Here is a chimney flue that has the secondary drain line rubbing up against it. Guess the A/C tech didn’t read that little sticker right there that says it needs 2″ of clearance. PVC is combustible and so is all that insulation. Paying attention to your surroundings will save you a trip and your client from a potential pricy water leak. 

Flue clearnaces from combustibles

When it comes to inspecting a home, inspectors see a lot of things that will make you scratch your head and wonder what people were thinking and the answer usually is; they weren’t thinking at all. Now I know this is Texas and we don’t use the fireplace that often and I also know this is the secondary drain line that isn’t full of water unless the primary is backed up. But at the end of the day, this could be a problem. Say the homeowner runs the fireplace long enough to melt the PVC and create a hole and then the primary drain line clogs up and the secondary is needed, now you got a leak in the attic which could run down the interior wall and it may take you days or months to see it. Little things can become a giant pain in the butt and cost you some good money. This also is considered a fire hazard, which at the end of the day is more important than the leak. All flues that are rated for heat need to have at 2 inches of clearance from combustibles.