Chimney stacks and caps.

I have come to realize just about all the chimneys I inspect have a lot in common. No it's not the flue that lets out all the smoke and gasses.

It's they nearly all are missing the Rain cap.

Even though we don't get a lot of rain here these a safety issue. There are all kinds of rain caps for the flues of fireplaces but they are needed. As I explain to the buyers and sellers in some cases, The safety issues are as follows.

1. The rain cap assembly needs to be installed to keep rain out.

2. The chimney cap will come with a spark arrestor built in. (need I say anymore) 

3. A chimney cap will keep out the birds and rodents that want to call the chimney home.

4. The chimney cap will keep out all the leaves, twigs and branches that might cause you a chimney fire if not protected from them.

Here is a classic example why you need a chimney cap.

Chimney without a cap.

The buyer of this home told me the sellers did not use the fireplace.

When I asked why not. He replied they did'nt feel safe using it.

It was a good call too. The water had created a lot of cracks and left the top of the chimney riddled with holes. This allows water to get in and cause the interior mortar to degrade. This is a major problem. Left unchecked the only solution would be to install a new flue liner. Or maybe end up having to replace the entire chimney.

Not cheap.

Have a great day everyone.

 

Clint  McKie

Owner of Desert Sun Home Inspections Carlsbad, New Mexico. Eddy County's only certified home inspection service Serving all of South East New Mexico. We inspect the homes entire structure from the roof to the foundation, and everything in between. Most reports within 4-24 hours from time of inspection completion. We issue a PDF report with pictures Starting at $250.00 for each home inspection. Why settle for less when you can have the best?

When it comes to Quality home inspections. Simply put, we are the best.

1-575-706-5586   www.carlsbad-home-inspector.com Call me for the latest specials.

 Zillow  Google   Facebook   manta   Trulia   Yahoo HomeAdvisor Pro

 
Post is included in group: "Whacked"!!!
Post is included in group: CUSTOMER SERVICE
Post is included in group: Ask the Home Inspector
Post is included in group: Best Practices
Post is included in group: Addicted to Active Rain

49 Comments on Chimney stacks and caps.

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUL
30

 Inspected a home and found six baby racoons in the chimney. The mother got on the roof by way of an old tv tower and had her babies inside the chimney. Without that cap,who know's what might enter your home?
4:38am • #31
684,891 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Good morning Clint congrats on the feature.  That is one of the reasons I read your posts to learn something.  Enjoy the day
4:42am • #32
982,812 Points 56 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Clint, great information and here in Denver it is high on most buyer's wish lists to have a fireplace.   
5:42am • #33
405,385 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Good morning Clint. Just showed a home with a degraded cap and it led to a little over $2K in repairs to ceiling and cap. The time to fix it is BEFORE the damage is done. Why do people wait until they sell a house to have it inspected? Seems like it should be part of the maintenance.
5:51am • #34
496,903 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Sharon,

It's out there. Just have to have homes inspected even if they are not being sold. Owners would be surprised to find out what is in a report on the home they thought there was nothing wrong with.

Have a good day in Florida.

Best, Clint McKie
6:03am • #35
496,903 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Robert R.

It's always a good thing to learn as much as you can when it comes to homes and the way they are built.

This way your more knowledgeable for your client's when they start asking questions.

Have a good week ahead  and thank you for the comment.

Best, Clint McKie
6:08am • #36
496,903 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Chris,

Most home owners never think of inspecting anything till they see a leak or find something in the yard after a storm.

Home owners need to stay on top of required repairs to their home. After all they live tyhere.

Have a good day in South Simcoe, Canada. 

Best, Clint McKie
6:13am • #37
496,903 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Wayne,

I'm sure a bad chimney from simple neglect has caused a lot of canceled sales for a home over the years.

If they would have just got a pre-sellers inspection, the problems could have been repaired and the home sold.

Why wait till the last minute to start scrambling to get repairs done. Makes no sense.

Have a good day and week ahead in Fort Myers my friend.

Best, Clint McKie
6:21am • #38
496,903 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hello Carmen,

I have found many dead creatures in wood stoves and furnaces after the summer season. Starting up with a cleaning and inspection for the winter usage. And yes there was not a rain cap or spark arrestor on the chimney stack.

 No other way for those critters to get in but through the chimney opening at the top.

Thanks for the comment and have a great week ahead.

Best, Clint McKie
6:27am • #39
496,903 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi James

And thank you. I threw this together pretty quickly as you could probably tell. LOl

But it's an issue all home owners need to heed. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Have a wonderful day in Rogers, Arkansas.

Best, Clint McKie
6:30am • #40
859,377 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I wonder what Daniel Boone or Davy Crockett or Lincoln did? Probably skinned and ate whatever came down the pipe...
6:32am • #41
496,903 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Joan,

And that's o.k. in my book. They have to maintain the fireplace and chimney. Don't just buy the home and then forget about the yearly maintenance they need. It could cost you dearly in the long run.

Have a great week in Denver.

Best, Clint McKie
6:33am • #42
496,903 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Randy,

This is why you get a Home check up inspection. This will find the repair's needed before they kill a deal or cost the owner thousands in the long run.

Thanks for the comment and have a great day in Big Rapids.

Best, Clint McKie
6:39am • #43
496,903 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Richey,

They probably did. That's too funny. I remember seeing some old shows and they had a fire and it was raining bad outside. A couple of times it even put the fire out. 

Keep unwanted rodents and debris from entering and causing problems in the future.

Have a great day today and thanks for the comment.

Best, Clint McKie
6:44am • #44
647,126 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Clint-good post, I just had two new caps put on last week as well as some other work on the old chimney. Maintenance not very sexy but needed. LOL.

 

Adrian
3:14pm • #45
995,995 Points 362 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Water is THE killer of chimneys and people don't understand that.  Usually it takes a sweep to recommend the cap and put it on for a fee to get it done.
5:22pm • #46
JUL
31
496,903 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good Morning Adrian.

Getting the chimney stacks caps installed was a good move on your part. No not very sexy, but it makes the home look like the owner really cares about the home. That goes a long ways when you want to sell at a later date.

Have a good day in Bothell, Washington.

Best, Clint McKie 
3:56am • #47
496,903 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good morning Jay,

If there is no cap I always recommend one. Water rodents, birds and debris are just a few reasons to have a chimney cap. Not to mention the stories of the agents that commented on this post.

Always call for a cap if there is not a working cap present at time of inspection.

Have a good day in Northern Virginia.

Best, Clint McKie
4:03am • #48
1,470,517 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks, Clint, for sharing your experience.  More very good reasons for every buyer to have a professional home inspection.  I will post your blog on my Facebook page.
4:49am • #49
SEP
17
330,867 Points

Thank you for sharing your blog; we need Real estate Professionals to share their comments and information regarding their markets and experiences. Thanks again from beautiful Sunny San Diego
1:37pm • #50

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All


Captcha

Drag the magnifying-glass to the circle on the side.

Image?id=40a15821554659406ea43175a45d66649bb59932 Image?id=71ff25f6703fad2c0c207f548e04b00dd2c25cc2 Image?id=8d30e52a909e27e5c9ad49c465f5716abc3a9a54 Image?id=e273c73fb84a89173ad1318c946b588043a34438 Image?id=2af4f421b9bb3b83b82c5ea70e83b2ee290a47e9

Accessibility option: listen to a question and answer it!

Type below the answer to what you hear. Numbers or words, lowercase:
Leave a response…

(optional)
Captcha

Drag the umbrella to the circle on the side.

Image?id=d29fb440aed9241afd3aa173948e2c78a8ca4e20 Image?id=4ce577be6e5903c840798d0e79a07c774467c636 Image?id=6d8efea10105dfbca0bb45d227d91f0c0e30fe57 Image?id=a6d0ce27c6cb6a0e2b7fb543a75a99f0e8af9c1d Image?id=e354bf1743b9fd52885466cc85dc3943a92c6870

Accessibility option: listen to a question and answer it!

Type below the answer to what you hear. Numbers or words, lowercase:
 
Clint Mckie Desert Sun Home Inspections Home Inspections in Carlsbad New Mexico, Desert Sun Home Inspection (Desert Sun Home Inspections/ Energy Audits) Rainmaker_large

Clint Mckie Desert Sun Home Inspections Home Inspections in Carlsbad New Mexico

Desert Sun Home Inspection

Carlsbad, NM

More about me…

Desert Sun Home Inspections/ Energy Audits

Address: carlsbad, Roswell, Hobbs, Artesia, Lovington, Loving, Dexter, Hagerman New Mexico, Eddy, Lea and Chaves Counties in South East New Mexico, Carlsbad, NM, 88220

Office Phone: (575) 706-5586 x 0

Cell Phone: (575) 706-5586

Email Me



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog