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Heat exchanger appears cracked holed rustedHeat exchanger appears cracked holed rusted The flame inside fossil fuel warm-air heaters is contained inside a compartment that is specially shaped to maximize heating of its surfaces but not allow any combustion by-products to escape into the living area of the building. This is accomplished by designing the compartment to be air tight in its upper portion (the bottom is open to allow combustion air to enter) except for an opening for an exhaust vent to be installed, that leads to the outside of the building, and designed so that the flame heat contacts as much of the inside of the compartment as possible to increase efficiency. The outside surface of the compartment is in direct contact with the air we breath in a heated building. This compartment within the heater is known as a heat exchanger. If the heat exchanger develops a crack or a hole (usually caused by fatigue from expansion/contraction or a rust out) it may allow some combustion gasses into the living quarters of the building. Usually cracked heat exchangers are replaced if possible. Few, if any, can be repaired. The inspector will enter this item if he or she sees any indication of a crack. Sometimes what appears to be a crack will be an aberration in the sheet metal but the inspector has no way of assuring this without disassembly of the unit. Since the inspector is not allowed to disassemble the unit it is recommended that you have the fuel supplier (i.e. The gas company) or a heating contractor review the unit. Excessively rusted exchangers evidence themselves by exhibiting considerable rust atop and around the burners of the heater. The inspector Should note any excessive rust. Often the rust comes from the exhaust flue and vent and the exchanger will not be affected. Often this is caused by a missing cap on the vent that allows rain water to enter the system and cause rust. Often when an improperly vented clothes dryer is in the same room as a forced air heater we find excessive rust. The extra moisture from the dryer enters the exchanger and quickly causes rust. Cracked or holed heat exchangers may have to be replaced. New heat exchangers for older units may not be available. If not, the entire heating unit may have to be replaced. Boilers or steam heating device rust atop or around burner in or around draft diverter: Wall floor furnace Unvented fuel burning appliance Pilot safety shut-off Vent draft hood rusted damaged separated What is a draft hood Evaporative cooler rusted, evaporative cooler damaged, evaporative cooler problems, evaporative cooler repair
File last updated September 08, 2010 * Copyright © 2010 All rights reserved by: Accurate Inspections, Inc. A New Jersey home inspection firm 56 Woodland Drive, Woodland Park (formely West Paterson) NJ 07424 973-812-5100 providing New Jersey Certified Home Inspections in NJ, by New Jersey Licensed home inspectors. Inspector of record Michael Del Greco, New Jersey Home Inspector License GI 0121.
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