As a home inspector, it takes something out of the ordinary to provide a "wow" moment. I guess that, from my perspective, those moments often come when I first look in an attic and find that it has had a major fire at some point over the years. This might surprise people, who have not been there and seen this, but much of the time very damaged lumber is not replaced. While I sure do not recommend that, a case in point is below. In this situation, lumber was merely sistered on to it but there was still very charred and damaged material left behind. Once wood is like that, badly burned, it will ignite at a lower temperature than it would have before. In this case, they removed the fireplace so at least the source of the fire was gone. Steven L. Smith Bellingham WA Home Inspections 
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17 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham WA Home Inspector • August 28 2009 10:03AMComments
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Doesn't sistered (why is it not brothered?) lumber onto charred wood result in instability? Or am I interpreting the pictures incorrectly? It look like a lot of the supports are still the old charred ones. Kate
Steven - This seems like a difficult one to overcome. I am sure that any intelligent buyer would want to have that lumber replaced.
Very interesting. I learn something from you all the time! Thanks for this post.
Charred wood is also structurally compromised. It has to be sistered or replaced.
I have seen that from time to time, but I dont' remember one that bad!
Kate waxes chauvanistic! Of course they are sistered - the brothers don't get that close. But, as to charred wood, once you go charred, you don't go back.
This would have been a lawsuit if it wasn't mentioned on the property disclosure!
It definitely has been structurally compromised. It should have been replaced. I personally would not buy a house where it had not been replaced if at all.
Carbonized wood. Just take a stick that has been heated and one that has break both and see which one breaks the easiest. That might be the worst I've ever seen without an attempt to repair.
BTW Kate. I've heard sisters stick together much better than brothers. And who ever heard of brothering a rafter.
Folks,
Have no fear. I was consulted and advised the boss to mention this to the buyer. I thought they really ought to know. Now I am going to go to my Friday night crooning job. I open for my star-studded cousin, Mr. Wheatloaf.
Nutsy
Word on the street is that Wheatloaf's a stud all right... a charred and damaged stud sistered to Nutsy.
Mrs Kat,
I suggest you keep your trap shut about me. Nutsy might be a gentleman. I am not.
Wheatloaf, Acorn Label recording star
shhhhaaaaakkkkking I am so threatened. Kate The Great www.ain'tkategreat.com
Wheat must fancy himself as a gangsta crapper. How scarey can a small rodent be?
Mr James,
Small rats might have something to do with the bubonic plauge, that is why I hate them so.
Nutsy
Steve, that could have been turned into a listing "feature"----comes with a lifetime supply of charcoal----agent will throw in a free grille:)
Breaking news: CDC releases warning squirrels carry bubonic plague. Shoot on site. Generous bounty for carcasses only.
Ms. Kate The Great
www.ain'tkategreat.net