Chimney Information & Safety
How often should chimneys be cleaned?
The national safety standard recommendation is that chimneys, fireplaces and vents should be checked annually. If unused for some time, or if you have just moved into a new house, then they should be checked first. Use a certified chimney sweep who brushes from the top down (not just from the inside). A certified sweep will also put a camera or a mirror down the chimney first to check the condition of the flue liners.
Should my chimney be checked if I use gas?
Yes. Modern furnaces produce cooler flue gases and are more acidic. Vapors tend to linger in the flue liner. The mortar then deteriorates and gas can escape into the house, so it’s important for the chimney and all its components to be kept in good condition. Some furnace manufacturers say the chimney should be lined to prevent this. Also check to be sure the chimney is not being blocked by bird nests or other debris.
What are some tips for keeping chimneys in good condition?
It’s important to use the fireplace as it was originally intended. Wood-burning fireplaces should be kept for burning wood only and not have appliances connected to them. Also, some are not designed to burn wood, but only to vent gas or gas appliances. When using a wood-burning fireplace or stove, do not put wrapping paper in it or items that could damage the flue lining.
What are the most common chimney violations?
Inspectors generally make citations for violations that are visible: a leaning chimney, or chimneys that need tuckpointing or have cracked flues. It’s important to employ a chimney sweep or mason that has experience with chimneys and fireplaces so these systems are kept in good repair.
What kinds of flue lining are best, and do all chimneys need to be lined?
Stainless steel has the most endurance, as acid tends to deteriorate concrete and mortar over time. Chimneys that have outside walls almost always have to be lined, as they are much colder than inside chimneys. The hotter the chimney, the faster the air will rise.
Contractors
How does a contractor become registered in the City of Shaker Heights?
The contractor must provide a Certificate of Insurance naming the City as an additional insured/certificate holder. A registration form must be completed and a $100 fee paid. The registration is good through December of each year. Electricians and plumbers must provide a copy of their state licenses. Plumbers and sewer builders must secure a $5000 bond.
My contractor took my money, but failed to perform the work. What should I do?
Your relationship with the contractor is a contractual one. Violation of the contract should be referred to the Police or to an attorney. While the Building Department will pursue any and all code violations a contractor may commit, contractual violations are beyond the scope of the Department’s jurisdiction. If the work performed by a registered contractor resulted in damage to the property, the Building Department will make the insurance information available to the homeowner or his/her representative.
Insurance
What are the limits of liability for insurance?
$100,000 per person $300,000 per occurrence for bodily injury; $50,000 per occurrence for property damage.
Permits Forms
Are drawings required?
Three sets of drawings are required. All commercial plans need to be stamped by a registered architect. Residential plans must conform to specifications outlined in the Building Code. For specific information, call 216-491-1460.
Can I take out the permit and have a friend do the work?
A homeowner may pull a permit ONLY for work he/she is doing him/herself or if paying a registered contractor to do the work. The City requires that all persons doing permit work in the City be insured. Homeowner's Affidavit for Building Permit
How do I obtain a permit?
The following documents will be helpful: How to Obtain a Permit and Construction Work not Requiring a Building Permit.
How much do permits cost?
The cost of permits varies depending upon the work that is planned. Specific information needs to be provided in order to determine which permit fee is applicable.
What types of projects require permits?
Certain repairs may or may not require permits. Architectural review may be needed and approval granted for some projects that do not require a permit, i.e., front doors, garage doors. Please contact the Building Department, 216-491-1460. Also, see Permits Not Required.
Plans
Do you have the plans for my home?
Many house plans are on microfilm and have been given to the Shaker Heights Library for storage and archiving. Library staff can assist you in locating your plans. Not all Shaker house plans are available. The Building Department files include a complete permit history of each home, as well as the names of the architect and/or builder, and the original construction date and construction costs.
Wet Basements
Are sump pump systems allowed in Shaker Heights?
Yes, although this is not the approach we recommend. It's not water-proofing, it's water management. The way it works is the contractor drills holes in your foundation to allow water in through the wall, where it is directed into a pipe (inside your basement) that leads to a pump that pumps the water back to the storm sewer system. Internal wall boards, usually made of plastic, are typically installed to conceal the pipes. This approach does not eliminate mold, mildew or fungus, which can be associated with health problems. In addition, if there is a power failure, as sometimes accompanies a heavy storm, the pump will not function. If you do invest in a pump system, talk to your supplier about back-up power sources to run the pump in the event the power goes out. You will need a permit to install such a system.
Can I apply waterproofing material to the inside foundation walls to stop water from entering the basement?
There are various interior waterproofing products that may be helpful. They are usually mixtures of paint and cement. However, these products will not adhere to glazed clay tile. If your house was built prior to 1945, your foundation walls are probably made of glazed tile. If your walls are made of cement block, waterproofing products may be helpful.
I don't want to pay for a more expensive, more complicated job than I need. What's the first approach I should take to keeping water out of my basement?
First, have your downspouts checked to see if they all run and do not back up (snaking may be required). It may be that clearing sediment from your downspouts will solve your problems. No permit required.
What if my downspouts are clear and not backing up, but water seems to be coming through the foundation beneath downspouts?
Try disconnecting the downspouts and diverting the water away from the house. (To do so requires a permit, which may be obtained from the Public Works Department.) This may be an appropriate remedy if the problem is localized, like in the corners of your basement, and if the downspout is collapsed or if the storm drain into which it empties is clogged with sediment or roots. Use common sense, though. Water always runs downhill. You may not divert the water onto your neighbor's property, and you don't want to cause pooling or flooding elsewhere on your own property.
What if the problem is not related to surface grading and water is leaking through the foundation?
The preferred method for dealing with damp and leaking basements is to dig around the perimeter of the foundation, all the way down to the footing; apply waterproofing materials—usually a product like Ironite and tar or Thorough-Seal and tar—to the outside of the foundation walls; fill any cracks in the foundation; install new drain tiles, making sure of the proper pitch and connecting them to the storm sewer; and fill in with at least two feet of washed gravel above the new tile. That's waterproofing done right.
What if the water is leaking from several different spots, not just the areas below downspouts?
Sometimes the problem is that your landscaping, driveway or patio is above the grade of the original waterproofing on your foundation. Try lowering the grade around the house to below the original waterproofing line of the foundation and slope the grade away from the house. You will need a permit if this involves ripping out your driveway.
What other City requirements should I know about before I take on a basement waterproofing project?
Only a licensed sewer builder or plumber registered with the City may install waterproofing, new drain tiles or interior sump pump systems.
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