Dripping sound (roofing, fireplace, installation, living room)
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My husband and I built a house last year in Katy, TX. We have a gas fireplace with a chute on the roof. The house is two story and our bedroom shares a wall with the living room which is also the same wall the fireplace sits on. A few days ago it rained really hard and I was woken up by a very loud dripping noise (almost like an echo). It wasn't constant...every few seconds or so. It has rained before and since and we've never heard this noise before. The chute was closed and there was no water in the fireplace...what could this be???
My husband and I built a house last year in Katy, TX. We have a gas fireplace with a chute on the roof. The house is two story and our bedroom shares a wall with the living room which is also the same wall the fireplace sits on. A few days ago it rained really hard and I was woken up by a very loud dripping noise (almost like an echo). It wasn't constant...every few seconds or so. It has rained before and since and we've never heard this noise before. The chute was closed and there was no water in the fireplace...what could this be???
I am expecting that you mean to say there is no water in the "visible" firebox area? If so, does the firebox opening have a "surround" (faceplate) around it that can be easily removed? The dripping might be from rainwater making it inside the chase and pinging on the metal flue and/or the unit itself. If you can remove the surround and look back there you might see the water.
At this point though what I would say, if it is water, that you have a leak that requires repair. It is very possible that the rain penetrated the chimney rain hood where it should not. It is also possible that there is a flashing issue around the chimney chase. Did you have the home inspected prior to possession? Did the Inspector mention any roof issues or potential issues with the chimney chase? Have you passed your one year warranty mark yet? If not then it might be worthwhile to have a Professional Inspector perform a full inspection with notice that you are having issues there. I would select an Inspector who is also properly trained in Infrared Thermal Imaging in case that is needed to help locate the leak, if one exists.
If you choose not to have the home inspected then I would at least have a professional roofer review your roof, its flashings and look for signs in the attic for water penetration as well.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
Is this a pre-fab f/pl?
If so, there are a few possibilities-
The firebox itself is sheetmetal- makes a great noise when a water drop hits it. The leak itself is probably one of three things- a roof leaf where the roof and chimney meet. The pan on top of the chimney- they usually caulk around the flue pipe where it meets the pan. Or the spark arrestor is damaged or missing.
I am expecting that you mean to say there is no water in the "visible" firebox area? If so, does the firebox opening have a "surround" (faceplate) around it that can be easily removed? The dripping might be from rainwater making it inside the chase and pinging on the metal flue and/or the unit itself. If you can remove the surround and look back there you might see the water.
At this point though what I would say, if it is water, that you have a leak that requires repair. It is very possible that the rain penetrated the chimney rain hood where it should not. It is also possible that there is a flashing issue around the chimney chase. Did you have the home inspected prior to possession? Did the Inspector mention any roof issues or potential issues with the chimney chase? Have you passed your one year warranty mark yet? If not then it might be worthwhile to have a Professional Inspector perform a full inspection with notice that you are having issues there. I would select an Inspector who is also properly trained in Infrared Thermal Imaging in case that is needed to help locate the leak, if one exists.
If you choose not to have the home inspected then I would at least have a professional roofer review your roof, its flashings and look for signs in the attic for water penetration as well.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
Omg...all of this is really going over my head! We had the home inspected twice...at the pre-sheet rock stage and at completion...there were no issues. Yes there is no water in the visible fire box area...IDK exactly how to remove the "surround" (I'm lost). The home is still under 1 year warranty.
Omg...all of this is really going over my head! We had the home inspected twice...at the pre-sheet rock stage and at completion...there were no issues. Yes there is no water in the visible fire box area...IDK exactly how to remove the "surround" (I'm lost). The home is still under 1 year warranty.
Here is a good video from GAF roof products that will demonstrate proper flashing techniques on roofs, with emphasis around chimney chases. GAF ELK VIDEO: Flashings (http://www.gaf.com/training/ROOFING-VIDEOS/flashings-english.html - broken link). Pictures are great but a video really helps understand. You can find additional roofing information on GAF's site as well as more informative videos at GAF Materials Corp - Residential and Commercial Roofing (http://www.gaf.com/General/GafMain.asp?WS=GAF&Silo=CONT&App=ROOF&Uid=&Force=. ./../../../training/default.asp%3fWS=GAF%26Silo=CONT%26App=TRAI%26Uid= - broken link).
As for viewing behind the firebox you might have a covering around the face of the firebox that is removable and allows access beyond the face. Check your owners manual for the fireplace unit for a description of the fireplace, its installation, etc. If you do not have the owners manual look on the front of the firebox (sometimes on an inside edge) and there should be an I.D. plate that provides the manufacturer, model, serial number, etc. If you can provide that information I can possibly find a source for your manual.
I've seen on the news that parts of Texas have had some unusual weather. Is it possible you are getting condensation from colder than normal weather reacting with metal fireplace vent?
Here is a good video from GAF roof products that will demonstrate proper flashing techniques on roofs, with emphasis around chimney chases. GAF ELK VIDEO: Flashings (http://www.gaf.com/training/ROOFING-VIDEOS/flashings-english.html - broken link). Pictures are great but a video really helps understand. You can find additional roofing information on GAF's site as well as more informative videos at GAF Materials Corp - Residential and Commercial Roofing (http://www.gaf.com/General/GafMain.asp?WS=GAF&Silo=CONT&App=ROOF&Uid=&Force=. ./../../../training/default.asp%3fWS=GAF%26Silo=CONT%26App=TRAI%26Uid= - broken link).
As for viewing behind the firebox you might have a covering around the face of the firebox that is removable and allows access beyond the face. Check your owners manual for the fireplace unit for a description of the fireplace, its installation, etc. If you do not have the owners manual look on the front of the firebox (sometimes on an inside edge) and there should be an I.D. plate that provides the manufacturer, model, serial number, etc. If you can provide that information I can possibly find a source for your manual.
Thanks for all of your help. I have managed to locate my manual but it does not mention anything about the surround/face plate being removable. I have tried to figure this out with no avail. My model number is EL36.
Thanks for all of your help. I have managed to locate my manual but it does not mention anything about the surround/face plate being removable. I have tried to figure this out with no avail. My model number is EL36.
Can you provide the manufacturer's name for your unit? The only EL36 I could find is a wood burning unit, with a gas starter, by Heatilator.
From your description they appear to have built framed fireplace opening to fit that particular unit's size. The decorative surround normally is in place to cover the open space between the unit and its framed opening. If you are still hearing that sound from the fireplace area I would recommend replacing the decorative shroud and speaking with the builder since you say the home is less than a year old. At this point the unit might have to be partially disconnected/disassembled to remove it from the framed opening for further inspection. You have a gas line connected to it and I would not be trying anything further.
Just out of curiosity, do you have an optional outside air kit installed (see page 23 of the link above)? Is it possible you are hearing water dripping from above and striking it? Has the dripping sound stopped yet? If so when was the last rain?
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We had the home inspected twice...at the pre-sheet rock stage and at completion...there were no issues. Yes there is no water in the visible fire box area...IDK exactly how to remove the "surround" (I'm lost). The home is still under 1 year warranty.
