Can you find what's wrong in this picture?

[Kevin Luce]

I saw this and had a big smile.:) I found this on the internet and it mentioned that this was new construction. I figure this would put a smile on your face or get your head to start moving back and forth.

[Jason Welch]

Think there might be a "possibility for future leakage?"....

[Tim Moreira]

Is that a cricket or a grasshopper???:D

[Richard Moore]

It's the latest thing in green houses. To save concrete they only install the laval stage and in about 4 weeks it goes through metamorphis to emerge as a full size cricket. You guys have to try to keep up!

;)

[Michael Thomas]

"Used I two weeks ago, it worked fine."

One thing I was wondering: currently there is an opening to a flue only above left half... was it built this way, or was there a 2X flue, with the right side now blocked off to allow it's use by the currently installed gas boiler. I'll be interested to see what the chimney tech has to say about this one.

[Rick Hurst]

How about this one. Whats wrong with it?

[Mike Schulz]

Rick,
That's fire proof carpet!;)

[Tim Moreira]

Rick,

Maybe that's a fake one just for looks ;)

[Paul Kondzich]

How about this one today. The wire out front will keep everything off the carpet.

[Paul Kondzich]

Sorry missed pic

[Paul Kondzich]

Actually while I am at it I will post some more of the pics from the same house today.Bruce Breedlove why could you have got this inspection......

1. Dont step out this door...
2. Why do I get blown down in the shower?
3. Federal Pacific and aluminum.....
4. Small skylight leak
5. Lets tap off the dryer circuit to run our new hottub, oh, copper to aluminum with aluminum rated electrical tape....

[Glen Stevenson]

I might be wrong; but has any one noticed the improper flashing? And yes I like the Barbie doll Cricket on the Hearst castle chimney.

[Bob Harper]

I see nothing wrong with that woodstove, Paul.............................................. .......as long as it is not connected and is used as an end table.

[Michael Thomas]

Bob Harper, do you have any comments of the picture of the damper I poster above, and on the possible history of its flue?

[Rick Hurst]

How about this one?

[Tim Moreira]

Well the solder joints are a little messy :)

[Bob Harper]

Michael, there are several variants of this damper floating around out there. Many companies whose foundaries made municipal castings also made their own version of fireplace throat dampers. There are no national standards for the manufacturing of dampers so make what you want and sell it. Doesn't make it a good idea to use....

Most all throat dampers have several common problems:
As Dale has recently pointed out, the thermal expansion in many directions can damage masonry when it is mortared in tightly with no expansion joints.
The metal rusts out badly
They fit poorly on a good day meaning they tend to leak air like crazy
When the smoke chamber is tapered too abruptly, the valve plate of the damper can hit thus preventing full open/ close or even wedging stuck.
They are awkward to operate for even experienced wood burners
Since most valve plates are not retained but simply flop in a groove, the valve plate can easily get dislodged when the uninitiated gets frustrated and tries to force it open using "feel-a-vision".
They have been known to suddenly fall closed during a fire
They make it very difficult to access the smoke shelf for cleaning thus usually require removal then re-installation at each cleaning or inspection.

I saved the worst for last--they cause severe turbulence and smoke spillage. There were fluid dynamic studies of open hearths back in 1928 by Prof. Peter Rosin for the Coal Utilization Board in the UK. He demonstrated the eddies formed by non-aerodynamic shapes and throat dampers are certainly on that list as are smoke shelves. He disproved the wives tale that smoke shelves reverse downdrafts. They just add turbulence.

Mike, your damper appears to have some detritus or even deceased critter. There is also missing mortar. If I was inspecting this, I'd recommend this damper be blown out, the throat Rumfordized (mad aerodynamic) and install a combination top damper/rain cap/ animal guard.

HTH

[Brian Doles]

How about this one?

What's the deal with the rafter in the background?? :)

This is in an attic isn't it?

[Erby Crofutt]

Personally, I liked Richard's explanation of the new style of crickets in green building. Very imaginative and informative.