When inspecting the chimney from outside I noticed that the chimney cap looked damaged so I knew to look for signs of moisture when inspecting the fireplace and clean out. Sure enough, when I got to the basement where the clean out is there a lot of signs of moisture on the floor and brick below the door of the clean out. When looking at the fireplace it looked like the hearth was a little short so I measured it and it was only 13” when it needs to be 16”.
This chimney’s before picture shows damage to the chimney cap and no rain cap. The after picture shows the items repaired. Look for the drip edge installed at the cap as well as caulking. The crowned cap should be formed to allow water to run off normally.
Brad Collins
My reading assignment is about Chimneys. Chimneys should always be inspected for mortar cracks or separation, missing support , mechanical damage, any tilting or leaning, any gaps anywhere and footing problems, Any damage an inspector isn’t sure of should be left to the professional chimney repair person. Also pay close attention that a chimney hasn’t already had damage such as bricks falling out and hitting roof components.
Brad Collins
This chimney has a metal chimney cap. It is deteriorating. I would advise to monitor the situation and budget for a replacement. Metallic caps can deteriorate to the point of allowing water in.
I read the article on constructed wetlands.
Areas of water are desirable to live near. Land value goes up nearly 28% just by living near water. Urbanization, however, has negative consequences. Removing trees, for instance, can increase the temperature of water, by removing the shade that was once there, that may affect the lifeforms living in it. Urban development also decreases the amount of porous material that water can drain into. “This can increase the amount and velocity of rainwater flowing to streams and rivers,” and also deplete groundwater sources wells tap into. Retention ponds in many residential developments are created to redirect storm water into.
Operable Direct vent fireplace with natural gas.No defects,instructions for operation are located under logs, in empty space,behind front door. Gas cut off is located in same place & also on exterior on back patio directly behind fireplace.
We can appreciate
Cricket fireplace
1 - If the chimney has a parallel dimension greater than 30 inches and not the ridge crest crosses, should provide a chimney cricket.
2 - The inspector must examine the overall structure of the chimney.
3 - Cap masonry chimney should provide a downward slope to direct water from the flue to the edge of the lid. The cover “crowned” should be formed in order to repel water.
The chimney crown exhibited cracks and deterioration. Failure of the crown can allow moisture intrusion of the chimney structure that can damage the structure. I would recommend they consult a qualified masonry contractor to discuss options and cost for repairs.
I read the article called Fireplace Fuel. Fireplaces and wood stoves are designed to burn only one type of fuel. Use only approved and appropriate fuel to burn in your fireplace or wood stove, because certain items should never be burned because they can cause problems ranging from minor irritation to a hazardous health threat.
When we inspect an exterior chimney, we should make sure there is a rain cap on the highest point, so that water won’t penetrate inside the liner and inside the house. We also need to check for the crown, it needs to be wider than the chimney so it will prevent the water from going on the brick and causing premature damage. We will also check for crack between the brick as we may see on this picture. Again this should allowed water to penetrate inside the component and eventually inside the house.
Asssignement read and write:
When we inspect a garage we should take a close look at the connections. It shouldn’t be in the drywall. It won’t be strong enough. Also each electrical receptacles need to be GFCI-protected, without exception. Trusses cannot be altered in any way without the approval of a structural engineer. If we see something like that we need to add it in our report.
This is a gas insert that has been installed in an older wood-burning fireplace. The gas line leading into the hearth has been properly sealed. The firebox appears to be in good condition. The only problem observed is that the damper has not been clipped, which is necessary since the fireplace has been converted to gas. I inspected the chimney for this fireplace, and it appears to be in good condition. There is a chimney cap with spark screen, and a properly constructed chimney cricket. The flashing appears to have been recently re-done and is done properly.
Three Photos Every Inspector Should Include at the End of the Report
In order to avoid any misunderstandings and/or confusion, if possible, the inspector should take photos of the water meter. Preferably, these photos would be done with a time stamp and would be taken a few seconds apart. The purpose of the photos is to show the homeowner that the water meter is not moving, and thus there is no leak or faucets left on during inspection. This will put the homeowners’ minds at ease, and it will help portray the inspector as the consummate professional he is.
the course about chimney inspection is really full of knowledge
This picture shows the bottom of a chimney liner from the fireplace end. There is a mechanical damper that is operation. You can see creosote buildup inside the liner. It should be recommended to the client to have a professional chimney cleaner clean the chimney before use.
For this course I chose articles on adjustable steel columns and acid rain.
the adjustable steel columns must be 3 inches in diameter. When I was young my dad put these in our basement, after only a year they began to rust. That was 30 years ago and they are still there. I wonder how much good they are doing down there with that much corrosion. This would be a defect that is important to identify as well.
Acid rain describes the mixture of wet and dry deposits from the atmosphere which contain high amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids that result from both natural and man-made emissions. This was heavily talked about during the 1990’s, but I haven’t heard a peep over the last few decades. While I can see the damage of acid rain, I don’t know that there is a way to identify damage is from acid rain.
The furnace door safety switch is taped in the down position. This switch is designed to prevent furnace operation when the cover door is removed, which protects the home from intaking combusted gases into the living space. Recommend removal of tape prior to operation. SAFETY HAZARD.
The attached photo is a wood stove metal chimney with a factory made collar where it goes through the roof. The collar is designed to keep the recommended clearance between the chimney pipe and any combustible material in the roof framing. The chimney pipe is a double wall pipe made of stainless steel.
Chimney Inspection
Chimneys are the most structurally vulnerable exterior components of a building. A collapse can cause structural damage. Wind may cause a weakened chimney to collapse. Earthquakes can snap a chimney at the roofline. Chimneys should be inspected for crumbling mortar, lateral support, mechanical damage, and separation from the building. Chimney footing defects are undersized, deteriorated or poor soil. Leaning chimneys can cause cracking that makes a fireplace dangerous. Cracks in the fireplace and chimneys increase the risk of sparks and smoke entering the building. Chimneys should be inspected to prevent collapses.
Fireplaces and wood stoves.
Fireplaces and wood stoves are designed to burn only one type of fuel. If used incorrectly these devices pose hazards. These hazards include harmful vapors both inside and outside the home, and mechanical damage to the stove or fireplace. The best fuel is dried, cut firewood with a moisture content of less than 20%, and fire logs. **Never be burn **painted wood, pressure-treated wood, plywood, particleboard, chipboard OSB, rotted, diseased, moldy wood, damp wood, allergenic plants, or trash. Use only approved and appropriate fuel to burn in your fireplace or wood stove
Chimney inspection:
This inspection was of concrete block/stone wood burning fireplace. Integrity of interior brick was good. No signs of mortar damage or cracks. Damper was in place and fully functional. No signs of rust or corrosion were present. Would suggest chimney be cleaned by certified chimney sweep.
