Residential Real EstateChimney Damage Endangers Seattle Quake Area Residents
Almost half the $6.5 million in disaster aid for residents affected by
the Seattle area 6.8 earthquake has gone to repair, replace or remove
some 1,665 damaged or destroyed residential chimneys.
The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency last week said 50 percent
of the homes inspected by FEMA sustained chimney damage in the
Nisqually Earthquake, with most of the damage found in King, Pierce and
Thurston counties.
Approximately $3 million has been distributed to homeowners for chimney
repairs, and FEMA is warning home owners about the risk of damaged
chimneys and the importance of hiring qualified professionals to repair
or replace them.
Meanwhile, FEMA expanded the quake
disaster area, doubling the number of counties due for assistance,
which likely means more chimney damage will be uncovered.
"FEMA is providing funds for essential repairs for one damaged chimney
per residence," said Bill Lokey, federal coordinating officer for the
earthquake recovery operations. "Funds may be made available from FEMA
for work on additional chimneys that pose a safety hazard."
The inherent rigidity of chimneys, masonry walls and larger masonry
structures -- such as homes in the New Madrid Fault region in the Middle
South -- makes them more susceptible to seismic-related damage because
they don"t "give" or move with seismic motion as does most of a
well-built wood frame home.
"Unreinforced masonry (brick, concrete, etc) is where most damage
occurs and that"s what they found in Seattle. Wood frame homes are much
less susceptible to the effects of damage and shaking," said Greg Rufe,
president of operations at JCP Geologists, in Fremont, CA.
Among the first images of damage from the Seattle area quake were
crumbling masonry structures including the Washington state capitol
building.
Safety officials are concerned home owners may not take the proper precautions to
have their chimneys and fireplaces inspected and repaired or replaced as
warranted before firing them up.
"In the aftermath of past earthquakes, there have been disastrous
results for homeowners who used their fireplaces before having their
chimneys inspected for safety hazards," said Washington State"s
emergency coordinating officer Diane Offord.
"Homes have caught fire and fumes have escaped into the living area.
Everyone should take the danger seriously," she said.
Cracked flues in masonry and metal chimneys may permit toxic gases to
escape into the house and heat to escape outside of the fire box and
ignite flammables. Vents on appliances that burn natural gas, such as
fireplaces, water heaters, furnaces and stoves are subject to the same
hazards and should be inspected at the same time.
"Normally, fireplaces that are regularly used should be inspected
annually as part of a routine building maintenance," said Seattle Fire
Marshall James Fosse. "This earthquake heightens the importance chimneys
play in keeping a building safe."
After chimneys are inspected, homeowners must obtain a building permit
before beginning repairs. Washington state law requires permits for
chimney work, considered structural construction, but some counties are
waiving permit fees for chimneys damaged in the earthquake. For more
information about required permits and safety inspections, home owners
should contact their local building department.
Strengthening, repairing or replacing masonry structures requires the
expertise of a mason or other like-wise experienced contractor familiar
with masonry and masonry
strengthening materials.
"Chimney"s can be rebuilt as reinforced chimneys, plywood panels can be
nailed above the ceiling in the attic or under the roof to prevent
masonry from falling into the house," said Fremont, CA geologist Leslie
Ransbottom.
Washington state officials warned home owners not to let the
frustration of delays in finding good help lead them to hire unqualified
contractors or begin repairs before they have an inspection.
"Improperly repaired chimneys could allow carbon monoxide fumes to leak
through to living areas, threatening safety and health," said State
Coordinating Officer Diane Offord. "Even chimneys without visible damage
can contain cracks in the flue or vent."
Homeowners should also retain any inspection and repair documentation
of the project to show future buyers. You may have to disclose the work
later to buyers and an expert job could help increase the value of your
home.
The U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA) also may provide long-term, low interest loans
for chimney-related repair costs not covered by FEMA. Disaster loans
from SBA are the primary source of funds for repairing earthquake damage
to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.
Chimney damage and other disaster related damage also could be tax
deductible, to the extent that earthquake
insurance, grants or other forms of compensation don"t cover the
cost of damage and destruction to your property and its contents.
Full coverage of the March 1, Nisqually Earthquake, home owner
resources and related information is available on the FEMA Web site.
Internal Revenue
Service Forms & Publications. Use IRS Form/Instructions 4684
""Casualties and Thefts"" to calculate casualty losses. IRS Publication
584, "Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook" offers additional
details for calculating your loss.
IRS
Disaster Area Losses Discussion Web page.
For live IRS assistance in the Seattle area call (206) 220-6037 or
(800) 829-1040 elsewhere. Also see IRS assistant
services.
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