This fireplace is in disrepair and is past it’s useful life expectancy. There are visible cracks and holes in the firebox from excessive moisture & water seeping in through the chimney which did not have a cap. There is also damage to the firebrick and the entire back portion is missing making this a very dangerous situation. Upon inspection, it was noted that this fireplace was being used as a ‘camp fire’ with visible steak and chicken bones still in the ashes. It was recommended that this fireplace is restricted from all future use as it constitutes a fire and health hazard from smoke and creosote emanating into the room it was installed in.
I learned that all fireplaces should have a metal flue installed regardless of fuel type being used. In NJ, we only required metal inserts/flues when a fireplace was converted to gas. I thought this to be quite odd as wood creates a lot of smoke and creosote and can be just as dangerous as gas, propane, etc. In Florida, metal flues are required in the absence of or damaged clay flues in wood fireplaces. My picture shows the Chimney from the outside installed as an after market and the flue in great shape after many fireplace fires were burned.
Back drafting
The reverse flow of gas in the flues of fuel fired appliances that result in the intrusion of combustion byproducts into the living space. Improperly configured flues of flue blockages can also cause back drafting. One way to recognize back draft is how combustion gases that back draft into the house may leave a dark residue on the top of the water heater.
I read an article about short sales. Short sales are when a borrower and lender agree to the sale of property for less than it was originally purchased for. Short sales are less destructive than foreclosures for most parties involved, and have been pushed for in recent years. Banks are able to cut their losses on a property, instead of having to invest more money and time on a foreclosure. Borrowers are able to do less damage to their credit score than a foreclosure would.
This was the chimney for a propane burning hot water heater. The chimney was UL rated and needed a 1" clearance from all combustables. There was adequate clearance in the room and attic.
I read the article Chimney Inspection: Preventing Collapse. The article discussed the dangers chimneys can pose when the fall as well as what to look for in a general inspection. You should look for among other things loose mortar and cracking at the footing of the chimney.
This picture shows a fireplace with combustible items stacked on the hearth. This is a fire hazard. These items should be removed if the fireplace is used.
In general, only dry, untreated wood should be burned in fireplaces or wood stoves. Painted or treated wood contains chemicals or compounds that are hazardous to health, such as arsenic and lead, and should not be burned. Damp wood will contribute to creosote build up in the chimney, which can catch fire.
The agent doesn’t quite have his head inside the firebox, which he is not obligated to do, given that it is only visually inspect and observe, and to do so
would require removal of all the firewood inside. However, there are indicators;
the hearth extension forward/sideways, the covered mantal, the backing of the
interior fireplace, vents for circulation, all of which point to a well designed
appliance. Yet, further inspection via the chimeny is necessary and might yield
further safety observations.
exterior measurements for the hearth in those that have greater or less that 36 sq ft of space offer indicators of the area underneath the hearth that need inspection for integrity and conditioning from heat. The area also stipulates what distance
from combustibles are necessary. Lastly, the built up masonary maintains the upper area from attachables.
The article on aging in place was particularly relevant, having worked with seniors, and seen many of their issues firsthand. The article was exhaustive in
the details which were directly connected to everyday life practicalities. The topics I was interested in were for seniors to have extended handles on faucets
for those with arthritis, and secondly, spacial enlargements of the kitchen areas
for those who become wheelchair bound. Indeed, ensuring that safety measures were in place for retirees is crucial to their longevity.
my inspection here brought me to a deck post, that is 4x4. It should be 6x6 this is something that should be reported to the client. This post can twist or warp under the weight of the deck, it need to be replaced asap.
I was inspecting a similar fireplace to the one pictured. It was noted that there spaces in between the bricks and some sizable cracks. Then we discovered the cutoff for the gas was actually inside the hearth. There was a second cutoff directly on the outside of the home for the gas supply as well. This inside cutoff definitely posed an operational hazard.
Ant inspection: Ants can be found in all building structures where food and water can be found. Ant are social creatures so were you see a few, there might be hundred or even thousands. Carpenter ants for instance nest in both moist and dry wood, but hey prefer moist wood. They are more likely to be found around bath tube and sinks that are dampened by leaks. Inspecting for ants one looks to find foe example a long line of ants, a few staggering ants that could actually be scout looking to find food. Outside of the house look for nest in vegetation and in mulch. To prevent ants from coming into your home , seal every crack the you see any hole or cracks in doors and windows.[ATTACH][/ATTACH]
The fireplace is in great working order at this time. There are some cosmetic defects on one of the fire logs, but doesn’t effect the operation of the appliance. No visible gas shutoff inside of the fireplace or around it.
Side note;
This is a ventless/unvented gas fireplace meaning that it requires room air to support combustion inside of the appliance in which case can lower the oxygen levels in the home. It is recommended to have a window open during operation due to the appliance being ventless, and is required to have a carbon monoxide and smoke detector in the same room as the fireplace. The use of this type of fireplace is prohibited in most states and municipalities due to the possibility of it emitting dangerous by-products from burning fossil fuel.
There are many factors that come into play to potentially cause a chimney to collapse. Chimneys collapse due to several contributing factors such as; Strong storms winds, falling tree limbs, poor design and/or construction, earthquakes ect… As a homeowner, you should keep an eye on your chimney and look for separation from your home, cracks in the hearth and mantle and frequently measure the cracks to note any progression. Have the chimney properly inspected by a qualified professional periodically. You should contact your local building departments to obtain required permits before starting any significant construction that may affect the chimney structure and/or its support. If you live in a seismically active region and have a earthquake, it is recommended to have you chimney inspected before you use it again.
The chimney is in good condition with no major cracks in the motar joints and is flashed correctly to the roof. The chimney is not of adequate height above the roof. The chimney must terminate at least three feet above the roof structure. Since this is not the case here, you may experience back draft problems here. Also the chimney does not have a spark arrestor or rain cap.
Inspection on a fireplace,stoves,and chimneys.
My inspection was conducted in ST.LOUIS PARK,MN this home is a single family residential home with a fire brick chase. My visual inspection of the chase showed to be lost of mortar in some ares and holes. The flue is a clay lining needless to say I did not see a rain cap on one of the flues.This chase has two flues the 2nd flue had a stainless steel chimney cap which indicate that this chimney has a furnace or a wood burning stove or a gas fireplace. The flashing is present and the chimney is in line.
This home was built in 2005 with a ventless fireplace system installed in it. It appear to not be functional or it’s being repaired. During my inspection I notice that the gas log elements are not connected to the gas line. Also where the gas line come through the firebox wall was not sealed to prevent air from entering and to prevent fire from escaping and possible starting a fire.
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