Is the middle stick of pipe that’s reduced in size made of galvanized steel? It did not appear to be painted black, but instead appeared to be a pipe that was stained a darker color via heat or smoke.
Labeling on the pipe was insufficient to help me understand what it was.
On most proper installations I don’t see the exterior portion of the pipe reducing in size between connections. Is this reduction acceptable?
I called out the inadequate clearance between the stove pipe and the spindles on the handrail.
Again, the pics are too small for me to see much and cannot be enlarged.
A Level 2 inspection is required when any changes are made to the system. Changes can include a change in the fuel type, changes to the shape of, or material in, the flue (i.e. relining), or the replacement or addition of an appliance of a dissimilar type, input rating or efficiency. Additionally, a Level 2 inspection is required upon the sale or transfer of a property or after an operation malfunction or external event that is likely to have caused damage to the chimney. Building fires, chimney fires, seismic events as well as weather events are all indicators that this level of inspection is warranted.
It looks like it is going from double wall stove pipe to single wall and back to double wall so be sure you measuring for single wall sp clearances also. Also fyi you cant mix different manufacturers pipes and chimneys unless the manufacturer actually approves of it. Not enough pictures with measurements. Its too bad the manufacturers of pipes and chimneys don’t stamp or mark their products with durable identification. Rather they put cheap stickers on that are usually not there when you need them.
Pipes are not installed in the correct direction, thus most likely a handyman / homeowner install. Need to hire a professional to make all necessary corrections!
Thanks, Ryan. I couldn’t tell either way, but the thickness of the outer pipe seemed questionable to me when I squeezed it.
Agreed. This is a rough draft of one of my comments:
The wood stove pipe appeared to be configured with connectors from multiple manufacturers.
A qualified contractor should evaluate the different-sized pipes to confirm that the manufacturer of each pipe connector is similar and approved for use with each other connector.
Additionally, the middle vertical 30" pipe section appeared to possibly be an unpainted galvanized material of questionable thickness.
The installation instructions say:
*Galvanized flue pipes must not be used because the coatings vaporize at high temperatures and release dangerous gases. Use black painted flue pipes.
*Flue pipes must be at least 24 gauges in thickness.
Also, a smaller exhaust pipe entered a bigger pipe from below. This configuration can allow water and creosote to leak into the interior of the home. A qualified contractor should evaluate and repair or replace as necessary.
A Level 2 inspection is required when any changes are made to the system. Changes can include a change in the fuel type, changes to the shape of, or material in, the flue (i.e. relining), or the replacement or addition of an appliance of a dissimilar type, input rating or efficiency. Additionally, a Level 2 inspection is required upon the sale or transfer of a property or after an operation malfunction or external event that is likely to have caused damage to the chimney.
The inspector recommends having the stove, its stove pipe and the floor protector evaluated by a C.S.I.A. (Chimney Safety Institute of America) -certified contractor and then repaired as necessary and according to the manufacturer’s requirements.
Honestly, that sounds like one of those cop out deals where you find one issue and then stop inspecting the whole system and refer it out to cover your arse. That’s a big mistake, as the client might not be too concerned about the one issue you found, and will not pursue it further.
My advice would be to continue to inspect the whole system and call out all issues present, as there might be some more serious ones that will actually spur the client into action.
I stand by my statement, as that is all that is obvious and visible in an online, MB photo. Attempting to determine anything more is simply a fools errand! If you knew anything about wood stove flue pipes, you would know the pipe direction is a critical flaw that needs correction. Adam voiced this concern in his post above.
If you had bothered to read any of Adam’s post, you will see he obviously performed his due diligence as an inspector.
He did a pretty good job, and my post wasn’t related to his narrative. It was more about your post that since you found one issue, you can just go ahead and refer it all out and not worry about more serious issues that might be present.
What are these necessary corrections? You found one that probably won’t spur the client to action!
Nice try, but like I said, if you stop short of fully inspecting a system because you found one issue, you are doing your client a disservice. So, don’t find just one issue and declare it a DIY installation that needs further evaluation. That is sloppy and lazy and will likely lead to non-action by your client.
Exactly. Don’t be the lazy inspector that finds a double tapped neutral, stops inspecting the panel, closes it up and says “DIY install, call an electrician to fix and further evaluate all aspects, blah, blah, blah.”
