Home Inspector Tip: These Fire Hazards Are Too Hot to Handle

I don’t know if you’ve heard anyone mention it lately, but it’s really hot out there. LOL, as if anyone has anything else to talk about.

But in this extra-hot summer, in the midst of a drought, it’s particularly important to note that fires are bad. When it’s this hot and dry, fire catches and spreads much faster and easier. So this week, we thought we’d take a look at some fire hazards around the house.

DIY Flame Thrower

Here we have the main gas supply line from the city going into the house that supplies your water heater, stove, etc. Where you see what looks like a water hose spigot, there’s supposed to be an emergency shut-off valve that you would use a wrench to turn. But this Darwin Award winner …

Put a hose on there, turn the valve, light it, and you got yourself a flame thrower.

Which would, of course, kill you and everyone around you and probably blow your house and maybe the neighborhood off the planet, so PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS.

Dryer Vent Kindling

Less imminently dangerous, but much more common is the clogged dryer vent. Many of you have this at your home right now. You righteously clean the lint from the lint tray inside your dryer, but you never think about that other dryer vent. Go find it, and clean it. Your dryer will thank you.  And all that incredibly dry material, just waiting for a stray spark, will no longer be sitting there putting your home in danger (and shortening the life of your dryer).

Fireproof Garage Access Door

According to code, the door leading from your house into the garage has to be fire-rated, so if you have an older home, you may need to replace your door. As of last year, your garage access door is also required to be self-closing. The rules are so that if a fire starts in the garage, it is less likely to spread to the main house. So this cute little pet door in the garage access door is gonna be a no-no. 

Corroded Gas Line

If you remember all the stories about Atmos having to replace old gas lines because of leaks causing homes to explode, you’ll know what’s wrong with these pictures. This is a gas supply line that has corrosion in places, and when the inspector used his gas meter, it lit up like a Christmas tree. That means it’s leaking gas, which means a stray spark, or a lit match — say from an outdoor grill — and kaboom. 

This summer, please use your head and be safe when it comes to fire. Have a fire plan in your home. Make sure you have working fire extinguishers in multiple locations. Check your smoke detectors and your carbon monoxide detectors. If your home uses natural gas, go find your gas supply line and make sure it looks clean and uncorroded.