Here is a picture of a properly installed cricket flashing for a chimney that exceeds 30+ inches in width. Since the chimney is at the end of the roof the cricket flashing has to be installed to prevent ponding water between chimney and roof covering.
In this section I learned about the proper use of flashings. Flashings that are properly installed help prevent water intrusion. Water issues can lead to structural problems and ultimately lead to mold problems. Roof slope and structure has a lot to do with minimizing the amount of water build up on roof.
This photo shows a solid fuel burning fire place in a condo. The hearth measured in at 18 inches making it in compliance. The tiles in the fire place were not cracked or covered in ash. However, there was no ash clean out compartment. The overall condition of this fireplace was great.
While reading and learning about gas fire places i became curious about the CO censors used in homes. During this assignments I was able to read about such devises. I have had them in my houses all my life but never gave any thought of them. I was unaware that such a small about of CO can cause such severe health problems. I also learned to be aware of their proximity to cooking stoves and other such devices and chemicals. Close, but not too close.
This is a photo of efflorescence on concrete wall. Efflorescence can lead strong osmotic pressure and the damage can result to spalling. Both efflorescence and spalling can be prevented with capillary breaks, such as by installing a polyethylene sheeting under a concrete slab. In this case either there was lack of or no capillary break under the concrete slab in this area.
Chimney flashing should be installed where the chimney stack meets the roof covering to prevent water penetration. Flashing is typically made from corrosion-resistant metal, such as copper. Counter-flashing is installed in the mortar joints and then folded downward to cover the step or base flashing.
Upon fireplace rooftop inspection looking down into the chimney. I noticed that the flue was had a large hole. The damaged and needs to be repaired by a certified professional before any fire is made. There is a high risk of gases leaving the flue and also a potential risk of starting a house fire
The purpose of a firestop is to try and prevent a fire from spreading through gaps and holes in walls. There are instances when plumbers and electricians have removed firestops during their installation. Firestops are good ways to protect your home or at least slow down a fire from spreading throughout your home.
The above photo shows a chimney that has several obvious issues. The flashing is worn and unattached and should be replaced as soon as possible, the bricks at the top are pushing out and the joints are cracked and missing mortar the chimney needs to have the upper bricks removed and reset and the rest re-pointed. It is important to get get a qualified chimney specialist to determine why the top bricks have failed.
While working through the “How to inspect Fireplaces, Stoves, and Chimneys Course” I read the article “Chimney Inspection; Preventing Collapse” This article covers many things an inspector can look for when on an inspection. First, Any mechanical breakdown of the mortar between bricks or stones can be tested by using a screwdriver to poke the mortar see if it crumbles. Second, look for damage from falling trees or scaffolding. Also, note any visible signs of tilting or separation from the building. Chimney collapse can be dangerous to people and property. A tilted or shifted chimney can cause improper draft and not allow the chimney to operate as intended.
In the photo you can see that flammable material is too close to the fireplace opening. Even though it is a gas log set, keeping all items away from the general proximity of the fireplace is an important safety measure.
This is from my own experience with a roof leak near my chimney. When it rained for a long period of time I would get water leaking from the roof near the chimney. I sealed the chimney around the flashing detail however the leak still remained. I decided to inspect the cap of the chimney and found that the masonry cap had cracked and separated from the flue tiles. This allowed water to seep down between the bricks and tiles soaking the interior area until it reached the roof line where bare plywood under the shingles and flashing was. At that point the water wicked its way into the underside of the roof sheathing and dripped onto my ceiling. After the repair the leak stopped.
This is a photo of where a chimney once stood outside a single family home. You can see the dirty outline on the exterior wall of how wide the chimney was. You also can see the narrow concrete footing upon which the chimney once rested. There is no way to tell if the footing is installed at least one foot below the finished grade or whether the footing itself is at least one foot thick.
I read the article “Chimney Inspection: Preventing Collapse” by Nick Gromicko. The article explains how earthquakes and other hazards in nature can weaken chimney systems to the point of failure. The article also explains how design defects and a lack of awareness by homeowners can contribute to chimney collapses.
This picture is on a residential one story house and is used for a combination oil/coal fired boiler. The clay flue liner is in good shape and the crown is also in good shape. Flashing is in proper places and also has flashing cut into the mortar joints and is working properly. The only defect here is there is no spark arrester/rain cap. Defect was noted and is needed to prevent water from entering the chimney causing damage.
As seen in the attached photo, vent connectors should be check for a proper rise of 1/4" per foot. In the case of this photo, the vent connector has a negative rise and should be corrected by a qualified or licensed contractor.
I learned that even though a naked eye can tell you that the vent connector does not have proper rise, a level should always be used to verify the deficiency. The photo could also be used to show improper clearance to combustible materials.
A chimney is a vertical shaft through which smoke and gases from fuel-burning heating systems, stoves, appliances and fireplaces exhaust. The chimney may be built of masonry or metal pipe materials. The flue liner, chimney inner wall, or vent inner wall must be continuous and free of cracks, gaps, perforations, and other damage and deterioration that could allow the escape of combustion products, including gases, moisture and creosote. A solid-fuel-burning fireplace, stove, or heating system must not connect to a chimney venting another fireplace, stove, or heating system
Masonary Chimneys collapse by the hundreds during major earthquakes, typically snapping at the roofline. More than half of the homes in Washington State inspected by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following the Nisqually Earthquake in 2001 sustained chimney damage.
Fireplace in living room showed signs of significant and most likely recurring smoke damage. Damper was not functional at time of inspection. Smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors present and functioning. Highly recommend inspection and repair by authorized professional before first use to ensure safety of home and occupants.
