Reroofing in Mill Valley: what the city requires at the chimney
The City of Mill Valley Building Department's reroofing requirements state that, per the Mill Valley Municipal Code, spark arresters must be installed at chimney tops on wood-burning fireplaces when new roofing is installed, as a condition of final approval (source: City of Mill Valley Building Department, Reroofing Requirements, Residential & Commercial). If your home has a wood-burning fireplace and you are replacing the roof, the chimney top has to be dealt with before the job can be signed off.
The same reroofing requirements set minimum clearances between combustible materials and flue pipes: 1 inch for double-walled pipe and 6 inches for single-walled pipe. They also require flues to be strapped or secured (source: City of Mill Valley Building Department, Reroofing Requirements, Residential & Commercial).
What that changes about an inspection
An inspection before the roofing work starts lets you find out what the chimney needs while the roof is open and the work is easy to coordinate. Here is what we look at with a reroof in mind:
Chimney checks before a reroof
- Whether the chimney top has a spark arrester, and whether the existing cap or screen is intact and the right fit for the flue
- Whether the fireplace is wood-burning, since that is what the spark arrester requirement covers
- The type of flue pipe, single-walled or double-walled, and its distance from roof sheathing, framing and other combustibles
- Whether the flue pipe is strapped or secured
- Flashing and the crown or chase cover, so water problems aren't sealed under new roofing
- Cracks, loose masonry, creosote buildup or blockages that should be handled at the same time
Timing helps
Book the inspection before the roofer's start date. If the chimney needs a spark arrester, a new cap or work on the flue pipe, it can be scheduled around the roofing instead of holding up final approval. When the top of the chimney is the issue, our chimney cap installation in Mill Valley covers fitting a new cap or arrester.
Chimney inspection in brief
A chimney and fireplace inspection is a close look at the whole system. Inside, we check the firebox, damper, smoke chamber and flue. Outside, we check the crown, cap, flashing and the masonry or chase. We look for cracks, creosote buildup, blockages such as nests or debris, water entry and clearances to combustible materials. When the flue needs a closer look, a camera inspection, the more detailed check often called a Level 2, shows what can't be seen from the firebox or the roof. The full scope is laid out on our chimney inspection service page.
When an inspection is the right call
- Before a reroof on a home with a wood-burning fireplace, for the reasons above
- When buying or selling a home, so both sides know the condition of the chimney and fireplace
- After an earthquake or a hard storm, when cracks can open where you can't see them; read about chimney damage after an earthquake and the signs to watch for
- When you notice smoke backing into the room, a strong odor, water stains near the chimney or debris falling into the firebox
- Before using a fireplace or wood stove that has sat unused for a long time
If you already know the chimney needs a sweep, a new cap or a repair, you can ask for that directly. The inspection is still useful when you aren't sure what is wrong or need a written record of the chimney's condition.
Booking an inspection
Gas fireplace and gas appliance work is offered too, and we work on all major brands. You can read more about how chimney inspection works from start to finish, look over everything else we do for homes in Mill Valley, or get in touch to request an estimate.
Sources (1)
The sources of the Mill Valley facts on this page.
- 1City of Mill Valley Building Department - Reroofing Requirements (Residential & Commercial); City of Mill Valley Building Department - Reroofing Requirements, Residential & Commercial
