To Vent or Not to Vent – That is the Question

Kington direct vent insert by Hearthstone

By Marge Padgitt


Many homeowners end up asking chimney sweeps to take out their vent-free gas logs due to problems they find associated with the appliance. People have experienced a horrible odor when the logs are in use, water running down the windows and walls, stains and soot on walls, baseboards, and ceilings, mold and mildew issues, unexplained headaches, and being ill while in the house while using the logs. 

When burning gas several by-products of combustion are produced: Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Formaldehyde, and significant quantities of water.

Manufacturer instructions say to use non-venting gas logs four or less hours per day and to operate the logs with a window open.  Since these are listed as heating appliances and most customers purchase the logs as a heating source, this seems impractical in the middle of winter.  The American Gas Association Research Division (AGARD) recommendations for proper usage of a vent-free appliance include that the appliance is not to be used as a sole source of heat or in confined spaces or bedrooms. What happens when there is a power outage?  Homeowners are tempted to use the logs continuously, which can be a fire hazard. 

During the combustion process moisture is created. When a 40,000 BTU vent-free appliance is used to heat it can produce over six gallons of water a day.  If the homeowner notices condensation on windows and walls the vent-free appliance may be the cause.  We call these appliances “Room Vented” for this reason.  The condensation will be absorbed by the drywall, wood flooring & furniture, and may cause structural damage to the home. The excessive moisture may cause mold and mildew which creates problems for people with allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems, or create new health problems. 

The situation is worsened in tightly constructed homes without adequate make-up air to provide air for the appliances, and for people to breathe. This issue is one that the HVAC and chimney industries contend with on a daily basis.  It is estimated that at least 80% of homes need a make-up air source such as a whole-house ventilator. If a problem exists before an appliance is installed, it is only going to get worse. 

Carbon Monoxide is a very real issue.  CO is always produced during combustion, and with room-vented heaters CO is vented into the room at so called “acceptable' levels. Even at low levels not registered with CO detectors, CO can be dangerous to children, pregnant women and their unborn babies, small children, the elderly, animals, birds, and people with upper respiratory conditions.  See Dr. David Penny's website at www.coheadquarters.com for more information about Carbon Monoxide.

Direct Vent Gas Appliances:Most professional chimney sweeps suggest installing a direct-vent type gas log insert or fireplace.  These types of appliances are vented through the wall or up an existing chimney. They are sealed systems which use outside air for combustion, thereby increasing the efficiency of the appliance and eliminating the need for opening windows while the appliance is in use. No by-products of combustion are vented into the room, so toxic gasses and water are vented directly to the outdoors.  Direct-vent, therefore, is a much better choice. 

Vent-Free VS Direct-Vent

Vent-Free VS Direct-Vent	Vent-Free	Direct-Vent
Must operate with window open	Yes	No
Has its own combustion air supply	No	Yes
Is a High-efficiency appliance	Yes	Yes
Gasses vented into the room	Yes	No
Moisture/water vented into the room	Yes	No
Can produce bad smells	Yes	No
Should have an annual service check-up and cleaning	Yes	Yes
Can be used in a masonry chimney	Yes	Yes
Can be used in a manufactured fireplace	No	Yes

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Marge Padgitt is a 30-year industry veteran, CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep and NFI Certified Woodburning Specialist and trainer. She is the president of HearthMasters Education, HearthMasters, Inc. and Padgitt Forensic Investigations in Kansas City, Missouri. Contact her at margepadgitt@comcast.net or chimkc.com or hearthmasters.net.

Masonry Chimneys v Earthquake

By Marge Padgitt

Just after 7:00 a.m. on September 3, 2016 parts of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Arkansas experienced a 5.7 magnitude earthquake which originated in northwest Oklahoma. The cause may be due to the practice of disposing oil and gas field wastewater deep underground. The temblor was similar to one experienced in the same location in November of 2011, although this recent earthquake lasted longer.

In Pawnee County, Oklahoma, the epicenter of the quake, reports damaged masonry structures, and one man was injured when part of a fireplace fell on him as he protected his child. In Kansas City, several reports have already been made by homeowners who noted that their brick chimney is cracked severely.

Masonry chimneys are particularly susceptible to damage by earthquake. Due to the nature of their rigid structure, chimneys are likely to crack while being shaken by a tremblor. Parts that can be damaged are mortar joints inside and out, bricks, stones, blockwork, flue liners, fireplaces, smoke chambers, and interior facial walls.

Photo by Brian Sherrod, United States Geological Survey - United States Geological Survey Multimedia Gallery, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39847217

As a matter of precaution, we suggest that homeowners inspect their chimney immediately after an earthquake, both inside and out, then call a professional chimney sweep to do a more thorough inspection with a chimney camera system and a keen eye trained to find things homeowners may miss.

Tips:

• Look for obvious fresh clean breaks in the mortar, bricks or stone on the exterior chimney and foundation
• See if there are any pieces of masonry lying on the ground or on the roof.
• Check the facial wall inside the house above and around the fireplace opening and note any fresh breaks
• Examine the brick firebox (fireplace) and look for fresh cracks
• Take photos of your findings and note the date and time
• Have a professional chimney sweep examine the interior smoke chamber and flue liner for any fireplaces or the flue liner for the utility flue, and the entire exterior chimney after an earthquake

While the most severe damage will occur near the epicenter of an earthquake, chimneys in any location that experience shaking should be inspected, even if there is no visible exterior damage. The interior flue liner may be damaged with no indication of this on the exterior chimney chase.

Chimneys on commercial buildings, churches, and schools should be examined thoroughly by a professional immediately after an earthquake.

A damaged chimney can be a danger to occupants or passersby. If damaged badly enough a facial wall or chimney may partially or completely fall down. Cracks in the flue or smoke chamber can allow deadly Carbon Monoxide to enter the interior of the house or building. CO is odorless, tasteless, and silent.  CO alarms do not alert occupants if the air being checked is less than 9 ppm (parts per million), and it is known that low levels of Carbon Monoxide can cause long term irreversible brain damage. Visit www.coheadquarters.com for more information on Carbon Monoxide.

To find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep in your area visit www.csia.org or www.mcsc-net.org. In Kansas City visit www.chimkc.com.

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Marge Padgitt is a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, NFI Certified Woodburning Specialist, and is a 30-year industry veteran. She is an author and speaker, and CEO of HearthMasters, Inc. in Kansas City. Contact her at margepadgitt@comcast.net or 816-461-3665.