Chimney and Fireplace Service in Renton, Washington

Renton sits on the southeast shore of Lake Washington, where the Cedar River runs into the lake. It was incorporated in 1901 on an economy of coal, clay and timber, and during World War II Boeing built its Renton factory to turn out the B-29. The same plant now does final assembly of the 737. The 2020 census counted 106,785 people, and the city has kept spreading up the hills on both sides of the valley. We work across all of it, from the lakefront blocks in North Renton to Kennydale and the neighborhoods east of downtown.

Renton's houses are younger than Seattle's. Census figures (ACS 2024) put the median year built at 1988, with about 3 percent of homes from before 1940 and roughly a quarter from the 1960s and '70s. Gas heats about 40 percent of homes and electricity 56 percent. So one street may have a brick fireplace with a clay-tile flue, and the next a factory-built firebox or a gas insert. The free inspection starts by working out which one you have, then we photograph what we find and write down a price before any work.

Renton rain and where it gets into a chimney

NOAA's 1991–2020 normals for Renton Municipal Airport show about 35 inches of rain falling on roughly 153 days a year, with around 30 nights below freezing. That is a little less rain than Sea-Tac but a few more freezing nights. Water that soaks into a cracked crown or open mortar joint freezes on those nights and opens the crack a little wider. Leaks usually start at the crown, the cap, or the flashing where the chimney meets the roof.

Typical ranges: a new crown runs $600 to $2,200, flashing $300 to $1,800, a cap $250 to $850 and general leak repair $300 to $2,500. On a factory-built fireplace the weak point is usually the sheet-metal chase cover on top, which can rust and hold water. A new one typically runs $300 to $700.

Gas fireplaces and burn bans in Renton

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency calls burn bans for King County when fine-particle pollution is forecast to pass 35 µg/m³ within 48 hours. In a Stage 1 ban, open wood fireplaces and uncertified stoves can't be used. In Stage 2, no wood burning is allowed at all. The agency's 2016 release says natural gas and propane stoves and inserts are fine in both stages, so a gas fireplace is the one that still works on a ban night.

Gas logs typically cost $500 to $2,000 and a gas insert $2,000 to $8,000. A yearly gas fireplace service runs $150 to $350. Washington has required carbon monoxide alarms in homes sold since July 26, 2009 (RCW 19.27.530), so we check that yours has them when we service a gas unit.

Selling a Renton home with a wood stove

Washington does not require you to remove an old, uncertified wood stove when you sell. The Department of Ecology says so directly. What the seller disclosure (Form 17) does ask is whether the home has a woodstove, insert or fireplace, and whether the stove is EPA-certified. We can check the label and the chimney before you list. If you'd rather retire the stove, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency pays homeowners $500 to recycle an eligible one.

Where we work in Renton

Downtown Renton · North Renton · Kennydale · Cascade · Maplewood · Maplewood Heights · Rolling Hills · Victoria Hills · Victoria Park · Evendell · LaCrosse · South Renton