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Is my stove pipe installer a bonehead?

Discussion in 'Modern EPA Stoves and Fireplaces' started by Ohio, Jun 23, 2018.

  1. moresnow

    moresnow

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    I've seen better work in temporary hunting shacks! Bad deal. Unless I missed it in the photos you should have a insulation guard also.
     
  2. yooperdave

    yooperdave

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    Yikes!

    I hope you get it taken care of!

    And yeah, get ahold of him and listen to what he has to say about it.....
     
  3. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Late to this, but yes, it should've been boxed in. Is there at least 2" of clearance to combustible material? Also, was any insulation touching the pipe?


    When you have insulation blown in, watch those guys too. Make sure there is some sort of radiation shield to prevent any insulation from being blown into any pass thru area.
     
  4. Ohio

    Ohio

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    I called his personal number today 5 times, he did not pick up. Suprise, surprise. I emailed the his business stating I need to be made whole on this, amicably if at all possible. I called the chimney safety institute of America and will fill out a complaint.( his certifying body) I doubt anything will come to it.

    My uncle is a bonded carpenter and I'll have him fix it and pay him. If I have to take this guy to small claims so be it. I am glad I caught it before my house received irreparable damage.
     
  5. Ohio

    Ohio

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    There was insulation touching the pipe posing a fire hazard. The pipe goes through my bedroom. This guy is a crook.
     
  6. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    To property, but most importantly Life!
    :hair:

    Get it straightened out, let us know...:yes:
     
  7. Chaz

    Chaz

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    Make sure there is a written contract, with current going rate for labor and materials on the repairs. If you and your uncle don't square up "by the contract" that's between you two, but if you want to go after this guy in court, don't shortchange yourself.

    And yes, it is VERY good you caught this when you did, most would not have caught it till there was a huge problem.
    Myself included.
     
  8. WeldrDave

    WeldrDave Military Outpost Moderator

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    Well said Eric!!! Ohio, listen to what everyone here is saying and even though you may not want to, the "BEST" thing you can do is a lawsuit for a simple reason; What if he does this to someone else and their place burns to the ground with someone in it, a child or such... If he is exposed by lawsuit, the building inspectors will be zero'd in on this guy for any work. I'm sorry Ohio but you really need to push this. Your lucky, someone else may not be so lucky!!!
     
  9. Highbeam

    Highbeam

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    Since the cut rafter has Sheetrock and roofing attached to it I am guessing this is a plain rafter and cathedral ceiling. The necessary blocking will create and maintain the 2” space to insulation from the class a pipe. Your repair professional needs to use a handful of joist hangers and will need to remove a bit of drywall to get it all in.

    Be sure that roof ventilation is maintained. In a cathedral ceiling there is a continuous gap from top to bottom along the roof deck.
     
  10. woody5506

    woody5506

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    What a headache, sorry you're going through this. I thought my installer was a tad bit of a bonehead too, but not like this. Why does it seem like such a recurring theme of certified installers doing hack work???
     
  11. savemoney

    savemoney

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    Thanks Dave, I too think that is normally the fix needed. I am glad the home owner looked into the install. If he shows the insurance, they may just hold the homeowner liable to get it fixed and inspected.
     
    Flatlander Pete, Maina, Chaz and 4 others like this.
  12. Ohio

    Ohio

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    The installer replied to my e-mail stating he could inspect and fix it. I am not letting this guy anywhere near my house. Time to send a reply...
     
  13. Chaz

    Chaz

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    I understand that, but if you take him to court, and he has proof that he offered to correct the work, and you refused the offer, he may win.

    I'd run that by a lawyer before deciding.
     
  14. WeldrDave

    WeldrDave Military Outpost Moderator

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    X2!
     
  15. WeldrDave

    WeldrDave Military Outpost Moderator

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    Problem is that he was negligent and knew better when he did it! I would bring in the fire inspector and the building inspector for your area first before responding to him.
     
  16. Ohio

    Ohio

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    Unfortunately in this instance I live in an unincorporated area and the only code is ohio code. There is nobody who enforces code in this area due to a lack of funding. I called the county planner the county engineer and politely explained my situation and they told me there is nothing they can do and nobody to call. My desired outcome is to have a competent 3rd party do the work and have the installer or his insurance pay for the work. The cost will be nominal.

    The installer called this afternoon and said call me back and I'll come out. He is being proactive in covering his own butt after the fact of getting caught performing sub standard, unsafe work. He had his chance to do the job correctly but collected his pay and walked. Chaz is right, he has placed me on bad footing to take him to court if I refuse to have him fix the rafter and I have no doubt he has more experience playing this game than I do.

    This forum is a great resource and everyone here has helped me put what should have happened into focus. His options were
    1) move the stove pipe in between the rafters, they are 16' on center and the pipe would still have adequate clearance and this mess would have been avoided. He could have asked me and one way or the other it would be my choice and I would be ok with that.
    2). He could have let me know that in order for my stove/pipe to be located perfectly centered in the corner of the living room as it is now he would have to cut into my rafter and then sister the adjoining rafters to maintain the integrity of the roof and prevent any insulation from touching the stove pipe. Perhaps this would have cost more for the work or not but if he asked me it would have been my choice and if it cost more I would have paid to have it done once and correctly.

    The installer took the third option and cut through the rafter very sloppily . Covered the bad/unsafe work with the ceiling cover and hoped I would never look and hoped the roof not cave in or the house burn down.

    I might just have to pay for this out of pocket and leave bad reviews and call his certifying agency and chalk it up to a lesson learned. Thank you everyone for the help this forum is great.
     
  17. WeldrDave

    WeldrDave Military Outpost Moderator

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    I do see your pinch Ohio, Keep us posted and I'll be happy to provide "correct" instruction and plans if needed. I still believe If you can speak with a lawyer on this, I would. :) Best of luck, keep us posted. :yes:
     
  18. Chaz

    Chaz

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    Have you talked to your homeowner insurance agent about this?

    I'm generally hesitant to go this way, but since there's no code enforcement to aid you here.

    You may want to contact your agent, have them look at the work done and see if they'll cover required repairs and go after his insurance for reimbursement.

    They may not, but it's one more route, and that would notify his insurer of the low grade work he's performing.

    I'm sure they would either drop his coverage or substantially raise his rates.

    If it were an honest mistake that would be one thing, but he knowingly performed substandard work and lied to your face.

    Theres more than one way to tackle a situation.

    Did he supply insurance provider info before performing the work?
    You could notify them directly as well.

    Just thoughts.
     
  19. Marvin

    Marvin

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    I am 100% with Chaz on this one. It's the fact that he flat out lied to you that would be what would bother me the most. Best of luck and I hope you get this whole thing sorted out Ohio
     
  20. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

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    Get it fixed, keep detailed records of all items and labor used. Pay for it. Then, send him a certified letter of the bill. No threats. See what he does and go from there.