Inspected an older home with a floor furnace yesterday. The draft diverter has a small crack on the bottom side. I have seen some that had been rusted through, and I know those would let CO escape, but I’m not sure if a split at the bottom of the box would be a problem, since the entire bottom of the diverter is open anyway. It would be an easy fix, but an easy fix is still a $100 service call. :roll:
Just wanted some other opinions
I do not make decesions I write it up as exactly the way I see it . Do not write it up or make wrong suggestions and you might be paying to fix it .
My Thoughts Roy Cooke
So Roy, you’re saying you would just write up that it’s cracked and leave it at that? I guarantee you would get a call asking if it should be repaired or not, so why not say it in the report?
I was leaning towards saying something along the lines of it not being a problem at present, but could fail at some point, and repair is recommended.
I call them as I see them too, but at some point you have to recommend SOMETHING.
I was just trying to get some other opinions or hoping somebody had seen a diverter cracked like this.
I can’t see it as a huge cause for concern in the location it is at…but I would definately take a closer look at the area above the diverter (right side) that is scorched/discoloured. Maybe a poor fit or some type of gasket failure?
Who said that?
Stating it “as it is” is all you need to do. There is no rule, law, sop that I have read that says that you must “recommend” (at least in my state). Report what you see and the client decides what is “recommended” to the owner/contractor.
You are required to “inspect”.
Your are required to “describe”.
You are required to “report”.
I see no “you must recommend” anywhere.
[quote=jhugenroth]
I call them as I see them too, but at some point you have to recommend SOMETHING.
quote]
So what would you recommend? Sometimes it is better to not say anything than to say the wrong thing.
If you’re intent on recommending, recommend an HVAC technician.
I would recommend further inspection by a Prof. HVAC Contractor 1)split, 2)appears heavily rusted draft diverter, 3) possible asbestos venting, 4) apparent age of floor furnace.
Good Luck!
[quote=jwilliams4]
That was my point, Jae.
So if you see what you think is a defect, you don’t recommend repairs, or further evaluation???
You just put in there “it’s broken, damaged, safety hazard,” etc and that’s it?
If I didn’t put in recommendations for evaluation or repairs on defects or suspected defects I would be fielding a ton of calls asking for further information or clarification.
So using the parameters you described above **inspect, describe, and report. **(Remember, no recommending) a report would look something like this.
Water Heater: Kenmore 40 gal. natural gas serial # xxxxxx
Unit is installed on garage floor.
Vent is single wall pipe through ceiling all the way to roof.
Water temperature measured at 148 degrees.
Heavy rust observed in burner chamber.
There. I inspected, described, and reported.
Somehow though, not **recommending **anything just leaves me a kind of hollow feeling, you know? You keep on doing it whatever way you want, but I think I’ll just keep on recommending.
I agree Joe, but in this case, I don’t see it as an issue that would warrant any recommendation at all. . .
I showed the pic to two A/C guys, and they both said it isn’t an issue NOW, but being on the spot welded corner, they said it could be later on. I always tell buyers to get their units serviced regularly anyway, so it will be OK.
(As far as the recommending goes, I meant in general) 
Personally, I would have deferred the whole unit and its Transite vent, but the damaged diverter wasn’t an issue in my mind. . .
Joe, I absolutely agree with you. By recommending specialist service, you will at least avoid a nuisanmce call, and quite possibly avoid a demand letter from an attorney who could very easily choose to ignore or wiggle around our standards.
Writeup for inspection by heating company. Reasons: draft diverter cracked, rusting and staining under the draft diverter indicating flue gas spillage. Indicating a house depressurization problem or venting problem.