|
|
A Guide to Chimney chimney Cleanout Doors
|
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
Chimney cleanout doors & openings: this article describes chimney cleanout access doors or ports. We explain that in addition to using the chimney cleanout as a service port to remove debris that has fallen to the bottom of a masonry chimney, the cleanout door and the type of debris found inside can tell us something about the condition of the chimney flue even though we cannot see most of it. Also see How to Inspect a Barometric Damper for another spot where it may be possible to inspect for clues about the condition of a chimney and its safety.
These articles on chimneys and chimney safety provide detailed suggestions describing how to perform a thorough visual inspection of chimneys for safety and other defects. Chimney inspection methods and chimney repair methods are also discussed.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
Chimney Flue View by Cleanout Door
 Where you can find a chimney cleanout or can remove a flue vent
connector to look into a flue, use of a mirror inside the flue to view the flue from
below.
This is by no means a thorough and accurate view of all of the
chimney flue interior. But if the chimney was constructed as a straight flue
up through the building roof, you should see daylight - otherwise the flue
has become blocked, perhaps with nesting animals or collapsing debris.
Our photo (left) will provide an easy view into this section of the chimney flue. But even before opening the chimney cleanout door we can see that there has been a history of leaks inside of the chimney flue.
|
Masonry Fragments and Debris at the Chimney Cleanout May Indicate an Unsafe Chimney
 Masonry Flues & Clay Tile Lined Flues: If you open a chimney cleanout-door or pull the flue vent connector
from a dead end chimney flue, in either case you are looking at the very bottom of the chimney
flue. If you are inspecting a masonry chimney, be alert for discovery of masonry fragments when
inspecting or cleaning the bottom of the flue.
If a piece of brick, masonry block, concrete,
or clay flue tile liner is pulled out of your chimney, ask "where do you suppose this came from?" If the masonry scrap fell during construction of the chimney it may mean nothing.
But if it
fell because the chimney has been damaged, perhaps by water, frost, or during cleaning, then
you probably have an unsafe chimney flue - more investigation is in order, promptly.
Certainly if
you believe that the masonry scrap found at the bottom of a flue fell during original construction,
and if you remove it during cleaning, you should never find another piece in the flue bottom.
If you do, the flue has been damaged anew and it is unsafe
Our photo shows normal chimney creosote and debris at the bottom of a flue. When removing this material be alert for surprises such as fragments of clay flue tile liner. |
Chimney Cleanout Door Inspection & Hazards
Chimney Cleanouts Required
All chimneys must have a cleanout at least 12" below the lowest appliance
inlet opening. A fireplace is considered as access for cleaning. Cleanouts must
have metal or pre cast concrete doors that can be secured tightly
In the photo at above left, the chimney cleanout is easy to find and the door is in place and closed; look inside for clues of flue damage and also for the presence of a flue liner if this is a single-brick wythe flue.
In the photo at above right the home made cleanout door was a metal scrap propped against the chimney. It has fallen open, and we see some masonry debris that has fallen down the flue.
Chimney cleanout door left open
We found this chimney cleanout door ajar. Failure to close the chimney cleanout door can result in a fire and will certainly interfere with good draft in the flue.
This chimney cleanout access port served a common ash dump below both a fireplace flue and a separate heating appliance chimney flue. |
Water leaks through the chimney cleanout port
We found this chimney cleanout pouring water into the building basement during a heavy rainstorm.
See CHIMNEY CAP & CROWN for chimney top sources of water leakage.
But in the case of the water leak shown our photo most likely the water source is from roof spillage onto the ground or surface runoff on the ground around the chimney base. |
A combination of in-slope grade around the chimney base and leaks into the chimney can be detected by noticing water or creosote leak stains around the chimney cleanout opening even if you don't have the good luck to catch water in the act of entering the building.
Our photo at left illustrates this condition - brown rust and creosote stains below the cleanout access opening. This chimney and its rain cap and cap seal need further inspection as may the flue itself.
Watch out: water damage to a chimney flue may leave the chimney unsafe. |
Using a one-gallon plastic bottle as a means of sealing off a chimney cleanout opening (photo at left, Poughkeepsie, NY) is nothing less than stupid.
The fire hazard is greater below a fireplace where burning embers may fall into the cleanout pit, but this expedient is not recommended in any case.
Do not use a combustible material in the construction of chimneys or flues. |
Chimney Cleanout Door Must be Accessible
|
If the chimney cleanout access door is blocked such as by an installed appliance (a water heater in our photo at left) how is someone going to access the flue for inspection or cleanout?
Wait a minute? What's that sitting on the horizontal surface at the top of our photo? Has an abandoned chimney been partly removed? It is possible that this is an offset access into a common ash pit.
In some constructions multiple chimney flues may terminate in a single large ash pit with one or more individual cleanout doors. We suspect that this is an improper design, making regulation of draft among the chimneys difficult, since any individual flue that begins to draw may pull air down and into itself from a neighbor. |
Home made chimney cleanout door closures
If the chimney cleanout door is closed using a permanently-mounted component such as shown in our photo you've got a clue that work was not done by a professional.
This closure may be fireproof (really?) and it may stop a draft problem, but it violates the readily-accessible and operable chimney cleanout door requirement. |
Even a factory-built insulated metal chimney needs to include a cleanout access port.
Here, shown during installation, you can see that this metal chimney includes a removable cleanout door at the bottom of the tee used to turn from horizontal to vertical in the chimney run.
This photo of a metal chimney cleanout port was taken during construction - the required drywall (and an access cover through the drywall if the chimney is enclosed) were not yet installed.
Watch out: opening a cleanout at the bottom of a vertical chimney run like this can spill a horrible mess of ash and debris - be prepared, or better, if the horizontal run to the tee is short, vacuum and clean the chimney first through the horizontal chimney run. - Photo courtesy Galow Homes.
|
Missing Chimney Cleanout Door & Other Chimney Cleanout Opening Hazards
Openings at the chimney base around the cleanout door
In this photo (left) the chimney cleanout is easy to find but isn't that door
missing? No not in the first photo at left of this pair of photographs of chimney cleanout doors.
But look carefully at the second photo. Even though
a cleanout door is installed, masonry has fallen out above the door, giving an opening
right into the flue. A missing chimney cleanout door or any other
hole in the flue means that there is a fire safety
hazard (sparks or ashes falling out onto the basement floor) and also
that it is impossible to control the draft in the flue.
Watch out: Where the hole in a chimney
is lower than or below the flue vent connector joining the heating appliance
to the flue, there is also a serious problem with draft control as well as the risk of sparks or embers falling out of the flue into the interior of the building where they may cause a fire.
Where you can find a chimney cleanout or can remove a flue vent
connector to look into a flue, use of a mirror inside the flue to view the flue from
below. This is by no means a thorough and accurate view of all of the
chimney flue interior. But if the chimney was constructed as a straight flue
up through the building roof, you should see daylight - otherwise the flue
has become blocked, perhaps with nesting animals or collapsing debris. |
 We have found heating
boilers with draft problems and "repair attempts" like removing the
boiler's barometric damper, when all the while the root problem of bad
chimney draft was that the cleanout door was open or missing.
Watch out: Our photo (left) shows a chimney thimble blocked by falling debris.
If you find this much trash at the bottom of your chimney or at any other chimney opening, you need an expert to evaluate the chimney condition and safety as soon as possible. The chunks of masonry debris make it likely that the chimney in our photo at left is in very poor condition and is unsafe.
Also see How to Inspect a Barometric Damper for another spot where it may be possible to inspect for clues about the condition of a chimney and its safety. |
...
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
...
Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia
Use the search box below to ask a question or to search the InspectApedia.com website.
Ask a Question or Enter Search Terms in the InspectApedia search box just below.
Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Mr. Cramer serves on the ASHI Home Inspection Standards. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
- John Cranor is an ASHI member and a home inspector (The House Whisperer) is located in Glen Allen, VA 23060. He is also a contributor to InspectApedia.com in several technical areas such as plumbing and appliances (dryer vents). Contact Mr. Cranor at 804-747-7747 or by Email: johncranor@verizon.net
 Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
- Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
- Thanks to Luke Barnes for suggesting that we add text regarding the hazards of shared chimney flues. USMA - Sept. 2008.
- Eric Galow, Galow Homes, Lagrangeville, NY. Mr. Galow can be reached by email: ericgalow@gmail.com or by telephone: 914-474-6613. Mr. Galow specializes in residential construction including both new homes and repairs, renovations, and additions.
- Arlene Puentes, an ASHI member and a licensed home inspector in Kingston, NY, and has served on ASHI national committees as well as HVASHI Chapter President. Ms. Puentes can be contacted at ap@octoberhome.com
- Roger Hankey is principal of Hankey and Brown home inspectors, Eden Prairie, MN, technical review by Roger Hankey, prior chairman, Standards Committee, American Society of Home Inspectors - ASHI. 952 829-0044 - hankeyandbrown.com
- NFPA 211 - Standards for Chimneys & Fireplaces, NFPA 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, 2006 Edition (older editions and standards are found at the same bookstore)
- NFPA #211-3.1 1988 -
Specific to chimneys, fireplaces, vents and solid fuel burning appliances.
- NFPA # 54-7.1 1992 -
Specific to venting of equipment with fan-assisted combustion systems.
- GAMA -
Gas Appliance Manufacturers' Association has prepared venting tables for
Category I draft hood equipped central furnaces as well as fan-assisted
combustion system central furnaces.
- National Fuel Gas Code, an American National Standard, 4th ed. 1988 (newer edition is available) Secretariats, American Gas Association (AGA), 1515 Wilson Blvd., Arlington VA22209, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Batterymarch Park, Quincy MA 02269. ANSI Z223.1-1988 - NFPA 54-1988. WARNING: be sure to check clearances and other safety guidelines in the latest edition of these standards.
- Fire Inspector Guidebook, A Correlation of Fire Safety Requirements Contained in the 1987 BOCA National Codes, (newer edition available), Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA), Country Club HIlls, IL 60478 312-799-2300 4th ed. Note: this document is reissued every four years. Be sure to obtain the latest edition.
- Uniform Mechanical Code - UMC 1991, Sec 913 (a.) Masonry Chimneys,
refers to Chapters 23, 29, and 37 of the Building Code.
- New York 1984 Uniform Fire
Prevention and Building Code, Article 10, Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Requirements
- New York 1979 Uniform Fire Prevention & Building Code, The "requirement" for 8" of solid masonry OR for use of a
flue liner was listed in the One and Two Family Dwelling Code for New
York, in 1979, in Chapter 9, Chimneys and Fireplaces, New York 1979
Building and Fire Prevention Code:
- "Top Ten Chimney (and related) Problems Encountered by One Chimney Sweep," Hudson Valley ASHI education seminar, 3 January 2000, contributed by Bob Hansen, ASHI
- Chimney Inspection Checklist, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, Ontario
- "Rooftop View Turns to Darkness," Martine Costello, Josh Kovner, New Haven Register, 12 May 1992 p. 11: Catherine Murphy was sunning on a building roof when a chimney collapsed; she fell into and was trapped inside the chimney until rescued by emergency workers.
- "Chimneys and Vents," Mark J. Reinmiller, P.E., ASHI Technical Journal, Vol. 1 No. 2 July 1991 p. 34-38.
- "Chimney Inspection Procedures & Codes," Donald V. Cohen was to be published in the first volume of the 1994 ASHI Technical Journal by D. Friedman, then editor/publisher of that publication. The production of the ASHI Technical Journal and future editions was cancelled by ASHI President Patrick Porzio. Some of the content of Mr. Cohen's original submission has been included in this more complete chimney inspection article: InspectAPedia.com/chimneys/chimneys.htm. Copies of earlier editions of the ASHI Technical Journal are available from ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
- Natural Gas Weekly Update: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/ngw/ngupdate.asp Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government
- US Energy Administration: Electrical Energy Costs http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelelectric.html
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
|
- Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- Fireplace & Chimney Design, Repair Books - Fireplaces, Chimneys: design, repair
- Fireplace & Chimney Inspection Books - Inspecting and diagnosing chimney problems, fireplace problems, chimney & fireplace standards
- Ceramic Roofware, Hans Van Lemmen, Shire Library, 2008, ISBN-13: 978-0747805694 - Brick chimneys, chimney-pots and roof and ridge tiles have been a feature of the roofs of a wide range of buildings since the late Middle Ages. In the first instance this ceramic roofware was functional - to make the roof weatherproof and to provide an outlet for smoke - but it could also be very decorative.
The practical and ornamental aspects of ceramic roofware can still be seen throughout Britain, particularly on buildings of the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Not only do these often have ornate chimneys and roof tiles but they may also feature ornamental sculptures or highly decorative gable ends. This book charts the history of ceramic roofware from the Middle Ages to the present day, highlighting both practical and decorative applications, and giving information about manufacturers and on the styles and techniques of production and decoration.
Hans van Lemmen is an established author on the history of tiles and has lectured on the subject in Britain and elsewhere. He is founder member and presently publications editor of the British Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society. Available at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
- Chimney Inspection Checklist, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, Ontario
- Chimney & Stack Inspection Guidelines, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2003 - These guidelines address the inspection of chimneys and stacks. Each guideline assists owners in determining what level of inspection is appropriate to a particular chimney and provides common criteria so that all parties involved have a clear understanding of the scope of the inspection and the end product required. Each chimney or stack is a unique structure, subject to both aggressive operating and natural environments, and degradation over time. Such degradation may be managed via a prudent inspection program followed by maintenance work on any equipment or structure determined to be in need of attention. Sample inspection report specifications, sample field inspection data forms, and an example of a developed plan of a concrete chimney are included in the guidelines. This book provides a valuable guidance tool for chimney and stack inspections and also offers a set of references for these particular inspections.
- Fireplaces, a Practical Design Guide, Jane Gitlin
- Fireplaces, Friend or Foe, Robert D. Mayo
- NFPA 211 - Standards for Chimneys & Fireplaces, NFPA 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, 2006 Edition (older editions and standards are found at the same bookstore)
- NFPA 211 - Standards for Chimneys & Fireplaces, NFPA 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, 2006 Edition (older editions and standards are found at the same bookstore)
- Principles of Home Inspection: Chimneys & Wood Heating (Principles of Home Inspection), Carson Dunlop
- NFPA 211 - 3-1.10 - Relining guide for chimneys
- NFPA 211 - 3-2 - Construction of Masonry Chimneys
- NFPA 211 - 3-3 - Termination Height for chimneys
- NFPA 211 - 3-4 - Clearance from Combustible Material
- NFPA 54 - 7-1 - Venting of Equipment into chimneys
- Brick Institute of America - Flashing Chimneys
Brick Institute of America - Proper Chimney Crowns
Brick Institute of America - Moisture Resistance of Brick
- American Gas Association - New Vent Sizing Tables
- Chimney Safety Institute of America - Chimney Fires: Causes, Effects, Evaluation
- National Chimney Sweep Guild - Yellow Pages of Suppliers
- ...
|
