Chimney Exhaust
The chimney is something people very rarely ask about. Its used to vent exhaust gas from your heat source (furnace, boiler, hot water tank, fireplace etc.)
As you can see by the above photo sometimes they need some work.
Brick chimneys are held together with cement mortar which is basically cement without stones or rocks in it. The mortar will normally deteriorate faster than the bricks and will need to be redone when it starts to deteriorate.
It will also have a cap or crown made out of mortar or metal. The cap keeps water from getting into the chimney and causing damage to the bricks etc. If water gets into the bricks they will start to fall apart which can cause structural issues with it and possibly the roof.
Require Maintenance
To a metal chimney rust is the enemy. The exhaust gases coming out are acidic and can cause it to deteriorate or rust over time.
Your inspection report will contain a section on the condition of the chimney. If required you should make any repairs as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the chimney or the interior of the home.
New homes have high efficiency furnace and hot water tanks are usually vented out the side of the home around ground level. They are usually a couple white plastic vents per appliance. One for exhaust and one for combustion air intake
Note: You should inspect your chimney every year or have a professional inspect it. It can be very dangerous to go on a roof. You MUST observe all safety precautions when using ladders or when going on a roof (tie off etc.). Be safe or call a professional.
Learn More
Click here to learn more about the entire home inspection process.
