Direct-Vent Water Heaters . When it gets hot, it melts and it is flammable. Apply a thick bead of lap-seal caulk around the ⦠Can you enter Acadia National Park at night? Around the pipes under sinks and washing machines. Before you push the insulation back into place, build a metal dam to keep it away from the pipe. The leak appears to be under the roof penetration for the gas tankless water heater. This may come from the atmospheric air in the house, or it can come through a vent pipe that pulls air from the outdoors. It is in no way as big as a hazard as it was decades ago, but exhaust fumes are still bad. Duct tape is not a safe option for repairing damaged exhaust mufflers or exhaust pipes. Non-foil tape can also catch on fire. The first thing youâll want to do is determine where the water heater leak is located:. With a direct-vent system, air for combustion is drawn from a vent pipe that runs through an exterior wall or the roof. (If you spread mastic with your fingers, wear rubber gloves.). Duct tape is generally more expensive than electrical tape. Anyway, here's a picture of the water heater vent pipe. New construction, about 6 months old. In general the vent pipe that comes up from the hood on the water heater should never be reduced. Indeed, it's recommended not to use it as a substitute in electrical wiring applications. And it's not good for you. Sealing duct seams is messy work, so wear old clothes. Code expert Glenn Mathewson describes 10 common water-heater code issues, including confusion about drip pans and drains, unsupported expansion tanks and plastic vents, lack of combustion air, and more. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. It may seem like a straightforward swap, but when you’re dealing with potentially lethal gases, O’Brian cautions, “It’s very bad to have even minor leaks.” In other words, take no chances. If a water heater is set to store water at 140 F to minimize Legionella bacteria growth, the flue gas temperature will be about 160 F when the heater is new. Black Gorilla Tape. The adhesive will burn up, but the aluminum will stay, although it will become brittle by the heat. As O’Brian points out, “A replacement that saves you a lot on your energy bills may be well worth the added installation cost.” In assessing your water heater options, it’s wise to consider the question of ventilation, but when it finally comes time to make a purchase, O’Brian says, “Be sure to weigh both the upfront and ongoing costs.”. We have insulated and sheetrocked the rest of the ceiling. Cut the hole with the jigsaw. Inspect the water heater flue pipe. If you’re shopping for a solar- or electric-powered water heater, or if you live in a warm climate and plan on locating your water heater outdoors, then you don’t have to think about ventilation. Then, finally cover the aluminum tape with a a steel can that you cut open. What is 21st century literature in Philippines? A roof that leaks around a vent pipe is a common cause of small water stains on a ceiling or water leaking into a home. In most of the country, foil tape is not allowed. Gas must continuously run upward toward the chimney entrance to provide proper draft. It's on the cold water pipe which supplies water to the water heater. But if i spill 1/2 gallon of water, on my floor it will leak on 1st floor like rain. In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to create a watertight seal around a vent pipe. Check if there are any droplets of water on top or on the bottom of the water heater tank, or inside the combustion chamber. It seemed kind of like caulk. Fasten the flue pipe and fittings together with sheet-metal screws. Insert the tube into your caulk gun. © AskingLot.com LTD 2020 All Rights Reserved. Wet your finger and tool the bead by gently dragging your finger along its entire length. O’Brian recommends consulting with a contractor even if you plan to upgrade to a water heater that vents no differently than your old unit. Take a second piece of Flex Tape and wrap it around the entire exhaust – including the first patch that you attached. Combined venting with older furnaces was common because enough heat from the furnace vents outside (usually 30% of more of all heat produced).This keeps the vent pipe warm enough for water ⦠Is the leak on the top of the water heater?If so, continue on to the section below labeled âMy water heater is leaking from the topâ Use three screws per joint. I think taking the pressure off of the vent and redoing the pipe may just be the best way. Facebook 0 Tweet 0 Pin 0 LinkedIn 0. trishm1 asks, I recently used spray foam from a can around an exhaust pipe coming from a hot water tank in the opening of my chimney. Foil Tape. When a home’s plumbing system is operating problem-free, homeowners rarely give any thought to the water heater. Around the pipes going to hot water heaters and furnaces. It’s a much different story when this vital appliance malfunctions, interfering with all those essential daily activities that require a ready supply of hot water. As scale builds up and the heater efficiency falls off, the flue gas temperatures can easily increase to over 350 degrees F. Water Heater Venting Basics All water heater venting systems use a vent duct or pipe — also called a chimney or flue — to bring exhaust gases from the water heater to the outdoors. Squeeze the trigger with firm, even pressure as you move the tip around the seam on the furnace flue. Does UC San Diego require all SAT scores? What is internal and external criticism of historical sources? Place furnace tape around the joints to ensure tight seals. A Final Note: Existing vent size size increases backdraft problems if the old furnace is less than 80% efficient, as those furnaces have an even larger vent pipe.. How to Seal Gap Around Water Heater Vent Pipe. I am going to just cut and lower the pipe (with a t-trap). DO NOT use regular duct tape to secure or seal connections. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Use a plumb bob to be sure the center of the tube at the ceiling and the center or the boot on the water heater are lined up. The difference is that a power vent water heater pulls in combustion air from the space around the appliance, then uses a fan to propel the exhaust through the vent. The mastic is spread over duct seams with a disposable paintbrush, putty knife, or your fingers. Caution: Furnace flues (the pipe that removes your furnace exhaust) can be very hot. That is, the average water heater still burns fuel—be it natural gas, oil, or propane—and that fuel burning releases byproducts like carbon monoxide. Water Heater Venting Basics All water heater venting systems use a vent duct or pipe â also called a chimney or flue â to bring exhaust gases from the water heater to the outdoors. Duct tape does not offer the same fire-resistant property that is generally found in electrical tape. Inside the attic. Other tapes, even duct tape, are susceptible to failure under the extreme heat. I took a picture from the top of the ladder to check it out. ! Dryer vents should be sealed with foil tape as they can withstand the high temperatures encountered during machine use. Use the same technique for masonry chimneys. Fill the gap completely. Can I use duct tape instead of foil tape. Now we have the new faucet and pipe and need to know what to put in the gap where the dark gray sealant was. 3M has a high temperature tape rated to 600 degrees. Spray Foam on Gas Water Heater Vent (blackened) I have spray foam around the gas hot water heater pipe that exhausts to the outdoors, I am assuming there would otherwise be a large amount of outdoor air coming around the pipe. “Choosing between powered and non-powered venting can often come down to simply how the house is laid out and where there is room for the venting,” notes O’Brian of Supply House. My water is leaking a different way: porous concrete floor. Foil tape wins over duct tape in many aspects because of its strength. Also asked, can you use foil tape on a water heater vent? How much you’ll wind up paying to heat water on an ongoing basis depends to a great extent on the type of water heater you choose. Likewise, can you duct tape a furnace exhaust? 2. It does not draw properly. First of all, there are many different types of water heaters, and they boast a wide range of energy-efficiency profiles. All my sewage pipes are fine and last year i caulked all joints on them for just in case. Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Use the knife blade to scrape the pipe clean and smooth. Can the flue vent for water heater be taped at the sections? Otherwise, you’ll probably end up paying more than strictly necessary for installation. Virtually all other installations, however, require some sort of exterior venting, but not every venting system functions the same way, and as a result, installation requirements can vary widely. Steps for Fixing a Leaking Rooftop Vent Pipe: Use a pocketknife to scrape rough edges and sharp points from upper end of plastic vent pipe. That said, the joints do need to be reasonably air tight. If you have a hole in your exhaust, you can patch it with Flex Tape. Exhaust gases are vented outdoors through a separate vent duct or through a separate chamber of the same pipe (this requires a double-wall vent duct). These gaps should be sealed with lightweight aluminum flashing and special high-temperature (heat-resistant) caulk. Around the fireplace. If your water heater seems like it’s on its last legs, or if it’s stopped working altogether, there’s every temptation to install a replacement as soon as possible. The vent pipe has to run up hill a minimum of a quarter of an inch per foot. Isnât there an appropriate connector for single wall to double wall pipe? Look to see if the draft hood over the vent hole is centered and if the legs are straight and secured by screws (this may depend on the design of the pipe). If itâs an electric water heater, locate your homeâs electric service panel, and turn off the breaker labeled âHot Water Heaterâ by switching it to the âOffâ position. How to Select the Right Water Heater Size, 5 Signs You Need to Start Filtering Your Home's Water. In the basement and laundry room floor drains. Turn the water heater thermostat back to the appropriate setting. Rushing this decision would be a mistake, though. So MY sewage pipes dont have a hole. 3. This may come from the atmospheric air in the house, or it can come through a vent pipe that pulls air from the outdoors. Thanks for the help ! This is not a pressure pipe, the heated gases rise due to natural buoyancy and tend to draw air in at the joints rather than leaking out. Definitely not on wall furnaces, and I think water heaters also. Phil : and the vent pipe. Synopsis: Installing a tank water heater might seem easy, but homeowners who refinish their basements often create a number of code violations with respect to the water heater. Without proper ventilation of the noxious gases created by combustion, modern water heating would be a dangerous proposition. The leaking may first be seen in the attic, but if you don't catch it right away you may see water coming into the house, dripping on the floor. Re: foil tape on water heater vent pipe; Author: jimmy-o (CA) Around here they generally do not allow the Transite ( asbestos) flue pipe to remain in place. Find the cold-water inlet valve. Both the water heater, and the furnace ... buy the type that dries hard and is rated for flue pipes... then use that to seal around the cone shaped sheet metal piece attached to the roof. It isn't full on "leaking" but there is a drop of water that seems to always be around the rim. But no, foil tape is not supposed to be used to seal. Can I refinance my home for home improvement? Around doors. Click to see full answer. How do you prepare for an infrared sauna? I live in a cold climate, the previous pipe had to be replaced because it was leaking, probably due to improper winterizing. Does every water heater need ventilation? If your current water heater requires venting, and most do, then it’s usually cheapest to go with a replacement unit that vents the same way. Mark: If you are sealing a gas fired water heater flue and are so far away from the heater (presumably on a basement or first floor) as to be at the roof, then sealing a metal flue joint with foil tape ought not cause an issue; I'm not sure why that's needed if you're using a UL-listed B-vent ⦠In the basement or crawl space. Cut away the old caulk from around the vent pipe. Do your research, choose an efficient unit with a capacity that meets your family’s needs, then leave all the rest to your installer. Is behind the wheel required in Illinois? Inject the silicone caulk into the gap between the vent and the side of the house or foundation. There’s also another, subtler reason to take your time: “Choosing a replacement water heater wisely often means avoiding unnecessary installation costs,” according to Daniel O’Brian, a technical specialist with SupplyHouse.com. Run a bead of silicone caulk around the vent pipe opening in the roof. Gorilla tape sticks to smooth, rough and uneven surfaces, including wood, stone, stucco, brick, metal and vinyl. You should have as much vertical rise as possible before there is a turn. Water is leaking from the vent pipe that vents to the roof when it's raining. One may also ask, can I duct tape my exhaust pipe? In the attic, use the plumb bob to mark the center of the hole to be cut for the roof vent boot. Find licensed plumbing experts in your area and get free, no-commitment estimates for your project. Duct tape is made of cotton mesh, covered with a type of plastic called polyethelyne, with a rubber-based adhesive underneath. The connection between the draft hood and the vent pipe should be secured with sheet metal screws â three per connection on a single wall pipe are recommended. By Donna Boyle Schwartz. Image Source: YouTube Embedded Video. When that happens—being forced to take cold showers or clean dinner dishes by hand—you’re probably going to find yourself thinking about the water heater quite a bit! Do NOT turn the water off at this time. But mastic is preferred over foil tape as it can be applied on all surfaces. The horizontal part is in a 10 inch space between joists. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Cut the tip off your high temperature RTV silicone caulk tube with a knife. Donna Boyle Schwartz, The 6 Best Things You Can Do for Your Plumbing, Don't Run Your Boiler Without This One Key Component, All You Need to Know About Indirect Water Heaters, Solved! And if the leak is under the car, parts of it can enter the cabin, creating a bad smell. The wall is made of wood, with a vinyl siding on the outside. Water leaking from your water heater is a bad signâregardless of where the leak is coming from. I am having a leak on the roof repaired so I will just make sure it is nice and caulked from the roof. No—but as much as water heater technology has changed in recent years, combustion water heaters remain the most common. Re: Tape on furnace vent pipe No where is cloth duct tape allowed. Duct joints should always be secured with #8 sheet-metal screws before seams are sealed with mastic. This article has been brought to you by SupplyHouse.com. That’s not to say there’s never any justification for switching to a water heater that vents differently than the old unit. (Some water heaters don't have this valve installed, if this is your situation, you'll need to shut off the water to the entire house). Roof Leaks Around Vent Pipes is Relatively Common. Draft hood and gas water heater vent pipe connections. Luckily, weâre here to help. On top of it, it may create noise, which can also develop further over time. Cut the pipe to the appropriate length with sheet-metal shears. Made with double-thick adhesive, strong reinforced backing, and a tough all-weather shell, this duct tape is great for projects and repairs both indoors and out. Between the floor and wall juncture. What are the names of Santa's 12 reindeers? DO NOT USE aluminum sheet folded around the pipe, it will blow after a few weeks or months, since it becomes so brittle by the heat. What kind of tape do you use on a furnace? unfortunately it's a 2 story house with a moderately steep roof angle (so super scary to go on the roof). The valve is usually a lever or a knob type valve. 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