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question on venting water heater (orphaned water heater)

13 years ago

Hi guys,

you guys are the pros and hoping you can hep me with this issue....

had a home inspection done on a house we are looking to buy, turns out owners put a new direct vent furnace in 6 months ago so basically the water heater is only gas appliance venting through original chimney now. There was no liner added either. How do I know if this is ok or not? from what I understand there could be issues b/c the current flu is most likely too big to just vent water heater alone and can cause some negative pressure issues?

Lastly the water heater is 14 years old so I am trying to get owners to replace it with a direct vent model based on it's age as well as how it is currently venteed now.......

owners are saying that it is a functioning water heater with no issues...

any help is greatly appreciated.

regards,

harvey

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Comment (1)

manhattan42
13 years ago
Mechanical Codes require flues or chimney to be resized if appliances are removed and some appliances are left 'orphaned'.

It is likely that your home inspector uncovered a Code violation and unsafe condition because of this 'orphaned' water heater.

The simplest means to correct the problem is usually to replace the water heater with a new one and have that new water heater direct vented or power vented to the exterior.

This should be done at the current owner's expense.

Contact your local mechanical code inspector for details.
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