Plumbing Question - Hot Water Tank + Code Changes

[BigNumbers]

Hey all,

Had a home inspection done and apparently my direct-vent Hot Water (replaced in late 2013) was done using the same black PVC exhaust pipe that the initial HW tank used. But apparently at some point the code had changed and this pipe has to be replaced with white pipe (?). Can anyone give me for details? Ie: how far does this pipe have to go, etc - wondering if any plumbers can shed light on this code change?

Thanks!

[Cyclops]

Originally Posted by BigNumbers

Hey all,

Had a home inspection done and apparently my direct-vent Hot Water (replaced in late 2013) was done using the same black PVC exhaust pipe that the initial HW tank used. But apparently at some point the code had changed and this pipe has to be replaced with white pipe (?). Can anyone give me for details? Ie: how far does this pipe have to go, etc - wondering if any plumbers can shed light on this code change?

Thanks!

Should be plastic pipe called 636. Different glue for it as well. If I remember right you can run 2" pipe up to 25 feet and 3" if it's further. Newer tanks come with all the specs for it.

[Fuzz]

I would look up your HW tank model and find the install manual. It should have the correct specs needed for that tank. A place to start, anyway.

[BigNumbers]

Thanks guys! It's a 5ft run so I'll do as you suggest and pull the specs and redo the pipe. Should be easy. Do I have to go all the way through the wall or just to the fitting in the foundation that leads outside?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by BigNumbers

Thanks guys! It's a 5ft run so I'll do as you suggest and pull the specs and redo the pipe. Should be easy. Do I have to go all the way through the wall or just to the fitting in the foundation that leads outside?

For safety reasons take it outside....the fitting heading outside is likely ABS (the black stuff) and certain glues wont adhere to it properly and you dont want that exhaust being released into your house.

636 is pricey for what it really is, but thats the code now. Remember to get 636 glue though as well as the old ABS stuff doesn't work on venting pipe.

shouldnt cost you more than 30 bucks for a 10' chunk and a can of glue at home depot or where ever ...and if you wanna try and save on that try a plumbing wholesaler like emco or wolsely.

[BigNumbers]

Christ, a 10ft length of S636 is $60 at Home Depot ... Jesus. Ahh well...

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by BigNumbers

Christ, a 10ft length of S636 is $60 at Home Depot ... Jesus. Ahh well...

Seriously?

2" or 3"?

you only need 2" if you have that short 5' run...but if it was 3" in before you will need a couple fittings to reduce it down which should still be substantially cheaper.

[Cyclops]

Big price increase from 2" to 3"pipe. If you are only going 5 feet I think Home Depot sells the 2" pipe in various lengths. You are going to want a fence with a drain hole on it as well (you may already have that on there) to avoid getting condensation flowing back into the burner.

[BigNumbers]

God darn Cdn tire cancelled my order for cheap 3", now I have to go buy the expensive stuff... Thanks again for the disappointment Cdn Tire...

There is a drain barb that's closed on my existing 3" run, at the rubber collar that joins the ABS to the fan on the top of the HW tank... Is that what you mean, cyclops?

[Cyclops]

Originally Posted by BigNumbers

God darn Cdn tire cancelled my order for cheap 3", now I have to go buy the expensive stuff... Thanks again for the disappointment Cdn Tire...

There is a drain barb that's closed on my existing 3" run, at the rubber collar that joins the ABS to the fan on the top of the HW tank... Is that what you mean, cyclops?

Yes, you want to connect a plastic tube of some sort and direct it to a floor drain. It will help extend the life of the hot water tank.