diverter tee hw heaters

[Deleted User]

question about diverter tee's on hw heater smoke pipe run.. is a diverter tee used on the flue run to prevent against a backdraft coming back into the heater and knocking out the pilot? if so, if the chimney becomes clogged wouldnt the gases from the heater divert out of the tee into the room? this would pose a problem wouldnt it? help me if i have the right idea..

Glenn Harrison_2

Mike, a quick terminology lesson

Just so you know, a diverter tee normally refers to a plumbing fitting used on hydronic heating systems to divert the hot water into radiators. What I believe you are talking about is a draft hood, whether it be on the top of the water heater, or in the flue pipe run. Yes the original design of a draft hood is to prevent downdrafts from blowing out pilots. You are also right that if the chimney does become plugged, the fumes will spill out of the draft hood. The key things are to have an approved cap on the chimney to keep the animals and debris out of the chimney. Have the chimney inspected by a professional to make sure it is not ready to collapse. You can also have a professional water heater professional install a spill switch on the draft hood of the water heater. This would be connected thru the thermocouple circuit using an adapter