whats wrong? (says mr homeowner)

tim smith

1st, open vent hood gas water heaters are not allowed in a bedroom and 2nd part, you cannot only have access through a bedroom to a water heater. 2nd, looks to me like the flue pipe is single wall going from water heater through wall to other room and then switches to double wall. You cannot leave a room with single wall and go through a wall to other room. It must go through wall as double wall flue pipe. And last, boy that is ugly!!!

Chris_31

so..... \"Update\"

what do you think?

I refused the job when he didn't want to relocate the heater. he will probably replace the thing himself, of course he will have to get it approved with the building inspector first, as I notified code enforcement about this one.

Chris


ok a small update and a couple more pics...

the water heater is located in an "add-on" bedroom. the water heater was leaking from the tank and was soaking the carpet. the window is from the master bathroom. the flue... well thats another issue. here are some pics of where it goes.

I won't just replace a water heater without first looking at everything. the copper connections were ok, but the flue and location of the unit were the problem. Propane water heaters can not be located in a bedroom or bathroom, even if was existing when the addition was completed. now I also have a problem with the flue, and I wanted to replace the unit with an exterior tankless as there was no where else in the house to install a gas water heater.

the H/O thought my price was just too expensive, and he was going to get another quote. I don't mind that, in fact I encourage it. I will probably end up replacing the unit for him. My price is high for a reason!!

Darin Cook_8

It can be tricky

The only thing that the homeowner knows is that the water heater has been like that for years, "seemingly" working properly, and here you come challenging what has been the ok norm. These are situations where you have to look away from the dollars and do what you feel is the right thing. You are basically trying to help him and protect him and his family from harm. He does not know or appreciate this but you still did the right thing. I know that I would not want to live with killing or hurting someone just to make a couple of bucks.

Darin

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Unknown

I totally agree with you both

many people think we are trying to line our pockets by ensuring safety, thankfully not everyone thinks money is everything!

Dave

D107

list problems

Hi--for the benefit of any homeowners who might have similar setups, could you list the problems in the photo? What I (HO) see is--aside from a sloppy job--a flue that goes through a wall before somewhere later hopefully entering a chimney(?) OR vents directly outside--that can't be legal. And looks like old copper? gas flex lines used for water in and out.

That is one stubborn homeowner you have there. You definitely did a good deed there.

Thanks,

David

Mad Dog_2

More details ...pics

Not exactly sure from picture what's going on there? is it blocking an agress window? Is it venting in to a chimney? Mad Dog

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Gordy

I agree

With Mad Dog. Not knowing what goes on behind the wall with venting. Or is it egress?

Gordy

Bruce M_2

To The Egress

There is a famous story about P.T. Barnum of circus fame. At one point, Barnum noticed that people were lingering too long at his exhibits. He posted signs indicating "This Way to the Egress". Not knowing that "Egress" was another word for "Exit", people followed the signs to what they assumed was a fascinating exhibit...and ended up outside.

Howard Emerson

Just print this old article...........

............and hand it to the homeowner:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE3DC153DF936A15756C0A963958260

I remember very well when Vitas died, and it was totally avoidable. Watching the US Open the past couple of weeks reminded us of what a great player and person he was.

HE

Mad Dog_2

ahhhhh HAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This guy is a bozo if he doesn't have you do the work - Be proud of yourself for pointing it out to him. Don't be surprised if he takes the cheap way out again. In any case, you did the right thing by notifuing the Bldg dept. Mad Dog

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Mitch_6

mess

sure is a mess, I do not know what state you are in but it is not even close to Massachusetts code.

do not know how many times I have had a bad situation with a water heater or boiler.

I try to educate the H.O. but all I get in return is the blank stair and rolling eye balls.

Very frustrating since you want to do it right, they do not want to pay for something that is not sexy like a new car or tv. If you walk away and something happens and you were the last person there they will suddenly have selective memory and sue you for not convincing them it was that dangerous.

Or

They will keep calling people until they hear what they want. This is usually the case with me.

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Phil_17

Another plea for education...

Hi Guys,

I too am just a HO, but would really like to have the education about what the problem is with this water heater. I'm sure that other lurkers would benefit from your explanation of what the problems are, and what the proper steps would be to remedy the situation.

Thanks!

Chris_31

by the way

notice the flue pipe is broken at the elbow...

the single wall flue pipe goes thru the wall, and comes out the other side into the closet with double wall pipe and goes up thru the roof.

the owner told me it is not a bedroom, but the bed gives everything away. maybe it is a spare bedroom for their company.

will be changing it to a tankless on tuesday. I'm gald he finally sees the problem.

Mitch_4

Question about

that added insulation blanket.. Here we cannot do it, or if done it has to be fire rated, and clear the floor 6" as those tanks take secondary air through the bottom.

Is that legal? looks like it is sagging.