Attic Chimney& Piping

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#1

Originally Posted By: Al Peters
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


icon_question.gif I have no clue what I saw today during and inspection. In the attic, into the chimney chase (brick), there were (2) 1 1/4" or 1 1/2", black iron pipes. The pipes come up vertically several feet thro the attic floor from opposite sides of the chimney, make a 90, then horizontally 8-10 feet into the chimney chase, one several feet above the attic floor the other about a foot above the floor. There was a different brick where one of the pipes had been installed, seems done after the chimney was built. The house is about 90 years old, two story, cape cod with a brand new gas forced air furnace and older gas water heater in the basement with a cistern. Sorry I don?t have a picture but if no one has any idea what I?m talking about it could be possible to return and snap one. No signs of these pipes in the basement??


Can anyone enlighten me?

#2

Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley
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Al,


Maybe I'm just brick headed (I am) but I can't even picture this in my mind. A picture would sure help me, and I'm sure the rest of us!

Were the pipes connected anywhere or could you tell? Did it look like some sort of a crude or Harry Homeowner support system for a leaning chimney?

Blaine ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif)

#3

Originally Posted By: rhinck
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I have seen where people have extended gas to an attic for a furnace and used an unused flue to route it there, but if you see no evidence in the basmt.- I’m lost too!



Rick

#4

Originally Posted By: ecrofutt
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Similar to the attached sketch?


![](upload://9O6L6lXbKzaMf6KiNsDtcjZ6UDG.jpeg)

Could it be gas pipingto a ventless gas log set. Most likely gas piping for something! Has anything been abandoned.

What's at the bottom of the chimney.

--
Erby Crofutt
B4U Close Home Inspections
Georgetown, Kentucky
www.b4uclose.com

#5

Originally Posted By: Al Peters
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Yes Erby that’s pretty close, one pipe does enter the chimney higher than the other. The pipes come up into the attic thro interior walls but have no clue where they terminate. The bottom of the chimney in the basement is not unusual, no piping, nor is there anything I can find through the attic or main level. There was one stack cover in the kitchen but you would really be brave to try and open that. No gas logs or gas heaters other than the forced hot air furnace.


I will be discussing the situation with my client today and suggest a return visit and then try to get a picture. I think I have to get up on the two story roof and have a look down the chimney, ugh.

So far most have the perception that it is gas piping, the large diameter, however, ( 1 1/2 - 1 1/4") rules that out in my mind. Also would be bigger than expected for a water system unless it was convection (?) but then it is exposed in the unheated attic (?). The pipe certainly is not as old as the house. My best guest without opening a wall is that it was some type of illegal air venting.

--
Al
AP Home Inspection Services, LLC
Lowell, WI 53557
920 927 1969

#6

Originally Posted By: Al Peters
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Sorry Blaine I missed one of your questions in my reply. No it doesn’t appear to be any type of support for the chimney, chimney appeared plumb, also pipe traverse to far horizontally to be designed as support.

–
Al


AP Home Inspection Services, LLC


Lowell, WI 53557


920 927 1969

#7

Originally Posted By: wrobedeau
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This is possibly a heat recovery loop. I would expect to see a piping loop or loops in the chimney flue.


William F. Robedeau P.E.
AIIZ Inspections, LLC
West Bend, WI 53095
262-306-1317

I just noticed the state was listed wrong on the banner info.