Inspection of my prefab fireplace. A chimney sweep is recommended due to some creosote buildup and generally dirty. This is a good practice for a yearly checkup due to the risk of chimney fires. The hearth and firebox looks solid and no cracking found inside and appears to be in good shape. I realize the need to get a mirror and appropriate light for these type of inspections along with considering a chimney type camera as discussed in the video shown by InterNachi in this course.
Home Inspection Tools: I chose this article to look for some equipment used for chimney inspections like mirrors, lighting, cameras etc. I did not see anything like that in this article but as in anything else, always new things to learn and give me some ideas on how to assemble my toolkit. I want to have a very solid base of tools when I enter my first real inspection and look professional as possible from day 1. I’m sure I will look back after a year of inspections and realize how much I’ve grown.
This Image is of a chimney that has a considerable amount of spalling and mortar issues on all sides. One of the corners is actually loose enough that with moderate force could fall. I would advise that the homeowner contact a qualified contractor for further evaluation and repair recommendation.
Inspecting Dryer vents. Vents should not be restricted. kinked or crushed where they exit the dryer and enter the wall or floor. This is often a problem since dryers tend to be tucked away into small areas, any restrictions should be noted in the inspector’s report. Airflow restrictions are a potential fire hazard.
Many dryer vents terminate in crawlspaces or attics where they deposit moisture, which can encourage the growth of mold, wood decay, or other material problems. Sometimes they will terminate just beneath attic ventilators. This is a defective installation. They must terminate at the exterior and away from a door or window. Also, screens may be present at the duct termination and can accumulate lint and should be noted as improper. Also, flexible, ribbed vents used in the past should no longer be used. They should be noted as a potential fire hazard if observed during an inspection.
Ducts shall not be joined with screws or similar fasteners that protrude more than 1/8-inch into the inside of the duct.
Found rust in the fire box of a converted wood to gas burning fireplace. No signs of water intrusion from the chimney cap. Possible condensation? Recommend to new home owner to have the fireplace inspected by a certified professional before use.
Reading the article about unvented combustion appliances, wow! I can’t believe these are still used. Emitting CO into the living space even at small amounts is not healthy. I would never recommend one to be used. Would you call it out as dangerous?
here we see a picture of properly installed chimney vent. This is located on a south west Florida home roof to allow ventilation from the propane gas fireplace. The flashing was allow installed properly allowing no water intrusion. The cap is not deteriorated or damaged.
the article used for this assignment was on further inspecting of a chimney. With chimneys being so vulnerable to exterior elements, they are a highly susceptible component of a home. These exterior elements cause much damage and allow for many chimneys to collapse by the hundreds in the US.
the photo pictured here is a photo of the living room fireplace. It shows a minor crack is the back fire panel. The crack should be repaired or replacedwith appropriate fireproof materials to prevent possible future fire damage to home.
There are many different types and styles of fireplaces. Free standing, wood burning, and ventless just to name a few. All fireplaces can be a beautiful addition to any home. Proper maintanence and upkeep are essential to keep your home safe!
A significant amount of efflorescence was observed at the brick veneer below the upper walkway at this retail property. It was identified that drainage was not adequately addressed at the elevated walkway which allowed water to collect and enter the exterior wall cavity. The drainage at the upper walkway should be corrected in order to prevent further efflorescence and degradation of the wall materials.
The article “Ventless Fireplace Inspections” discusses the differences between traditional vented and the more modern ventless fireplaces. One of the most important things for an inspector to observe is the presence of a carbon monoxide detector because ventless fireplaces vent unburned combustion byproducts directly into the interior areas. Most occupants will not open a window during operation and thus the opportunity for elevated CO levels is greater.
Chimney flashings are similar to the wall flashings. The weakest part of a chimney flashing is the high side, facing up the roof. Water running down the roof must be diverted around the chimney. The flashings on the high side typically extend up at least six inches or one-sixth of the width of the chimney, whichever is greater.
This picture is of a air conditioning condensing unit. Most homeowners are aware of the importance of keeping the air conditioner air filter clean to improve the air quality and the efficiency of the unit. But many are not aware of the importance of keeping all obstruction far away from the surroundings of the condenser to avoid anything inhibiting the proper air flow which would effect the efficiency and the life of the unit. As an inspector, inspecting a house I would advice the homeowner to cut back the shrubs and explain to them the effect it has on the unit.
Fireplaces today are primarily recreational. Most fireplaces use more heat than they provide and in this sense, are a luxury item. The warmed house air that goes up the chimney typically represents more heat loss than the radiant heat gain from flames.
In the attached image you see a vented gas fireplace. These fireplaces are becoming more popular due to the fact that you do not need a chimney stack to vent gases, making them more cost effective. They use propane or natural gas and pull exhaust air from the outside into the firebox to support the fire. These systems are usually fully enclosed and are known for preventing back drafting and all gases are vented through an exterior wall or chimney.
I studied the article on wood burning stoves and learned that they come in three sizes, small, medium and large and the unit selected should be based on the size of the home and application of the heating source. Coal or other items other than dried wood should be burnt in these stoves. You should always use a grate to support the wood, keep the damper door open when a fire is burning and dispose of ashes in a water filled metal container. The stovepipe should be periodically checked for creosote and smoke alarms should be present and working. If you see soot on the furniture, smell a smoky odor in the house or find that the door does not close fully and tightly there could be a defect with the unit.
I chose a fire extinguisher. It just so happens I live in an all electric home, so there are no vented appliances or heating systems. However, the fire extinguisher in my domicile appears to be a dry chemical type extinguisher, good for A, B, or C Fires. The device is scheduled for service 12 years after manufacture, which was listed on the bottom as 2015. It also listed visual conditions that may warrant disposal and replacement of the device, such as dents.
This essay is about counter flashing. Its one of those things that as a student has taken awhile to understand, but its covered frequently and I get it now. On a masonary chimney, sheet metal is cut and placed in step fashion into grooves in the mortar joints. These grooves were cut for this purpose. the sheet metal is then bent downward to cover the flashing adjoining the roof cladding and base of chimney. The grooves where the metal was inserted are filled with a sealant, not more mortar.
tcameron
(Thomas Cameron, South Carolina Home Inspector License 49149)
14700
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Creosote in a chimney can result in chimney fire which can spread to the house. Creosote can result from the incomplete combustion from slowing burning wood which collects in the relatively cool chimney flue. The main causes of creosote buildup are: Wet or unseasoned wood.
