Fall tips

Have You Ever Seen Chimney Mortar Turn To Powder?

The powdering mortar that is falling out is failing most likely due to age and the type of ingredients used in the original mortar. A lot of soda ash was used as a filler, and this makes the mortar softer. Modern mortars are premixed and are much more resistant to powdering. They are also much harder than the old brick, and when the new mortar expands it could cause the face of the brick to shatter. Contractors or masons should be advised to take care in the repair process to avoid shattering. What a contractor will probably do will be "tuckpointing" - where the old mortar is raked out of the joint and new mortar "tucked" or forced into the groove with a narrow trowel or tuckpointing tool. It is extremely important in older homes to keep the chimney and mortar in good condition. The chimney is likely unlined meaning it is brick inside and out, without a tile liner. When the chimney was built it was designed for a wood or coal furnace, but now it is servicing a gas- or oil-forced furnace. There is so much moisture generated by furnaces that the water can damage the brick and the mortar. A hole or gap in the chimney can also allow flue gases to escape into the home's attic or living space. Overexposure to these gases can cause injury, death, or a house fire.

Stoffer Inspections, L.C. (785) 766-0600

Chimney Tips

Chimneys pose a potential danger. Most of them are concealed or inaccessible, yet they play a critical role in the overall safety of a wood-burning system. Chimneys have two functions. They create a draft to bring air to the fire, and they carry hot gases safely away. To accomplish this, two types of chimneys are commonly used:

Factory-built metal: These chimneys have internal insulation for cooling, allow greater flexibility in stove placement, and are simple and less expensive to install. Only units listed by a national testing service should be used.
Masonry: These chimneys have the benefit of increasing the net efficiency of a heating system by up to 15% due to "leaking" heat into the house. They are also more attractive and tend to be more durable (and more costly) than the metal alternative.

Most people use an existing chimney for their wood-burning system. Because you cannot be sure of an old chimney's safety, an expert, such as a qualified mason or chimney sweep, should inspect it before it is used. There are also things that you can check personally.

Tile liner. Tile liners, not present in all older chimneys, increase overall safety. You can tell if there is a liner by looking up and down the flue with a flashlight; the flue should look smooth and uniform. Scrape the surface and you will find that it is much harder than brick (if there is a liner).
Flue tiles. If there are cracks in the flue tiles, hot gasses and creosote can escape the flue prematurely and start a fire. If you build a smokey fire and cover the flue and smoke escapes through any cracks or holes, they must be repaired before the chimney is used.
Bricks. If there is loose mortar between the bricks that crumbles easily, it will have to be repaired before the chimney is used.
Chimney clearance. Exterior and interior chimneys must have a 1-inch and 2-inch, respectively, clearance from combustibles at all points.
Rain cap. A rain cap prevents outside moisture from deteriorating a chimney. A rain cap also make it harder to clean the chimney.
Chimney height. A chimney should extend at least three feet above flat roofs. On pitched roofs they should be two feet higher than any point within ten feet and should be three feet higher than the point where they exit the roof.

It is relatively simple for a mason to extend a chimney that does not meet these minimum standards. Keeping a chimney safe is an ongoing concern. Even if a chimney is safe today, it does not mean that it will be safe next year. Frequent inspections are necessary to ensure adequate safety.

Stoffer Inspections, L.C. (785) 766-0600

Unique Home Maintenance Tips Dealing With Gutter Debris?

Some people throw peanuts onto the roof so they roll down into the gutters. Local squirrels then kick all the leaves and other debris out of the gutters as they search.

Stoffer Inspections, L.C. (785) 766-0600

Fire Safety Review

More than 4,000 deaths result from household fires each year. Recognizing how fires start is the first step to protecting frlends, family, and clients.

A home's electrical system is designed to safely carry a specific load of electricity. If that total is surpassed, fuses or circuit breakers will open and shut off the current. Never try to increase the maximum load by replacing burnt-out fuses with those allowing higher current levels. If a fuse is not the right size, don't use it. Never place anything other than a fuse in a fuse holder. If you experience frequent fuse replacements or circuit-breaker resets, first check the main electrical box to see which section of the house is affected. Once identified, reduce the amount of electricity used in those areas by unplugging a few appliances or moving them to another room. If this doesn't help, have a professional electrician inspect the system to determine the cause of overload. When an appliance will not reach a wall outlet, extension cords are a common temporary solution. But they are not meant to be permanent fixtures If more outlets are needed, have them installed by a qualified professional. And never run electrical cords under carpets or secure them with nails or staples.

Household fires can start in a number of ways. With a fire-safety checklist, you will recognize some of the more common hazards. For example, flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, and paint thinner can be extremely dangerous and should never be stored near sources of heat, especially furnaces, water heaters, and other gas appliances. Use plastic or metal storage containers, not breakable glass, and keep the lids tightly sealed to prevent escaping flammable vapors. In the event of a fire, smoke detectors can save lives. For maximum protection, place a smoke alarm on every floor and outside each bedroom. Test each detector at least once a month and replace the batteries annually. Whenever vacuuming or dusting, do not forget the vents on the smoke detector where grease, dust, and dirt can build up and cause a malfunction.

Stoffer Inspections, L.C. (785) 766-0600

Too Old to Beep?

A leading manufacturer of smoke detectors recommends that detectors be replaced every 10 years. If you are not sure on the age of a detector try this smoke test... Snuff a candle near the detector to create some smoke. If the battery is fresh and the detector does not sound off, then replace it.

Stoffer Inspections, L.C. (785) 766-0600

Heater Check-up Time!

All gas-fred and oil-fired heating systems should be inspected at least once a year by a qualified service technician. Based on the results of the inspection, the furnace or boiler will be cleaned, tuned, or adjusted. The process is different for both types of systems.

Gas Heating Systems. The tuneup should include:
- Brushing and vacuuming the heat exchanger, burners, and burner ports to remove rust and soot buildup.
- Checking components for wear and corrosion and replacing items as required.
- Examining the condition of the vent, vent connector pipe, and chimney for deterioration.
- Checking the physical integrity of the furnace and its heat exchanger. Replacing or cleaning the air filter (recommended as monthly maintenance)
Oil Heating Systems.The tuneup should include:
- Brushing and vacuuming the heat exchanger to remove soot buildup.
- Replacing worn components.
- Replacing the oil filter.
- Installing a new oil spray nozzle in the burner.
- Adjusting the system for clean operation and maximum efficiency.
- Checking the condition of the chimney and flue connector pipes for deterioration.
- Ensuring that the vent size is correct.

If you're considering upgrading, a service technician can perform an efficiency test on each type of heater. This test measures the operating performance of the combustion system and provides a combustion efficiency rating. The results will enable you to consider upgrade options along with their expected energy savings and costs. The test report should include an estimate of the remaining life expectancy of the unit. Do not add a retrofit package to a furnace or boiler if the life expectancy is shorter than the time required for the investment to pay for itself in terms of reduced operating expenses.

Stoffer Inspections, L.C. (785) 766-0600

Providing Gutter Re-Leaf

Autumn always brings with it the problem of rain gutters clogged by leaves and debris. It is important to keep rain gutters clean and clear of foreign objects. Water overflow caused by clogged gutters can direct water to the foundation or back up under roofing and within walls. This backup can lead to flooded basements and rotten wood. There are several prevention strategies available for the following problems:

Falling Leaves: A gutter cover made of metal mesh supplies good protection from falling leaves. Most covers can beflipped open to remove small objects that have passed through the mesh.
Fine Debris: Small items, such as pine needles, require a solid sheet of metal to cover the gutter like a helmet. The surface tension of the cover, which is suspended above the gutter, allows water toflow into the gutter while solids fall away harmlessly. Other: Another non-clogging alternative eliminates gutters altogether. This system disperses rainwater over a series of louvers resembling a partially opened venetian blind.

We recommend checking references of homes with similar problems. If you are still uncertain about whether a system meets specific needs, install the system on part of the home for a trial run. Whichever system you choose, rainwater will be diverted away from the structure to help eliminate problems associated with water overflow.

Stoffer Inspections, L.C. (785) 766-0600

Arachnid Alert!

Smoke detectors' vents can harbor the sticky webs of spiders. If a spider spins a web through a smoke detector, it will take longer for the detector to work. The webs also trap dust which can cause malfunctioning. The smoke detector may become abnormally sensitive, going off even before the toast begins to burn. Or it can get to the point where it doesn't work at all. Homeowners should run their vacuum cleaners over their smoke detectors monthly.

Stoffer Inspections, L.C. (785) 766-0600

Insulating Ideas

Contrary to popular belief, closing up all the vents in an attic is not the best way to keep a house warm in winter. Sealing attic vents can actually increase costs and cause significant damage. Attics should be cold and as dry as possible during the cold.

However, in most homes, moisture escapes from the living area and drifts upward from showers, unvented clothes dryers, humidifiers and kitchen ranges. If moisture is trapped in an improperly ventilated attic in the winter, it condenses on the underside of the roof and may appear as water drops or mildew on the sheathing, frost on roofing nails or water stains on wood rafters. Even water stains on the ceiling of the floor below, which homeowners frequently mistake for signs of roof leak, can be caused by attic moisture condensation. In extreme cases, attic condensation and moisture can make insulation wet causing a loss in its insulation value. This effect actually increases heat loss from the living area and accelerates moisture damage. Home owners can take these steps to insure necessary ventilation:

Leave area vents (at the ridge, soffits and gable ends) open all year to allow moist air to escape.
Weatherstrip attic access hatches and caulk around attic plumbing stacks to prevent moisture and warm house air from escaping into the affic.
Make sure the vapor barrier is under the attic floor insulation next to the warm ceiling below to block rising moisture.
Use exhaust fans when cooking, bathing or doing laundry to ensure moisture-laden air is expelled outside of the living area.
Check the attic to make sure there is enough vent area; a general rule of thumb is one square foot of venting for every 300 square feet of attic floor, provided there is a vapor barrier.

Stoffer Inspections, L.C. (785) 766-0600