Is Your Water Heater Backdrafting?
Vložit
- čas přidán 13. 01. 2021
- Follow along as I see if my own water heater is backdrafting. You can use this same method to see if your is. All you need is a lighter or match, and you could honestly get by with just using your hand to feel for the draft.
extremely helpful
Great info. A video for solution or cleaning vents would be great.
Thanks for the feedback.
I'll see what I can do about the video suggestion.
I did not catch it but did you check the draft with the dryer on and all house exhaust fans (Bath/Kitchen). Yes it may not backdraft with them all off but it could be with them all on. Again not a major issue since most will not all be on same time just throwing out there it could backdraft at certain times.
That's a double wall pipe which is why the outer is larger. Can't have a single wall (HOT) pipe in the walls of the house.
You forgot to check whether you have a sufficient seal where the narrow pipe feeds into the larger one. (I have the same “feature” even though my water heater and high efficiency furnace are original 2010 models, so the furnace never connected to that large metal pipe.)
100% this.
The lighter test proves little beyond that point.
I’d be willing to bet if you turn on all of your bath, and kitchen fans, cloths driers, etc. along with a fire place, it would back draft. Especially with that oversize flue. That is how you are supposed to check for draft.
While I hear what you're saying, that situation never occurs in my house. But yes, if you were affecting the airflow in your house that much, you may create a back draft. Thanks for pointing that out. 👍
what about testing the gaps?? they could just be double flue.
inspector?
I suggest using tissue (TP or facial) to perform that check, it’s much nicer on the fingers to not hold a flame for a few seconds.
Didn't have issue with co but with heat damaging stuff
This has been an issue for me since I moved into this house. The exhaust is tied in with the furnace flue and it ONLY backdrafts if the water heater turns on while the air conditioning is running. If the heat is running my guess is the inducer motor helps suck it the flue because it does not backdraft. If the water heater is running FIRST and the air conditioning kicks on, it works fine and does not backdraft. Only when the AC is on first and then the water heater kicks on does it backdraft. I've had a hvac guy tell me he couldn't explain why it would be doing that and also a water heater installer puzzled by this. I'm sick of having to turn the AC off before I can shower. Any tips are appreciated.
I don't know how much help I'll be, but when the AC comes on, it changes the pressurization of the home. So, it sounds like the exhaust for the water heater needs help.
I'm guessing the people you mentioned already checked things like ensuring the water heater exhaust goes straight up 12" before turning and continuing to elevate at an appropriate rate. And ensuring the vent pipe extends far enough above the roof line.
My only suggestions (not being there) would be checking for proper sealing throughout the home, not just duct work, but windows, attic access, etc. And possibly installing a fan in the exhaust flue. But, as a home inspector, unfortunately, the ultimate answer is to have it be further evaluated by a qualified professional. Good luck.
@wilderhomeinspections1626 I am still working on it. My new water heater installed less than a week ago does the same thing. The exhaust does not go straight up 12" before it's tied in with the furnace flue... that is interesting. I've never heard that before. It does go well above the roof outside though. This house has a crawl space, no basement and I did have the vents under there sealed when I had it concreted over but the backdraft was happening before that anyway. The house is sealed pretty tight. The windows are newer and good quality windows. I'm not sure what could be done about the non straight up venting of the water heater. It's angled slightly but nothing like some almost horizontal venting I've seen. Thanks for your reply
I have yet to see any video that shows these guys actually FIXING a backdraft issue. Sometimes water heaters kick on for a short cycle, and the water heater exhaust isn't enough to warm the flue vent, which has much cooler air in it.
Home Inspectors don’t fix stuff. They identify and report the faults to their clients with recommendations on who to call for professional repair.
My hot water heater, and venting has similar problems. The vent pipe adapter is not level and the 4" vent pipe (ascending at a much shallower angle than yours), tees into my 6" galvanized boiler exhaust, and then into an 8" double wall pipe which goes out the roof. Like your system, there is a gap where the smaller pipe fits into the larger. I'm getting fumes in the house, especially when the hot water heater turns on, and the boiler is NOT burning. My suspicion is there is not enough draft to get the water heater gasses to the roof. So my question is this... What can I fill that gap with? I don't want to run all new pipes. There are no available heating contractors in my area. One more piece of information..A few years ago I had a new roof put on. The guy insisted on cutting a ridge vent. (Previously we only had gable vents.) The attic is much colder and my gas bill much higher. I know that 8" double wall pipe passes through the very cold attic. Could that be the cause of the reduced draft? Do you think insulating the double wall pipe would increase the draft?
Unfortunately, there are too many variables for me to properly answer in this kind of forum. For instance, your exhaust pipe at the roof may be too short, as one example. Your best bet may be to contact a licensed HVAC company and ask for them to evaluate it. Sorry I wasn't able to help. Good luck
@@wilderhomeinspections1626 The pipe was long enough for 52 years. The only thing that changed was the addition of the ridge vent. There are no qualified HVAC contractors in the area.
@@PanamaSticks It's definitely interesting that the only thing that has changed is the addition of a ridge vent. That would lead me to believe it's related as well. I know this isn't immediate help, but if you notice the draft improve with warmer weather, then I think you're on to something. I'm sorry that I cannot properly answer your question for you. Good luck
Nowadays they have special heat tape that can help seal those openings
The whole thing is now oversize, as it used to serve the furnace too. It all needs to be re run. Not patched up with tape.
@@rodgraff1782 patch it up with the tape and eat pizza 🍕 and beer, rootbeer.
Dirt trap in the gas pipe?
If you're asking if there is a trap, there is. It's on the main line before it branches off to the furnace and water heater. However, it would be better if the shutoff where above the trap, to make it easier to clean.
Get rid of that self pierceing valve. Then get rid of your plumber for using one!🙃
They took the easy way out
You know that is b vent pipe and regular flu pipe and that’s why there different check Home Depot they have both 😂