fireplaces Archives - Charles Buell Consulting LLC

January 10, 2016 by Charles Buell

But I used fire-proof wood!

Sometimes inspectors find examples of construction where either the cart is ahead of the horse, or where the cart is actually on the horse.

As you can see in the following picture we have a very nice outdoor fireplace—open on three sides with a patio all around.

I can only guess that the new deck that now uses the fireplace structure for support of one corner was an expansion of the original deck that does not show in the picture (above the point where the picture was taken from).

This creates a problem for use of the fireplace. This fireplace has no flue liner and there is only one layer of brick behind the wood beam of the deck that crosses above the fireplace.

But this is the least of the installation’s problems. If you look back at the first picture you can see that the deck floor joists are sitting on top of the wood beam which puts the rim joist of the deck in the proximity of the fireplace flue as well. Now we have a stack of wood 20” tall that has no separation from the single wall of brick of the fireplace chimney.

That would be the best case scenario. As you can see in the next picture, it is actually a much worse scenario than the one previously mentioned.

There is actually no flue at all—the chimney is way too short to provide any protection from heat, sparks and fire exiting the flue.

So what is the solution? The list is long and none of them cheap. Perhaps the cheapest solution is to wall up the openings of the fireplace and seal the top. Other options are removal of the fireplace, removal of the deck—or possibly converting the fireplace to a gas fireplace.

What approach is taken for improved fire safety is really not my concern—even while I am willing to throw some ideas out there.

I stressed in the report the importance of NOT using the fireplace for wood burning–that is the primary concern.

By Charles Buell, Real Estate Inspections in Seattle

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October 18, 2015 by Charles Buell

The fireplace that went missing.

While there are some site considerations that happen around the home on the ground, the inspection process starts in earnest on the roof. If there is a chimney that extends through the roof, the chimney will be inspected at that time.

Here is a picture of a chimney on a recent inspection.

Of course I am checking the mortar joints, the condition of the mortar cap, looking for cracks, checking for loose bricks/stones and noting whether there are hats and spark arrestors/vermin screens or not. I am also interested in the condition of roof flashings and chimney counterflashings.

I am also looking down the flues–if there are not hats that prevent it–to see what I can tell about the condition of the flues. At this point I might note whether there is air movement indicative of dampers being open or missing. (Of course the smell of brownies cooking might be hint as well.) I could also see if there was debris or other encumbrances inside the flues–at least in the visible areas.

I am also counting flues. In the previous picture what can I tell? There appears to be a flue for the furnace (warm air was flowing out of that one and the smell of gas combustion products was noted)–that is the left one in the picture. From there I note that there are three other flues–indicating that I am going to have three fireplaces to check. Now they might be for wood stoves etc but I know there are going to be three places in the home where wood burning appliances or fireplaces are present.

In the home I readily found the basement family room fireplace, the upper living room fireplace—but the third fireplace had gone missing.

I did ultimately find it. In the context of the kitchen remodel it had been enclosed in a pantry closet. The fireplace was certainly no longer functional, as there was all manner of combustible materials installed around the opening and the hearth was covered over by the wood flooring. The damper was still functional, and “open,” so it was functioning to exhaust heat from the home on a year round basis.

The fire-box now makes a nice shelf for storage.

It is OK to abandon the fireplace–but it would be better if it was REALLY abandoned–closed up and sealed.

By Charles Buell, Real Estate Inspections in Seattle

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October 5, 2011 by Charles Buell

Do you use a wood burning stove or a fireplace insert?

Another heating season is upon us.

I don’t see too many wood stoves any more—and I consider that a good thing given ever increasing population density and the importance of air quality.

I began my building career in the early 70’s in Upstate NY, so I am well aware that there are likely some areas of the country where they are most likely still popular—even if still not such a great idea. In the 70’s they most likely would have been considered “Green.” I would hope that is not the case today. While many of these wood stoves got very efficient in their “heyday,” I think that if everyone were to heat with wood it would be disastrous for the planet.

Any of my readers that are really into the Green Movement that know how wood stoves are thought of today I would love to hear from you.

In the Puget Sound area we have lots of “inversions.” This is the phenomenon of when the atmosphere keeps pollutants close to the ground and won’t let them move past the mountains to the East. During these times we actually have “burn-bans.” In fact, there is a number to call (1-800-595-4341) to check to see if a burn ban is in effect or not. You are supposed to call this number before you use your wood burning stoves and fireplaces—-unless it is your only source of heat. You can also get the same information on the Web at PS CLEANAIR.ORG. Can you guess when these inversions are most prevalent? Winter of course—-when you want to be burning wood the most.

The installation of these wood stoves was often problematic—-especially when installed in masonry fireplaces. Wood burning stoves and fireplace inserts still required protection of nearby combustible surfaces. Most manufacturers required 12-18″ of non-combustible materials in front of the unit. Often these appliances would be set on the original fireplace hearths leaving inadequate protection of the flooring at the front of the stove. As can be seen in the following two pictures the insert fireplace and the stove have inadequate protection of the wood flooring in front of them.

Wood stove insert — Typical improperly installed wood stove insert—no hearth extension

Insert with no hearth — Fireplace insert with no hearth

The “highlighted” area to the right shows where we would want to see the floor surface protected. I understand why these protective surfaces often don’t get installed. Take a look at the wood flooring around the fireplace insert in the first picture. It would be “expensive” to figure out a way to not destroy the nice look of the original floor/hearth installation. It would also be “expensive” if the house burns down.

Did you know that some manufacturers of wood stove inserts recommend removal and cleaning of the stove twice monthly? Take a look at this data plate from an older type of fireplace insert.

How often do you think that got done after original installation? For obvious reasons it quickly became required that the original chimneys be lined with stainless steel pipe and connected directly to the stove to prevent the build-up of creosote inside the fire-box. This liner was rarely installed—even though required.

A huge number of these stoves and inserts were installed by homeowners and other unqualified persons throughout the Puget Sound (and all around the country for that matter) and are regularly found by this Seattle Home Inspector.

So as this heating season gets going—if you have any type of wood burning stove or fireplace—have it professionally cleaned and inspected by a CSIA Certified and licensed chimney sweep. Or better yet—replace the sucker with a gas appliance and actually save some money AND heat your house more efficiently.

***

Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector

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