San Francisco, San Rafael and Novato, 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 518,700 homes and apartments in the 415 territory. 77.6% were built before 1980 and 38.8% before 1940, higher than the California figure of 57.5% built before 1980. The median home here dates from the 1950s, and 27.9% of homes are single-family detached houses.

60.2% of occupied homes heat mainly with utility gas and 31.2% with electricity. Wood is the main heating fuel in 0.3% of homes, lower than the national rate of 1.5%.

With 38.8% 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 3C (warm, marine).

The 415 territory (with overlay 628) is home to roughly 1,087,000 people across 89 ZIP codes in San Francisco County, Marin County, San Mateo County.

Services in San Francisco

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