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What Homeowners Don't Know Can Hurt Them

By
Home Inspector with King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. Home Inspector Lic #207
Most of us go through life knowing lots about our field, whatever that might be. But it is amazing, and sometimes scary, when one thinks about those things that people get by with that could lead to a catastrophe if certain factors came into play.

A classic example of that would be the way many people do their own wiring -- creating any number of fire or safety hazards. But, for that to happen, one is talking about an assertive homeowner. How about the people who do something that requires zero effort but what they do leads to a fire hazard.

I have here a photo of just such a situation. Almost everyone has seen a furnace or a water heater with a B-vent. That vent lets the exhaust out of the gas burning appliance.

I see the paper manuals for the furnace, in plastic bags, behind those vents all the time. What people do not realize is that a B-vent gets hot -- 300 degrees. Case in point below.

When I tried to pull the bag out from behind the vent -- guess what? It was melted to the metal B-vent. Another careless scenario consists of people running the B-vent up through a circular hole in a wood shelf. Then you might find paper towels, the shelf, spray cans and you name it, resting on the metal vent. People need to be told that this vent is not like the vacuum cleaner hose. A B-vent, with combustibles nearby can lead to a fire.

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

Posted by

Steven L. Smith

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Comments (13)

Anthony Stokes-Pereira
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Nanuet, NY
Realtor

Hi Steven;

Great post and I thank you for sharing with us. Good Luck!!

May 22, 2009 02:15 PM
John Mulkey
TheHousingGuru.com - Waleska, GA
Housing Guru

Steven, as a former builder I probably saw the warranty info tucked behind the pipe dozens of times; it seemed the guys just couldn't think ahead. I always collected all the warranty info--appliances, equipment, etc, and placed it in a kitchen drawer. 

May 22, 2009 02:19 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Interesting ... we see that all too often.  I had no idea that the vent got so hot.

May 22, 2009 02:23 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Steven,

Wow I did not realize the vent got so warm! A lesson learned today. Thanks for sharing.

May 22, 2009 02:32 PM
Bob Foster
Century 21 Lanthorn R. E. Ltd. Belleville, Ontario - Belleville, ON

Thanks, Steven. Please share more!

May 22, 2009 02:41 PM
Nannette Hilliard
Exit Professional Real Estate - Monroe, WI
CDPE, ABR, CRS

I have seen this often and never have realized it.

May 22, 2009 02:48 PM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

I see things piled in those heat/air closets all  of the time!

May 22, 2009 02:51 PM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Steve, I would rather have a nice tuna melt.

May 22, 2009 03:32 PM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Sometimes I see them tucked to the side, under the metal flex conduit that is so often used on the power. It is certainly an improvement.

May 22, 2009 03:50 PM
Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

Steven, thanks for pointing that out to us. What is your opinion of running a drain pipe from a kitchen Through the heating duct? Yes, I saw this last week for the first time; it was run at a 90degree angle right through the heatiing duct.

May 22, 2009 05:28 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Steven, good point. Just think how hot that puppy would be if it were not B vent...

Your building consultant for life in Nashville, TN

May 22, 2009 08:57 PM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

I found romex wire laid right on the furnace flue. First it melts, then it sparks and the lights go out.

May 22, 2009 11:42 PM
Roy A. Peterson
Domicile Analysis of Texas - El Paso, TX
P.R.E.I.

Steven, during the cold months, that the first thing I kick on is the furnace and pull my lunch next to the vent pipe.

By the time I'm finished with my inspection my lunch is nice and warm, works just about as good as an oven. LOL

                                          ~ Life is Good

May 23, 2009 01:54 AM