Thread: rain dripping into fireplace vent

The fireplace is working properly. The client told me water dripping into the fireplace when raining. I do not know it was wind blow rain or any rain causing this problem. How can we find out at inspection?

Thanks

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if the client tells you it leaks, believe the client, and tell them what they need to do to fix it.
Looks like a simple fix to me.

Originally Posted by Peter Louis

The fireplace is working properly. The client told me water dripping into the fireplace when raining. I do not know it was wind blow rain or any rain causing this problem. How can we find out at inspection?

Thanks

Research the fireplace unit for installation instructions before you go to the inspection if possible.

Most through the wall direct vent terminations that I see have a rain diverter shield which I do not see in your photo.

I would say "reported to be leaking" or some such indicating information received from others to get it in your report. You don't want to try to replicate rain conditions. Of course if you see direct evidence of water entry you include that.

I don't doubt that someone here will say you can't include anything you don't directly observe, but I freely use things like: "seller indicates prior leakage in this area" or "neighbor reports repeated flooding in storm conditions".

While working for HHT, leaking horizontal vent terminations was a big engineering problem. How do you make a termination/ firestop assembly that is simple and logic to install, has some sort of flashing lip across the top, drains condensation and frank water that has intruded, forms an acceptable weather seal so you don't get cold air infiltration complaints, and is removable for inspection and service. Now, when you apply those concepts to the termination shown, you quickly realize you cannot meet all those goals. What typically happens with this type termination is it gets caulke with silicone to the stucco and everyone's happy for a few days until it rains---or 5 years later when that section of the wall rots off and is full of goobers.

This is not the time for a Band-Aid repair but by someone familiar with gas hearth appliances and hopefully this brand. As always, record the make, model, serial number and hopefully mfg. date code and forward with this recommendation. If you just recommend caulking you could be liable for all the sins of what's inside such as improperly joined vent pipe, inadequate clearance to combustibles, missing firestops or components, bird nests, water damage, air infiltration, etc.

If the fake, stucco-on-OSB "chimney" box thing goes up past the roof, I would suspect the flashing up there, number one.

I'll see if I have pics of that vent termination. I think they normally have a shield on top, as someone mentioned above.

Thank you for all input. Yes, some direct vent/prefabricated chimney are like this as well as the last one. Normally they are fine. this one is leaking from the vent duct opening not the flashing/caulking on the wall. Unfortunately this was reported by the buyer other than seller a couple of months later after completion. I revisited client the only sign could be an indication is the rust on the vent collar. However, this could be condensate other than actual leaking. Therefore, I am wondering how can we find out the problem during the inspection other than after. Normally the seller w'ont tell us about this.

Fortunately, the client did not complain. They wrapped vent with plastic & contact contractor.

When the rain enters the fireplace through the vent it is often that the vent is pitched up too far. Some call for being level while others must be pitched 1/4" per foot. However, some designs do not have adequate means to control water intrusion into the vent. Remember you have two pipes so two places water can enter. You can still get water from the flashing/ caulking to follow the pipes and enter the fireplace making it appear to be from inside the vent.

I hope they shut off the gas and disabled the controls before bagging that vent termination!

Yes, call a pro