Should this Pipe be Aligned to be More on Top of the Hole?

espionage

Hi all,

I have a hot water heater that has the top of a pipe lined up like this against the tank.



Is this normal or okay as-is, or should that pipe be more aligned to the hole at the bottom so that the steam goes right up into the pipe?

Thank you for your help!

EdTheHeaterMan

Yes it should be aligned Differently, No it is not OK
There is a piece missing. It is called the draft hood

The draft hood is the black part between the blue top of the water heater and the silver vent pipe.

Steamhead

Whoever left it like that should not be in the business. That's a carbon monoxide event waiting to happen. Shut it down NOW.

There is a piece that sits on top of the heater called a "draft hood" and the smoke pipe connects to that. If you can't find it on site, order one from the manufacturer and have a pro hook everything up.

Intplm.

NO !!! It is not all right at all!
The vent pipe is disconnected from the water heater and is venting exhaust into the building. This can get folks sick and even killed.
The vent pipe needs to be installed and secured to the water heater and draft hood that is missing from the picture.
Do not run the water heater until this is corrected.

EdTheHeaterMan

What you are calling a "steam vent" is not a steam vent. It is an exhaust vent. Just like the exhaust vent on a car with a gasoline engine. That exhaust vent may be allowing dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide into your home. If you don't want to shut off that water heater... then don't go to sleep in that home.

I would pick a warm home over hot water in the cold months of winter. So turn off the gas to the water heater.

Unless the heater that is keeping the home warm is vented the same way, Then I would see if Tom Bodett left the light on for you

pecmsg

Shut it Off

yellowdog

Look on the floor for the draft hood. When the snow slid off the roof and moved the vent pipe it probably flipped it off onto the floor.

ChrisJ

yellowdog said:

Look on the floor for the draft hood. When the snow slid off the roof and moved the vent pipe it probably flipped it off onto the floor.

Doesn't look like there's enough vertical clearance for a drafthood to fit.

yellowdog

That pipe slides up and down thru the roof flange. Nothing secures it except the storm collar above the roof flange(silicone, if they even did it). The drafthood only takes up about 3" of height on a natural draft water heater. Based on what the installation as a whole looks like, the installer probably threw the draft regulator away when he put the water heater in.

pecmsg

espionage said:

Hi all,

I have a hot water heater that has the top of a pipe lined up like this against the tank.



Is this normal or okay as-is, or should that pipe be more aligned to the hole at the bottom so that the steam goes right up into the pipe?

Thank you for your help!

Whats with the Red Burries on top?

yellowdog

@pecmsg Look to the left of where it goes thru the roof. You can see some pitch hanging down. More than likely, the hotter temps under the roof are releasing pitch from the lumber.

ChrisJ

pecmsg said:

espionage said:

Hi all,

I have a hot water heater that has the top of a pipe lined up like this against the tank.



Is this normal or okay as-is, or should that pipe be more aligned to the hole at the bottom so that the steam goes right up into the pipe?

Thank you for your help!

Whats with the Red Burries on top?

Rodents.

Intplm.

Red berries? Looks like pomegranate.

@espionage That pipe will need to be secured more then the average installation.
If snow moved it as I and @yellowdog suspect, this needs to be corrected and installed much more securely then normal or it will happen again.

I would call a professional.

hot_rod

If it is getting some snow shear it needs to be braced and maybe a cricket around the vent above the roof to divert snow.