More Pyrolysis

     I don't mean to hijack Steve's blog on Pyrolysis, but it is an issue that I wanted to address anyway.  I know Steve is desperate to stay ahead of me in points so he can have these:)  The following pictures are of perhaps the best example of Pyrolysis that I have seen.  These pictures were from a four unit Apartment building built in the 30's.  All of the units had these ancient electric wall heaters and the woodwork behind the metal frames of the heaters was all charcoal.  One of the unit's residents was so aware of the potential safety hazard that all of their curtains where held away from the heaters with rocks on top of the curtain ends on the window sills above the heaters.  I think the hardest thing to understand is why didn't the building go up in flames?  This is one of those things that are not going to be an immediate hazard, but over time a "perfect storm" is brewing.pyrolysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The digital thermometer is reading the wood temperature above the heater.pyrolysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Charles Buell

www.buellinspections.com

 

 
Post is included in group: Property Inspection Discussion

7 Comments on More Pyrolysis

HHHmmm, That is interesting. Can't say I've ever seen that before. Thanks for sharing.

Sean Allen

01/26/2008 09:29 AM by International Financing Solutions


Interesting, as well. Wood at that temp must be close to starting a real fire.... Pyrolysis, I never heard the word.

01/26/2008 09:33 AM by Gary Waters - Real Estate Agent Viera Suntree (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com)


The word in the title caught me too. But yes, older buildings present some unique challenges in the inspection.

Vickie Nagy http://www.besttrivalleyhomes.com/

01/26/2008 09:57 AM by Vickie Nagy, Realtor, Specializing in San Ramon, Danville & the Tri-Valley! (Empire Realty Associates)


Hi Charlie,  That is the most severe case of pyrolysis I've ever seen.  I sure wouldn't want to be a tenant in that place trying to keep warm this winter.  The place ought to be condemned!

01/26/2008 11:08 AM by David Helm, Bellingham,Wa. Home Inspector (Helm Home Inspections)


Charlie,

As a courtesy, I will link to your blog to help you out. Since I have way more points than you it will probably help you immensely. Ha! My problem with you is not points, it is that you keep posting photos from the various shantys you live in, for points, so it kind of seems like easy points for you. I actually have to leave my house to get pictures.

Seriously -- Pyrolysis, weird topic for both of us to be writing about on the very same day. I almost never think about skin disorders.

Five minutes later: We are linked, blog to blog.

01/26/2008 04:31 PM by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection)


Charles, Good post! In all my years of inspecting, I have never run across this phenomenon. You guys over there on the west coast must use different types of heating systems than we use over here in the hills. I will tell my inspectors about this and keep an eye out for this myself.  8-}

01/27/2008 03:11 AM by Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)


Charlie,

 

If you look at that chart provided in my blog, that reading of 238 is in the alarming range big time. It is higher than the readings I showed.

01/28/2008 11:32 AM by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection)


Leave a response…

Name:
Notify me of new comments:
Comment:
What does the graphic say?
 
Inspector: Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com)
Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector
Seattle, WA
More about me…
Charles Buell Inspections.com

Cell Phone: (206) 478-7371
Email Me
My blog is intended to provide information related to home inspections in Seattle, surrounding communities and anyone else interested. Enjoy! Subscribe to feed

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner


Links

Tags (Tag Cloud)

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog
ATOM 1.0 Feed for this blog

Find WA real estate agents and Seattle real estate here on ActiveRain.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
© 2007 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved