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

Sean Allen

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

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/

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!

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.

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-}

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.