Melted Grommets on a Gas Water Heater?

Deadly gases might be entering your home!

Exhaust from a gas water heater is supposed to flow through the vent pipe and to the exterior of the home. However, if the exhaust gas “backdrafts”, deadly carbon monoxide may be going into the home. A sign of backdrafting is melted plastic grommets on top of the water heater, which is caused by the hot exhaust.

Some causes of backdrafting include an improperly installed vent pipe. However, during high winds, even a properly installed vent might backdraft. Therefore, a carbon monoxide detector should always be installed in any home with gas appliances. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on every level, by sleeping areas, and within 5’ to 20’ for any gas appliance (water heaters, furnaces, fireplaces).

To test for backdrafting, close all the windows and doors and turn on all the bath and kitchen fans. This will create a worst-case scenario for backdrafting. Turn on a hot water faucet and then light an incense stick. The incense smoke should be pulled up the vent pipe. (Water heater vents should slope upward at least 1/4 in. per foot.) Any home with an attached garage, fireplace or gas appliances should have carbon monoxide alarms.

Consider Hiring Busy Bea Home Inspection LLC for a "Home Maintenance Inspection" !

As time passes, parts of a home will wear out, break down, deteriorate, leak, or simply stop working. EVen the most vigilant homeowner can, from time to time, miss small problems or forget about performing some routine home repairs and seasonal maintenance. I can help you with maintaining your home. Consider hiring Busy Bea Home Inspection LLC to perform a "Home Maintenance Inspection". I will evaluate all of the major systems in your home, including plumbing, heating, electrical, HVAC, and structural. I will help you keep your home in good condition and prevent it from suffering serious, long-term and expensive damage from minor issues that should be addressed.

now. Let's keep your home in great shape together! Don't forget to schedule your "Home Maintenance Inspection" with Busy Bea Home Inspection LLC!

Planning for a cozy warm fireplace in the winter begins when the weather is HOT!

I

Ideally, firewood should be dried or “seasoned” until the moisture content is less than 20%. If the moisture content is higher, it’s difficult to light the fire and also difficult to keep a good fire going. In addition, instead of the tars and creosote being efficiently burned, they end up lining the inside of the flue pipes and chimney, as well as blackening the glass windows in a fireplace insert.

When wood is properly cut and stacked right away, mold has less opportunity to establish itself. Piling unseasoned firewood can allow mold to spread throughout the logs. This mold is released into the home’s environment when firewood is brought inside.

Firewood can be verified to be “seasoned” by several methods:

• Radial checking. Cracks and checks will be visible in the end grains that radiate out from the heartwood to the sapwood. However, these cracks and checks will appear before the wood is completely seasoned, so keep reading!.

• Color. The wood fades and darkens, changing from white or cream to yellow or gray as it dries. Different species have different colors and shades; however, the wood should not look “new” and shiny

• Smell. Smell the exposed, fresh-cut surface of the wood. Seasoned wood should not have a pleasant, sappy aroma or feel damp and cool.

• Loose bark. The bark will slowly begin to separate from the wood and fall away as the wood dries. If the bark is still attached to the wood, peel it back with a sharp knife and check the cambium. If the cambium is green, so is the wood.

• Listen. Bump wo pieces of wood together. Seasoned wood will sound hollow and wet wood will sound dull.

• Lift. Dry wood weighs significantly less than green wood of the same species.

• Burn. Seasoned firewood ignites and burns easily; however, wet wood is tough to light and whistles in the fire.