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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Near Philly, Pa.
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    1,682

    Cool what do you think?

    Study this pic carefully then share with us what you would report as a home inspector.

    Enjoy!

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    Keep the fire in the fireplace.

  2. #2
    Bob Mayer's Avatar
    Bob Mayer Guest

    Talking Re: what do you think?

    The ash-pit cleanout access should be lower and made of fire-resistant material.

    - BOB


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Healdsburg, CA
    Posts
    1,741

    Cool Re: what do you think?

    Bob, your photo is too small for me to determine if that window meets fireplace emergency egress? Help me out.

    Jerry McCarthy
    Building Code/ Construction Consultant

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,042

    Default Re: what do you think?

    Looks like the wash/parge coat on the sloping sides is stained.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    1,828

    Default Re: what do you think?

    I'm not loving the power supply to the added rear dormer sent up the exterior wall. It appears the cap at chimney is darker at the rear indicating boiler use but flue clearances between window and flue are unknown.
    Is this Jerry's house?


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    3,154

    Default Re: what do you think?

    Is that Cinderella's room?

    Department of Redundancy Department
    Supreme Emperor of Hyperbole
    http://www.FullCircleInspect.com/

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Corpus Christi, TX
    Posts
    615

    Default Re: what do you think?

    The windows on the right side were obviously not preshrunk to manufatuter specs.

    The only reason some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.
    - Paul Fix

  8. #8
    David Banks's Avatar
    David Banks Guest

    Default Re: what do you think?

    Is it me or has the chimney been rebuilt above windows on second floor.
    Improper cap. Any lintel above window? Will window effect strengh of chimney structure?


  9. #9
    Joseph P. Hagarty's Avatar
    Joseph P. Hagarty Guest

    Default Re: what do you think?

    Bob,

    Appears that the Fireplace has been removed....

    Is the Furnace / Boiler Flue still contained within that Chimney?


  10. #10
    Richard Rushing's Avatar
    Richard Rushing Guest

    Default Re: what do you think?

    My report may read something like this...
    __________________________________
    "Do not lean on or touch window... window may spontaneous combust with little or no notice!! If the lower level window glows after having a fire in the fireplace, be sure and remain calm until the firetruck arrives...

    Additionally, this home may have been prominently featured in an Ammityville featured film. If the window does not spontaneous combust, the front door may inexpectably be pushed outward.

    In either case, a priest will be needed."
    _____________________________________

    Rich


  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    2,797

    Default Re: what do you think?

    Sesame Street Inspection: "Which one of these doesn't belong?"


  12. #12
    Richard Rushing's Avatar
    Richard Rushing Guest

    Default Re: what do you think?

    Hey Bobby, come'on back and tell us more about this "fun-house".

    I'm interested to hear the real story... did the door every break outward??

    Rich


  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Posts
    1,217

    Default Re: what do you think?

    It does not appear that fire-rated caulk was used around the window.

    "Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand." Leo Durocher
    Bruce Breedlove
    www.avaloninspection.com

  14. #14
    K Robertson's Avatar
    K Robertson Guest

    Default Re: what do you think?

    Wutt?? I don't see nothin' wrong with that! and Bob, how did you get a picture of my house anyway?

    Seriously, would love to see what it looked like from the inside.


  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Near Philly, Pa.
    Posts
    1,682

    Smile Re: what do you think?

    Me too! This was a drive-by. I'm going to stop and get a closer shot. Anybody notice something about the mortar color?

    So, all joking aside, just how would you write this up? Quote your reference that this is not acceptable.

    Keep the fire in the fireplace.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,042

    Default Re: what do you think?

    It appears that the firebox was removed and a window installed, rendering the rest of the brick chimney potentially structurally unsafe.

    From that photo, and that distance, "it appears" to be such, but for all I know, 'there could be' a vent in there going up one side and around the window, but might not be.

    Regardless, the chimney looks like it could fall down on it own, thus it needs help 'falling down' so the timing of its fall will avoid injury to persons and the direction of its fall will avoid damage to the structure.



    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Corpus Christi, TX
    Posts
    615

    Default Re: what do you think?

    Assuming that the fireplace/flue had been completely disabled and the chimney served no function, then I'd probably focus on the construction of the window opening to try to determine if a lintel had been installed. I'm assuming that is stone and not some kind of faux stone that doesn't weigh anything.
    I'd be looking all over it for evidence of current failure and then report as to what I found and why the possibilities for future failure were present. I'd probably wrap it up by suggesting that they have a qualified professional design appropriate support for the stones above the opening or that they remove the chimney, irrespective of how it looked at the time of inspection.

    The only reason some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.
    - Paul Fix

  18. #18
    Michael Greenwalt's Avatar
    Michael Greenwalt Guest

    Default Re: what do you think?

    The photo is actually too small (for me <---needs magnifying glasses to see any detail. If no lintel that is easy to write and find code. Was the window properly flashed? The new opening properly flashed? Was there an engineer document regarding structural capabilty and retrofit requirements? Many questions I would have but not being able to really see the window I couldn't narrow it down from here.


  19. #19
    Jim Gecz's Avatar
    Jim Gecz Guest

    Default Re: what do you think?

    Look at the irregular pattern and sizes of the stone, except for that portion over the window. Even looks like a metal lintel may have been installed. (superman glasses)

    That is stucco siding, correct?

    (BTW Bob - get the articles?)


  20. #20
    Dale W. Feb's Avatar
    Dale W. Feb Guest

    Wink Re: what do you think?

    Obviously, this is a contractor’s house. Note that no two windows are the same size. This means that this house was built out of surplus material from other jobs. The window in the fireplace was added as indicated by the upper pane design.

    All joking aside, this was the first see-through fireplace ever built. It is located at the corner of Dumb Ave. and Puck Street in Uburnem Pennsylvania. It is well known tourist attraction. It is also known as the Dumb Puck residence.

    Actually, this was one of the first prototypes of the appliance that we all know now as a direct vent fireplace.

    Well, I tried to be serious. Does that count?


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