Professional Home Inspector - November 2016
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PROFESSIONAL HOME
INSPECTOR
November 2016
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David Clark
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"Dedicated To Training
& Information For The Professional Home Inspector"
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Also in this issue....
(click on links below for more info)
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Address:
3014 Delaware Ave.
Ste-158
Kenmore NY 14217
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This month's Tech Tip is about backdraft and what a home
inspector should be looking for.
Also see "News from the home inspector world"
link on the right for new Radon information
Don't forget that many past newsletters with valuable
inspection information can be found by clicking the link in the left
column. or you can CLICK
HERE for them
Check out our survey results from last month,
and be sure to take this month's survey! (Left pane)
LESS THAN A
5 MINUTE ROOF INSPECTION? - Click Play to Find out how.........
   
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This Month's Tech Tip
Looking For Backdraft
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Backdrafting is the reversal of flue gases
that may cause Carbon Monoxide to enter the living space. Some home
inspectors use Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors; however backdrafting may
not be present during a home inspection. A home inspector can look for evidence
and conditions that may facilitate backdrafting. We know that the
spillage of CO can be deadly. I think there is not a winter season that
goes by that we do not hear about someone who was overcome by CO. So
what are some of the conditions that may cause backdrafting and what
should a home inspector be looking for? A good place to start is the
flue or vent pipe. If the vent connector length is equal to or greater
than the vent system height or if the vent system contains elbows
totaling more that 180°; flue gases may cool and condense causing
backdraft. Melted plastic tabs on a hot water heater (picture above)
may also be an indication of backdrafting. Corroded metal flue pipe,
especially at elbows or where the flue enters the chimney. The length
of a vent pipe should not be longer than 1 ½ times the vent connector
diameter. As an example; a 4 inch diameter vent should not be longer
than 6 feet. A 5 inch diameter pipe should be no longer than 7.5 feet.
If more than a total of 180° of elbows are used, the vent diameter
should be increased, however doing so may cause flue gases to cool and
condense. Here are some more conditions regarding backdrafting that
home inspectors should be looking for;
- If
two flue pipes are inserted into a chimney, the smaller diameter pipe
should be installed above the larger. This will provide the maximum
vertical rise and better natural draft for the smaller appliance when it
is operating alone
- Spalling
on masonry chimneys
- Higher
efficient units employing a draft inducer that vent into a chimney,
normally should have a flue liner. Because of the large flue, gases may
condense and backdraft
- A
vent connector should be inserted no closer to the opposite side of the
chimney than the vent connector diameter. For example, a 4 inch diameter
vent connector should be no closer than 4 inches to the opposite side of
the chimney.
- Vent
pipes should terminate at least 2’ above anything within 10’ of it.
Improper termination can cause backdrafting during certain wind conditions
- Vent
pipes should terminate at least 10’ horizontally or 3’ vertically above an
operable window or an air intake, including those serving the HVAC system
- Vent
pipes should be connected using at least 3 screws or a proper locking
connection
- Vent
pipe sections are installed incorrectly (the bottom section should be
inserted into the upper section)
- In
addition to required roof clearance, the flue pipe should extend between
1-4’ and high enough for snow cover
- Single
wall flue pipe should not be used in attics, garages, and in crawl spaces
in cold climates. It also should not directly penetrate walls, ceilings
& floors.
- Single
wall flue pipe may penetrate the roof and sidewall with a proper thimble
if at least 6 inches of clearance to combustibles is maintained.
- Rust
or debris around flue pipe, especially where it penetrates the chimney
- “Orphaned”
hot water tanks, may need a stainless steel liner
- Connections
of flue pipes should be used with a “wye” connection not a “T” connection
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The 2016 Niagara Frontier Home Inspectors Training
Conference was a huge success and the largest to date!
SAVE THE DATE - October 13-14 2017
Here are some pictures from the event......
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THANK YOU 2016 CONFERENCE SPONSORS!
- InspectorLab
- Inspector
Services Group (ISG)
- Inspection
Support Network (ISN)
- EMSL
Analytical
- Joe Ferry
- How To
Operate Your Home
- WNY ASHI
- InterNACHI
- inspectcheck.net
- Inspector
Pro Insurance Programs
- Kritter
Cap
- Healthy
Housing Solutions
- Zonolite
Attic Insulation Trust
- ADT
Security
- MOLD
TAMER
- Buffalo
Aerial Pictures
2016
Niagara Frontier Home Inspectors Training Conference Trainers - THANK
YOU!!
John Cangemi
Tom Feiza
Joe Ferry
P. Nathan Thornberry
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