- Chimney Cleaning Schedule - Chimneys and flues should be cleaned and/or inspected annually. Neglecting to do this could endanger everyone in the home. Birds or other animals can make nests or get stuck in chimneys and flues blocking them. When this happens it is possible that carbon monoxide that should have been vented to the outside will, instead, build [...]Read More about Chimney Cleaning Schedule
- Don’t Burn THIS in the Fireplace - There are two things you do not want to burn in the fireplace. Do not burn newspapers, magazines, old bills, or other paper products in your fireplace or stove. Burning paper can produce 1400 degree temperatures in an instant, whereas a normal fire burns at between 400 and 600 degrees. This sudden and excessive heat [...]Read More about Don’t Burn THIS in the Fireplace
- Flue Pipes (Types of Chimney Liners) - There are three different types of chimney liner commonly used. Brick Liners Brick was used in the older homes built in the nineteenth and first half of the twentieth century. These bricks tend to deteriorate with age and moisture and should not be considered suitable for further use without a professional inspection annually. Using a [...]Read More about Flue Pipes (Types of Chimney Liners)
- Gas Log Fireplaces - There are two types of gas logs available; the traditional vented type and the newer vent-free type. The vented type must have a working flue (chimney) if they are to be installed. The vent-free or un-vented type does not need a flue. Vented Type Fireplaces For regular vented gas logs the flue must be in [...]Read More about Gas Log Fireplaces
- Reasons for Chimney Failure - Chimneys suffer from a two-pronged attack throughout their life. The first attack comes from the outside; wind, rain, freezing weather and ice. Over time these elements wear down the exterior’s defenses, cracking the crown on the top of the chimney, damaging brickwork, and causing mortar joints to fail and crack. The second attack is from [...]Read More about Reasons for Chimney Failure
- Using a Log Stove - When burning a fire in a log stove or insert fireplace with glass doors that are closed on a regular basis, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Most manufacturers recommend after a slow, relatively cool fire has been burning for a few hours, that the fire should be stoked up and burned hot [...]Read More about Using a Log Stove
Dayton, Ohio Home Inspectors
Gas Line Dirt Legs
Gas and particularly natural gas piping may have traces of sediment or particulates in it, especially if work has been done to the underground piping under the street. To trap any contaminates before they flow into the appliance, blocking the burner and creating problems for the home owner a series of dirt legs are installed. […]Read More about Gas Line Dirt Legs
Thermostat Placement Is Crucial
A badly placed thermostat plays havoc with the heating and cooling of a house. In this case the wall light creates a warm zone beside the thermostat causing it to register hotter than the rest of the house. This means that it reaches what it registers as the set temperature shutting the furnace down before […]Read More about Thermostat Placement Is Crucial
Bath Overflow Loose
All too often the overflow on the bathtub is loose or worse yet loose and the gasket damaged. If the bath is filled up to the overflow and it is loose the water will go down behind the tub which if it’s on the second floor could damage the ceiling. The water can also create […]Read More about Bath Overflow Loose
Bonding Gas Piping
A bonding wire is often mistaken for a ground wire, it does not go to ground but back to the electric panel. When it is connected to black iron *(steel)* piping the paint under the clamp must be removed with a rasp or sandpaper to make a good contact, paint reduces the contact rendering the […]Read More about Bonding Gas Piping
High Efficiency Furnaces In Attic
High efficiency furnaces recognisable by the white PVC flue pipe, installed in an unheated attic is not your best choice of location, it may be the only place to put it which does not change the fact that it is not ideal. Yes, many builders and furnace installers are installing them in the attic without […]Read More about High Efficiency Furnaces In Attic
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 707
Xenia, OH 45385
Address (No walk-ins)
120 West Second Street
Dayton, OH 45402
