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inspector: FIRE! Waiting to happen! - 02/14/09 02:21 PM
 
This post is about solid fuel burning appliances and potential chimney fires.  Solid fuel appliances are usually wood burning fireplaces or stoves, including inserts.  The chimney serving these appliances should be cleaned every year.  The picture below shows a chimney with major creosote buildup.  The very next fire in the stove could be the one to set off a chimney fire; and chimney fires often burn houses down!
 
 
Creosote What does all this mean for  a home buyer?  It certainly means you would need to have the chimney cleaned before ever lighting a fire in the stove.
The National … (8 comments)

inspector: Fire Hazard - 07/19/07 10:45 AM
I think a while back a colleague did  a post on chimney's and their problems.  I thought I'd show this one to illustrate why it is important to get chimneys inspected and cleaned annually.  Creosote buildup can burn your house down.  And it can happen fast.
This is a chimney fire just waiting to happen.  I'm surprised it hasn't happened already.  Fortunately, the buyers of this home had a home inspection and were advised to have a level two chimney inspection/and cleaning done.  If this were the winter, and the wood stove being used, it could have ended very poorly.
Thanks for looking.
David … (23 comments)

inspector: Ask the local inspector - 03/11/07 05:39 PM
If you have any questions regarding inspections, problems with homes, the inspection process, please post them here and I will answer them to the best of my ability.  … (8 comments)

 
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David Helm, Bellingham, Wa. Licensed Home Insp

Bellingham, WA

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Helm Home Inspections

Address: 4186 Rural Avenue, Bellingham, Wa , 98226

Office Phone: (360) 739-5751

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My blogs offer a wide range of topics, from home inspection to cooking to woodworking to gardening to local area information and photos. I love talking about Bellingham, Washington and its surrounding area. Home inspection is my work; life is my passion.


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