Water Heater Vent Pipe Inspection Failure and Fix

[@davidshettlesworth1442]

Wow! Those are some big No-No's on that vent pipe. Thank you for an excellent video.

[@mayboo9368]

my guy you were so awesome explaining this to me, this really helped my inner understanding, of the vent connector. Im going to be great out here.

[@jamesgreenblat1778]

I don’t know your location but here in San Francisco, California I believe you should have type B from the water heater going to a B vent T. Then the riser B vent above roofline. The T is to prevent condensation and also you have a standing pilot in case there’s a backdraft the pilot won’t go out. With the standing pilot we are required to be 18” above ground level in a garage area. Otherwise you accomplished the task very well. I’m a 3rd generation residential sheet metal craftsman.

[@KenTraining]

this water heater is 18" above ground and yes the jo b should have B vent going through ceiling and roof. I have not changed out yet but I should. I want to learn more about the T you mentioned. Is there a video link on one installed you can share with me?

[@micaht52]

You answered so many questions, thank you! Had a furnace retrofitted and they tried to put negative fall on the vent, theres actually not a way to vent the furance thats code compliant.

[@hughheckler]

Definitely an improvement, I'd keep a co2 detector in that room. Good work overall, just doing what you've got to do!

[@yana-tm1ph]

I just want to thank you for your information, removed the insulation around the vent and the furnace it now shorting at 9 minutes. I assume I need to empty the rest of dirt off the burner, even if has been a couple of weeks since it has been cleaned. The water hose vent was back drafting. Not I need to check my other new furnace why it is short-cyrcling. I have learned so much from your website about vents.

[@j.me.0311]

Looks like you put a bit of time into this video. Thank you!

[@Jose-io4nk]

Thanks so much I didn't know about this books code

[@lifecoachpoul8466]

Your vent pipe looks like it is installed correctly to me. Male at the lower end and female on the upper end. You describe it like it is not that way but the video clearly shows it that way.

[@KenTraining]

a proper install is female on lower end and male on upper end.

[@redsresearch]

how do you air seal and insulate that going thro the ceiling into the attic?

[@fidelsseecoomar3279]

Why did you use the old single wall type c pipe if it's not to code 🤔

[@badmatt4227]

Thanks for sharing the codes.

[@078dragonlady]

Wow.. Well you got plenty of work cut out for you.. Looks like a nightmare for me.. I was thinking of changing my electric water heater to gas.. I may reconsider

[@tygoulding2547]

Keep electric. Way more simple. Easier to fix, and can’t kill you with carbon monoxide

[@akjwHTX]

You the man Ken, never thought of this

[@brianmoore5498]

No ninety right out of the vent hood. Go up vertically with four inch at least 12 inches before using a ninety

[@larrytheplumber9851]

Hood drift

[@lohe]

Great video answered the questions I had.

[@jjtaylor5687]

Get a licensed plumber for gas work

[@edlu6995]

Great help. Thanks a lot. Keep posting.

[@nickgill418]

Hello Ken on your video we need a set of the two plates you have secured around the vent pipe as it leaves the room and up and through the ceiling. What are those plates called so we can try to find them for sale? And how did you attach them to the drywall ceiling? Thanks.

[@KenTraining]

it is a home made fire block, made out of sheet metal. the drywall is cut to provide a 6" gap around the pipe and then the sheet metal extends past that and its just secured to the drywall. If you use type B vent through the ceiling which my house should have but the original installer did not, then you will only need a 1 inch gap around the pipe to the drywall.

[@comk135]

Quick question: the termination height should be less than 5 feet above the gas water heater draft hood--measuring from the top, or the bottom of the draft hood? There're a couple of inches between the top and bottom of the draft hood. Thanks.

[@KenTraining]

my opinion is from the bottom of the draft hood because that is where the draft begins. The top of the draft hood is connected to the vent pipe.

[@normalhuman9260]

Missed it by that 👌 much. Very useful video,thank you.

[@russellstall169]

Ken my vent pipe is running thru a big hole in my ceiling with nothing to seal up the hole around it, what can I do? I’m looking for a product to seal the hole- something like the metal sheet on your ceiling by the heater- what should I look for?

[@KenTraining]

you can make one by buying a sheet of sheet metal and cutting the hole out with tin snips. I don't know if you can buy pre cut.

[@russellstall169]

@@KenTraining easy enough, think I will do just this. Thanks!

[@JBTran-p7j]

Good morning Mr.Ken I would like to ask you a question about the metal vent pipe for the water heater: why does water drip on where two pipes connected. I appreciate

[@KenTraining]

I want to answer you but I don't understand. are your referring to my video or your house?

[@JBTran-p7j]

@@KenTraining about my house, please.

[@KenTraining]

@@JBTran-p7j I need to understand "where the 2 pipes connect" what is that location? I need a better description.

[@JBTran-p7j]

@@KenTraining So from the water heater tank up to 3 feet using an elbow installed, then from the elbow and 5 feet long connecting to 6 feet long (total 30 feet through the outside backyard), so between 5 feet and the pipes connected, water drips/ leaks. Is it possible for me to use anything to seal those two pipes? Thanks

[@KenTraining]

@@JBTran-p7j is the water coming from the flue gases condensing? Can you take an infrared thermometer and note the temperature of the flue pipe upon exit of the water heater and then at the midway point and then at the roof exit. I assume your are running natural gas for the fuel but please confirm this is true.

[@jeremyking6146]

gotta dissagree on the orientation of male/female pipe. it matters alot for wood burning appliances but for gas, the dilution air from the room at the draft collar will cause a Vacuum and the flue gases will find its way out fine.

[@KenTraining]

you are probably right that it does not matter as much. But I do think, as long as you are the installer, why not install the right way...

[@stevehiggins9338]

Epic fail on your part. You didn't replace the single wall vent pipe going through and within 6 inches of combustible materials and through the roof.

[@mts7274]

How do you get the screws in pieces with no pre-drilled holes?

[@KenTraining]

use self tap screws.

[@josephlomeo3435]

Good information.

[@vinnygoombatts1458]

You can get by if you put metal flashing between vent and existing wood, then I would change it later.

[@KenTraining]

That is good practical advice. Thanks

[@vinnygoombatts1458]

@@KenTraining inspector made us do it one time so I can't take the credit if we have PVC venting running too close to the roof they made us do it too how to put flashing inside the roof above the pipe in case they nailed through

[@catranger01]

Call the guy that installed it and tell him you want a refund for shoddy work.

[@jmabs5096]

I hope this wasn't a company that installed this, I would sue if that happened to us

[@KenTraining]

I don't know, I bought the house this way. But I would not have sued anybody anyway.

[@AidanSkoyles]

it is done wrong, but in a vent where there's no lint, this seems like nitpicking. in a dryer vent it might be a different story.

[@rodgraff1782]

Nitpicking? There is not one thing right about it. It’s a fire hazard with single wall too close to combustibles, pipe run backwards, elbow right at draft diverter, and ready to fall off, roof termination not to code, etc, etc, Would you want this in your house?

[@keithkeithkeith9874]

How would you patch a pen size hole on a vent pipe? There's a mesh patch on my furnace vent pipe and I wanted to know what type of patch is it. It looks professionally done.

[@KenTraining]

If its only the size of a pen, you can put a metal button in it. check this out hvac-talk.com/vbb/threads/2198672-Hole-in-my-furnace-exhaust-vent-flue-pipe

[@keithkeithkeith9874]

@@KenTraining Thank you for time. I'm still wondering where I can get this mesh patch for the hvac system pipe for future repairs to prevent from replacing the whole pipe.

[@KenTraining]

@@keithkeithkeith9874 I don't know, I have never seen or applied a mesh patch to a Vent pipe. It would need to withstand 500F or more...

[@douglaslewis4201]

Aking code everywhere. 12" minimum rise off of drafthood.

[@KenTraining]

your right but I did not have the clearance.

[@oldarkie3880]

It looks like you need a powered vent water heater

[@KenTraining]

That is a true statement. I have studied these water heaters and to meet code and leave in the same spot, I should change to powered. Drawback is 1. cost and 2. availability. I was planning on waiting till 100% failure (leaking) and then change out. the powered water heater would take 1 to 2 weeks if I ordered via Home Depot today. Even though I have a code violation water heater installed at this time, this style water heater has been working for over 40 years in this home in this spot...

[@rodgraff1782]

What a cluster F. Single wall thru to the roof. Thee only thing right about this video is your code book. I used to giver those out to my apprentices. Please fix this before you have a fire. It isn’t even close to code, even after your work. It wouldn’t even meet the installation instructions for the water heater. You may have to buy a stubby water heater, and move it, before it can be made safe. Just hire a pro and get it done right.

[@matthewgodwin6688]

Had gas water heater malfunction cause was starved for gas cause heater couldn't keep That damage wires and to point one scorched ceiling

[@KenTraining]

I am glad you were not hurt.

[@matthewgodwin6688]

@@KenTraining yea wish insurance company did give us hazel Want give 800 on 60g bill

[@KenTraining]

@@matthewgodwin6688 Wow, That is not good insurance, what Insurance co. is that?

[@lawnboyfromhell]

But you didn't fix it. the roof transition is still single wall!🤔

[@KenTraining]

Your correct, I did not want to change the roof penetration because the roof is very brittle to walk on. the roof material is not manufactured anymore. It has been working good for 20 years. When I change out the roof some day when it fails, I will correct this.

[@raulrojas1839]

I was under the impression that you can’t have the vent be next to a window die to carbon monoxide poisoning, and if it was it would have to cleared the top of the roof

[@KenTraining]

you are correct, there are window clearance requirements. I was not near a window.

[@njtinman519]

but you are still a fire hazard through the roof you could just put b vent through the existing roof penetration and get rid of your fire hazard

[@KenTraining]

That is a great point, I will have to take a second look at doing just that. Thanks for reminding me.

[@boby115]

Keith, you’re absolutely correct. Single wall vent pipe is not allowed to be in an unconditioned space( attic area in this case). Single wall vent pipe is not allowed to leave your eyesight (It’s quite obvious we can’t see it once it penetrates the ceiling). Ken, hopefully the B vent is installed by now , with all the required clearances.

[@dustinfuentes5746]

Damn dude, hire a plumber. Wtf

[@shanecompton2428]

Move the water heater dude

[@KenTraining]

I hear you, I am not sure where yet... No good options and have full use of garage.

[@bert1913]

Would you eat a carrot for us?

[@gangtian7869]

I hope you get a real licensed certified HVAC technician to check your venting system before someone get carbon monoxide positioning. I can still find quite a lot code violations, seriously please find a licensed gas fitter check it out.

[@whatdaheck9667]

just repaired one that has been venting into the attic for 2 years ,with that being said you seam a bit whiney

[@tluva1020]

sMaSh dAt LikE buTToN 🥴

[@thomasherceg684]

He says its HIS OWN HOUSE , and he is NOT IMMEDIATELY replacing all that OLD crap painted existing horizntal sections . What he cannot afford it ? He at least should have put non combustable material like concrete board between that joist as he shows on the photo . He was in the attic to take the photo . it was accessable. I understand walking on that brittle roof is VERY tricky to replace out that C pipe . Right hire someone , its your OWN house . Maybe , whats his name , from that TV show can go over there , ...

[@ironqqq]

1:47 your vacation is a really HOT one 🔥🌡

[@KenTraining]

yes it was....