Defect of the Week

Twice in the past week, furnace flue pipes were found to be venting into the attics. This is a very serious problem as it can lead to structural problems for the house and can be deadly for the occupants. And what's more, it's a problem you would be unaware of when you buy your new house because you're not going to stick your head into the attic and check the flue pipe. That's why you hire me.

Whether the furnace flue pipe is installed improperly or has simply become disconnected for some reason, furnace exhaust gases that collect in an attic can cause mold problems, lead to wood rot, and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning if they backdraft into the living areas of the house. The furnace should be vented to the outside where the gases and the moisture dissipate harmlessly. Frequently, when a roof is being replaced, the flue pipe is lifted up by the roofers. This can cause the vent pipe sections to disconnect if they weren't properly screwed together and that creates a leak for the gases to escape into the attic. Other times, as in the past week, improper remodeling work might vent the gases just into the attic in order to save time, money and effort. Regardless, it's a fatal flaw that I always check for during an inspection. And, since it's the Defect of the Week, you see that it is a fairly common occurrence.

Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Call or E-mail today to schedule your Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.