NEW JERSEY CHIMNEY AND FIREPLACE INSPECTION BY A CERTIFIED NJ INSPECTOR
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In
2001, an estimated 54,900 home heating equipment fires were reported to
Masonry or Block Chimney. When a fire occurs in masonry or block chimney, the temperature
at which they burn can disintegrate mortar, crack liners, cause liners to
collapse and can damage the outer structure of the chimney. This damage may provide a
pathway for flame and hot gases to reach the combust
ible
wood framing of the house. Combustion gases can also enter the home, contaminating
the indoor environment. One by-product of combustion is carbon monoxide. This
gas can enter the home through small cracks or openings in the liner and
breaches in the outer chimney structure. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and
colorless gas that can kill.
Pre-Fabricated Metal Chimney. Factory-built metal chimneys that are designed to vent wood burning stoves or a pre-fabricated fireplace must pass stringent testing by the manufacturer and approved by Underwriter's Laboratories (UL). Under fire conditions, damage to these systems still may occur in the form of open or warped seams and joints on the inner liner. When a factory-built metal chimney is damaged by a fire or improper installation they can no longer be used and must be replaced!
A damaged chimney liner is a fire and a health hazard. The only way to evaluate the internal condition of a chimney is to conduct a video scan inspection using a camera designed for this environment. All defects to the chimney liner are structural, many are a fire or health hazard and should be address during the home buying process (talk to your attorney).
The cost to re-line a chimney can
range between $1000 to $4000. In some cases even more depending on the type of
lining system used. If the chimney liner is not
video scanned
during your inspection contingency period it can become an expense and a hazard you didn't
bargain for.
Most home inspectors in New Jersey will disclaim the internal elements of the chimney and the area above the fireplace damper in their inspection report because they may not be trained or certified for this type of inspection. Some do not inspect the fireplace at all because they do not have the training. These home inspectors should advise you to contact a certified New Jersey chimney/fireplace inspection professional (not a chimney sweep) and have an internal inspection performed. (Home inspector information)
A F.I.R.E certified technician using digital video equipment, will video scan the internal elements of the chimney flue, the top of the damper and smoke chamber of the fireplace. A report, which includes color photographs of any defects found, (see photo's below) will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of the inspection.
The video equipment is designed to work from the bottom up so interior access to the fireplace and/or heating system flue is required. In some cases the camera can be lowered from the top of the chimney. This of course depends on the condition, height and slope of the roof, the location and height of the chimney and weather conditions at the time of the inspection.
If your New Jersey home inspector, real estate agent, attorney or municipality recommends or requires a chimney flue or fireplace inspection give me a call. I will provide you with the information you need to protect your family and your investment.
Absolute Home Inspection of New Jersey does not conduct any type of chimney repair or re-linings. I am not affiliated with any contractor, mason or engineer. I do not provide an estimate for repairs or make an offer to refund your money for the inspection if you use one of my certified contractors. I do not issue a referral fee to any home inspector or real estate agent who recommends my service. Be careful of any company that makes these offers. All chimney inspections are performed by an Absolute Home Inspection F.I.R.E certified inspector and not farmed out to another company. This avoids any potential conflict and ensures that you receive unbiased inspection results.
I am so confident in the thoroughness of my chimney and fireplace inspection that if any other F.I.R.E certified inspector contradicts my report and puts it in writing I will refund the fee you paid for this inspection.
If your buying a home in New Jersey with a masonry fireplace or chimney or just concerned about the safety of your chimney or furnace venting system, give me a call and be Absolute'ly sure it's safe
Don't let this happen to you! Have that chimney flue video scanned and be Absolute'ly sure it's safe.
Certified NJ Fireplace/Chimney Inspector
Please, take the time to look at the pictures posted below. Your life and property may depend on it!
Left click on the pictures to enlarge
EWING TWP., MERCER COUNTY
Below are pictures of a chimney flue in a 50 year old home
The openings in this flue pose a serious health and fire hazard. This chimney will need re-lining.
I was told that this chimney was inspected and certified safe prior to this inspection (what do you think??).
If your buying a home with a fireplace, don't let someone else (homeowner, real estate agent) certify it's safety.
Call Absolute Home Inspections and be Absolute'ly sure it's safe
ANOTHER HOME IN EWING TWP., MERCER COUNTY
This is the condition of the flue liner taken with video equipment. The missing mortar between the liner sections create a hazardous condition. Again, dangerous gases and heat pose a serious threat to the occupants of this home. This chimney and fireplace just received a safety certification from a local sweep?? The buyer decided to have the chimney scanned even though there was a certification for safe use. Good thing! This damage along with other conditions found will require expensive and extensive repairs to the fireplace and chimney.
Don't take any chances with someone else certifying the fireplace and chimney in the home you are about to purchase. Absolute Home Inspections is F.I.R.E. trained and certified to perform this service.
Call now and be Absolute'ly sure the home you are buying is safe.
PRINCETON BOROUGH, MERCER COUNTY
The picture's below were taken at a Townhouse complex. These openings are so large that this flue system is dangerous.
The only repair is to re-line this chimney.
If the current buyer did not have this chimney scanned he would have had to pay for the re-lining ($2000 or more). Don't be fooled when someone tells you that the chimney was just cleaned. That's not the same as a video scan! Most Townhouse and Condo Associations require chimney cleaning every year or so. The internal sections of the flue cannot be seen without special equipment.
So, if your purchasing a Townhouse or Condo in New Jersey and it has a fireplace, don't take any chances. Have it scanned and be Absolute'ly sure it's safe.
Your life may depend on it!
EAST BRUNSWICK, MIDDLESEX COUNTY
The picture below is of a chimney flue located in a 35 year old house.
There is a large crack in the flue liner just 7 feet up the chimney. This puts the crack right above the mantel and below the ceiling line of the room. Hot gases can enter this crack and over time may ignite the combustible framing of the house.
The openings in the flue tiles below were caused by the builder of the chimney. He didn't want to cut the last liner so they placed stones and bricks between the liners as they went up the chimney.
With this kind of installation and a breach in the chimney structure it is just a matter of time before the right temperature ignites the combustible material in the wall.
The cost of a scan is minimal compared to the damage and pain caused by a fire.
Don't let this happen to you. Call Absolute and be Absolute'ly sure the chimney is safe.
EAST BRUNSWICK, MIDDLESEX COUNTY
This damage was found in a 50 year old house. This flue was most likely installed in this condition. Given the age of the home it may only be a matter of time before hot gases ignite any combustible material that may be located next to the chimney!
Again, this chimney needs re-lining for safe operation.
Don't just settle for a home inspection. If the home your are buying has a fireplace be sure to get a chimney flue scan.
Call Absolute Home Inspections and be Absolute'ly sure the home you are buying is safe!
MANAHAWKIN, OCEAN COUNTY
Below are pictures of a factory built fireplace originally designed to burn wood. It has been converted to natural gas.
The log set in the firebox is to large for this appliance. But more importantly, the rust around the damper has left openings that will allow dangerous gases to enter the home contaminating the indoor environment with carbon monoxide. This fireplace is dangerous and cannot be repaired. It must be replaced.
Don't let this happen to you. Have that fireplace inspected by a F.I.R.E. certified inspector and be Absolute'ly sure it's safe.
LOGAN TWP., GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Here are some pictures of a chimney flue liner in a townhouse complex in Logan Twp., Gloucester County
This liner is so bad that it may have affected the chimney structure itself.
A new liner will be required in this chimney if the chimney does not have to be re-built.
If you are purchasing a home with a fireplace the chimney flue must be inspected with a camera to determine if it is safe.
ABSOLUTE HOME INSPECTIONS is certified to perform this inspection
A F.I.R.E certified inspector will inspect the internal areas of the flue with a camera so you can be sure its safe.
MOUNT HOLLY TWP., BURLINGTON COUNTY
The pictures above were taken in a 50 year old home in Mt Holly, NJ
As you can see these cracks and missing mortar are located just above the smoke chamber where the temperature can reach 1500 degrees. Any breach in the chimney structure may allow hot gases to come in contact with the combustible framing of the home. The owner of this home was lucky, she did not use this fireplace for over 12 years therefore avoiding a possible house fire. This fireplace cannot be used safely without relining the chimney.
If you're considering buying an older home you must have the chimney flue video scanned for this kind of damage.
YOUR LIFE MAY DEPEND ON IT
PISCATAWAY, MIDDLESEX COUNTY
This is a triangular crack in the first flue liner just above the smoke chamber.
Below is the condition of the smoke chamber. There are multiple holes in this metal firebox due to severe rusting.
This damage could not be seen without the use of a camera!
This fireplace and chimney cannot be used and will require extensive repairs (a major expense) to restore safe operation.
Don't take any chances. Call Absolute Home Inspections and be Absolute'ly sure your fireplace and chimney is safe to use.
SURF CITY, NJ
These are pictures of a chimney flue in a older home down the shore.
The openings in the flue are so large that you can see the chimney structure. Dangerous gases and combustion by-products can enter this space causing damage to the chimney structure along with possible fire danger to the house. Fortunately, this fireplace was used very little.
Above right the wooden forms used to construct the fireplace were left in place. Sooner or later they will burn with possible smoke and carbon monoxide entering the home. Also, the contractor use a section of cement asbestos shingle under the ash dump. Ash and burning embers can deposit there causing additional hazards. This material must be removed and the chimney re-lined to ensure safe operation of the fireplace
Don't take any chances with your purchase or the safety of your family. Have that chimney flue inspected and be ABSOLUTE'LY sure it's safe to use.
Your life may depend on it.
EATONTOWN, NJ
The pictures below are of a chimney in an older home in Eatontown. Again, this chimney was certified as safe to use by a local sweep who performed a level II inspection just 5 days before I did this scan.
There is cracking of the liner due to a past chimney fire and missing mortar between the liners that may allow hot and dangerous gases to come in contact with the combustible framing of the house.
This chimney is dangerous and cannot be used in this condition.
Don't take any chances. Call Absolute Home Inspections and be Absolute'ly sure your fireplace and chimney is safe to use.
LONG BEACH TWP. LONG BEACH ISLAND
The above pictures are from a 50 year old home on Long Beach Island.
This flue is so bad I don't know how the house did not catch fire.
This fireplace also has a smoking condition. Dangerous gases have been exiting the fireplace into the home for a long time to produce this much staining on the surround.
This fireplace will need extensive and expensive repairs for safe operation.
Don't take any chances. Call Absolute Home Inspections and be Absolute'ly sure your fireplace and chimney is safe to use.
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