- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
OT plumbers, contractors, and men who use tool belts. Water heater vent question
Posted on 12/18/15 at 9:25 am
Posted on 12/18/15 at 9:25 am
We have an older home (mid 80s). Water heater is in attic. Putting Christmas crap in attic and removing some I notice the pipe from the exhaust vent has fallen. Basically venting air into our attic. I am typing this so we are not dead which is a plus.
My questions....
How dangerous is this? I know CO is being vented from heater, but the pipe is still open to the outside? Meaning the middle section of this pipes span has fallen. There is still a hole for gas to escape as well as our attic ventilation (soffit setup).
Reason IMO this is not a DIY job is that I am not a DIY guy and this pipe portion sits above the portion of our ceiling that is vaulted. If I our my dad were to fall it's about 16' to the floor through ceiling. Every contractor who has been in my attic laughs or curses about the layout. And these are people that know what they are doing.
It needs to be fixed but how quickly? Our CO detectors are not going off and as I have mentioned, we are alive so "we are venting"(Apollo 13).
How pricey of a job is this? Houston/Katy area?
Thanks in advance.
My questions....
How dangerous is this? I know CO is being vented from heater, but the pipe is still open to the outside? Meaning the middle section of this pipes span has fallen. There is still a hole for gas to escape as well as our attic ventilation (soffit setup).
Reason IMO this is not a DIY job is that I am not a DIY guy and this pipe portion sits above the portion of our ceiling that is vaulted. If I our my dad were to fall it's about 16' to the floor through ceiling. Every contractor who has been in my attic laughs or curses about the layout. And these are people that know what they are doing.
It needs to be fixed but how quickly? Our CO detectors are not going off and as I have mentioned, we are alive so "we are venting"(Apollo 13).
How pricey of a job is this? Houston/Katy area?
Thanks in advance.
9
Posted on 12/18/15 at 9:32 am to LSU alum wannabe
That's a relatively cheap fix. Get a plumber to do a quick house call. Can't imagine it being more than $200ish. I just had one vented through the roof with shingle repair. It was about $275
Posted on 12/18/15 at 9:34 am to LSU alum wannabe
I wouldn't mess with CO. I'd get it fixed ASAP, and close the gas valve and turn off the water heater in the meantime.
Not a plumber, just my .02.
Not a plumber, just my .02.
Posted on 12/18/15 at 9:43 am to whit
quote:
I just had one vented through the roof with shingle repair. It was about $275
Already have the vent through the roof and from the heater. It's just the middle piece. Don't know if that makes it much cheaper. But I do want it done right and not jacked up. So that's what my Dave Ramsey snowball plan emergency fund is there for.
Posted on 12/18/15 at 9:43 am to LSU alum wannabe
The moisture is going to be a far bigger threat than the CO. You are getting primed for a mold explosion due to condensation. JMHO
Posted on 12/18/15 at 9:44 am to NYNolaguy1
quote:
I wouldn't mess with CO. I'd get it fixed ASAP, and close the gas valve and turn off the water heater in the meantime.
Posted on 12/18/15 at 9:50 am to VetteGuy
Ok. Thanks for replies. I'm not that cheap. It has to be fixed, and will, but will CO not rise? There is nothing above my attic. It is not a 1/2 attic either with a room that is lateral to the attic?
Young guys out there heed these threads. If you have a nice apartment that you enjoy, stay in it.
This is what every old dude who says with a sarcastic chuckle, "Livin' the dream" is talking about.
Young guys out there heed these threads. If you have a nice apartment that you enjoy, stay in it.
This is what every old dude who says with a sarcastic chuckle, "Livin' the dream" is talking about.
Posted on 12/18/15 at 10:00 am to LSU alum wannabe
I would be willing to bet you can repair it in less than 5 min. Lively the pipe was just knocked out of place by you/someone moving something around. It most likely will just snap back together, should just be very thin wall galvanized tin tubing.
Unless there is some issue present your heater should not be producing CO, the vent is a precaution.
Think of all the gas heaters in homes without vents.
Unless there is some issue present your heater should not be producing CO, the vent is a precaution.
Think of all the gas heaters in homes without vents.
Posted on 12/18/15 at 10:04 am to LSU alum wannabe
quote:
but will CO not rise
Again a proper flame does not create CO, other wise every single person with a space heater or vent free gas logs would be dead.
You need to fix this yes,but it is not an emergency though and you can do it yourself easily.
Posted on 12/18/15 at 10:08 am to LSU alum wannabe
quote:
Meaning the middle section of this pipes span has fallen. There is still a hole for gas to escape as well as our attic ventilation
Just put it back up and duct tape it. it's just venting.
I've seen in older homes that use a "natural" venting system where it's open about 3-6 inches above the water heater and naturally rises to the vent pipe.
quote:
How pricey of a job is this? Houston/Katy area?
Give me $250 and I'll be there in 20 minutes.
Posted on 12/18/15 at 10:09 am to cave canem
Cool. Thanks.
Other than water not being hot, how would I know if my gas were not burning properly? Smell of gas? Meaning NG. I know CO has no odor.
Other than water not being hot, how would I know if my gas were not burning properly? Smell of gas? Meaning NG. I know CO has no odor.
Posted on 12/18/15 at 10:12 am to LSU alum wannabe
This is an easy DIY project. All u need to do is get the flue piping from Lowes/Homedepot, or hit one of the local plumbing supply houses (coburns/LCR, ect). Some self tapping sheetmetal screws, and duct sealeat for the seams and screw taps
Or if you really dont want to DIY, call a local sheetmetal shop. Cheaper then a plumber, and their craft anyways
Or if you really dont want to DIY, call a local sheetmetal shop. Cheaper then a plumber, and their craft anyways
Posted on 12/18/15 at 10:15 am to LSU alum wannabe
See below for better info
This post was edited on 12/18/15 at 10:19 am
Posted on 12/18/15 at 10:17 am to VetteGuy
So how does CO compare with air? It is 3% lighter. So it distributes very easily through a house.
But when CO is produced, it immediately begins mixing, and therefore diluting, with the air around it. Therefore, it mixes with nitrogen, which doesn't burn, oxygen, which is burned creating the CO, H2O (humidity) and CO2 which are in the air. So the CO produced is not in pure form in the air. It is very diluted. And as CO is produced, it is warmer than the air around it.
But when CO is produced, it immediately begins mixing, and therefore diluting, with the air around it. Therefore, it mixes with nitrogen, which doesn't burn, oxygen, which is burned creating the CO, H2O (humidity) and CO2 which are in the air. So the CO produced is not in pure form in the air. It is very diluted. And as CO is produced, it is warmer than the air around it.
Posted on 12/18/15 at 10:27 am to LSU alum wannabe
A plumber or local HVAC company should have materials on hand. 10 min fix and you can attach it with 1/4" screws so it doesn't come apart again.
Posted on 12/18/15 at 10:32 am to LSU alum wannabe
Not quite what you are asking but you say you have a house from the 80's. How old is your water heater? I live in the spring area and our house is 20 years old, single story, 3 br 2 ba with the water heater in the attic. I just replaced it (40 gal natural gas) and it cost $925. there was no problem, I felt it was time to replace it while I could afford to do that.
You may want to check your water heater's age. Imagine all the fun you will have replacing a ceiling due to a water leak and discovering just how good/bad your homeowners insurance is
You may want to check your water heater's age. Imagine all the fun you will have replacing a ceiling due to a water leak and discovering just how good/bad your homeowners insurance is
Posted on 12/18/15 at 10:35 am to LSU alum wannabe
Easy fix. I can do the job but...
Posted on 12/18/15 at 5:00 pm to LSU alum wannabe
quote:
how would I know if my gas were not burning properly
The color of the flame is the immediate tip off.
Rather than a lot of explaining in a thread, go with this as a guide LINK
Posted on 12/18/15 at 5:57 pm to LSU alum wannabe
Honestly if it's an option, getting the water heater out of the attic and relocated elsewhere would be a good idea.
Lots can go wrong with that in the attic, none of it is good, and just about all of it is damn expensive.
Lots can go wrong with that in the attic, none of it is good, and just about all of it is damn expensive.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News