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Boy He Looks Terrible for His Age

By James Quarello

Home Inspector with JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC HOI 394

November 30, 2009 11:47 PM

Age they say is a state of mind and to a large degree I believe that is true. Unfortunately the body has a will of its own and often betrays the mind. No matter how young someone may act or try to act the body, especially the face will give them away.

This principal can be loosely applied to inspecting a home. Sure the disclosure states the house was built in 1986, but what do the components say?

ugly chimney Just like people some things just seem to age faster than others. Everyone has some old gadget that just won't die. Had it forever and it still keeps on going. Yet you go out and buy a brand new tool or kitchen utensil and it breaks in a week. Then some people look great for their age while others... You get the idea.

Why do you suppose that happens? I believe it has a lot to do with quality of workmanship....With the gadget not people.

Take a look at this chimney, looks to be in pretty bad condition. Truth is it's in awful condition and quite possibly needs to be completely rebuilt.

I strongly believe it was built by either;

Someone other than a chimney professional or mason or
A completely incompetent chimney "professional" or mason

This chimney is about 25 years old! The thing to really notice is the brick courses. They are uneven and most are not level. The bricks are spalling (breaking) which can often be caused by inferior or used bricks. Judging by the workmanship inferior materials would not be a surprise.

There are numerous other issues with this chimney and its two fireplaces. The only fortunate thing is the chimney is not used to vent the heating system so it is not a necessary component. Never the less it is a potential hazard and needs correction by a competent chimney professional.

This 25 year old looks a 105.

James Quarello
SNEC-ASHI President
NRSB #8SS0022
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC

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Charles Buell

Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA

Seattle Home Inspector

James that is one mighty nice looking chimney you got there. What is with the soldier course of bricks 7 rows down from the top? The whole thing does kind of look like it was originally built the way it is.

Nov 30, 2009 11:54 PM

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I had to read your post.... Thought you were talking about me! Don't know about chimneys here in Florida but that one looks bad!

Nov 30, 2009 11:59 PM

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT

Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Jim I was starting to take your title personal until I opened up the link. No harm, no foul. Unfortunately a lot of sellers do not recognize the impact of the chimney and the damage that can be done to the house if it's not clean and tight. Your post lets someone know what to do to keep it right. Thanks for the post.

Dec 01, 2009 01:06 AM

Bill Saunders, Realtor®

Meyers Realty - Hot Springs, AR

www.BillSellsHotSprings.com

Jim,

Just want to thank you and the other inspectors out there for posting such informative info. It gives me that much more conviction when I tell the clients that a professional home inspector is worth far more than his weight in gold ($$), or in this case, the weight of the bricks when they come through the roof.

Dec 01, 2009 01:14 AM

Matt Listro

National Credit Fixers - Matt Listro - Vernon, CT

Your Credit Repair Expert

Hi Jim: 25 years old! Wow it looks more like 100 years old!

Dec 01, 2009 03:27 AM

Craig Rutman

Helping people in transition - Cary, NC

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

It's amazing what you folks see on inspections...and yet another reason I'm adamant about my buyers have a professional home inspection.

Dec 01, 2009 03:31 AM

James Quarello

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT

Connecticut Home Inspector

Andrea, I believe the chimney was at the top of the list :)

Charlie, I hadn't noticed that! I have no doubt this was built as you see it.

Gary, When someone who doesn't see chimneys can tell it's bad, then it's really BAD!

Ed, You look Maaarvalous :) No doubt falling bricks can cause serious harm.

Bill, Thanks. If I was paid in gold that would be fantastic!

Matt, Yes it does!

Craig, Every day brings something new, fun and interesting.

Dec 01, 2009 10:56 AM

Jay Markanich

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

I think those soldiers are marching...

As to your proposals, I am going with A. No B. No, I think A.

No, B, when he was 105 years old.

Or A, when he was 105 years old.

Either way, this chimney is older than 23...

Dec 01, 2009 12:00 PM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Mr James,

When I saw the title I was going to rise to the defence of Mr Charles. I thought it unfair to pick on him like that. Then I saw you were not writing about him.

Nutsy

Dec 01, 2009 03:07 PM

Jay Markanich

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Nutsy usually takes the indisputable position.

Or shot, however you want to look at it...

Dec 01, 2009 09:20 PM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Mr Jay,

Thank you very much for the show of support. I think that my supposition would be hard to dispute.

Nutsy, with credibility coming out his ears

Dec 02, 2009 07:17 AM

Jay Markanich

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Ay, ay cap'n...

Dec 02, 2009 09:26 AM

James Quarello

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT

Connecticut Home Inspector

Jay, The whole chimney is marching down into the ground.

Nutsy, Mr Charles looks pretty good for his age. He made the ladies swoon when he wore just his tool belt. He is such a show off.

Btw it looks like you have a wing coming out of your ear. You should go get that looked at.

Dec 02, 2009 09:35 AM

Kate Kate

San Diego, CA

There were three of us at Thanksgiving with failed chimney inspections. I shared stories from you and the other inspectors!

Dec 05, 2009 01:47 AM

James Quarello

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT

Connecticut Home Inspector

Kate, With new babies in the family you guys were talking about crumbly old chimneys! I'm flattered I was a topic of conversation.

How are the new babies?

Dec 05, 2009 01:53 AM

Kate Kate

San Diego, CA

Soooo cuddly and sweet. The next to the oldest of the bunch turns six in a few hrs. Off to a birthday party!

Maybe that wing sticking out of Nutsy's head explains his eratic behavior.

Dec 05, 2009 08:28 AM

Reuben Saltzman

Structure Tech Home Inspections - Minneapolis, MN

Delivering the Unbiased Truth.

James- at a recent seminar on chimneys, the teaching said that between 90% - 99% of masonry chimneys are built wrong. I believe it.

Dec 06, 2009 01:12 PM

James Quarello

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT

Connecticut Home Inspector

Reuben, I have heard similar numbers. This is, at least here in CT, one of the untrained, unlicensed professions. Which explains much of the bad chimneys & fireplaces.

Dec 06, 2009 09:55 PM

Robert L. Brown

www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

Looks a little rough around the edges. Lets hope it lasts throught the season.

Dec 23, 2009 07:08 AM

James Quarello

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT

Connecticut Home Inspector

The good news is this house doesn't need the chimney to vent the heating system so it should be able to wait a little while for repair.

Dec 23, 2009 07:23 AM

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