Draft Question

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Old house. Tall (40') unlined, multi-chambered, brick chimney originally designed for coal burning. Flue unobstructed and in good shape for something 100 years old.

Now all natural gas.

Only thing running in warmer months is the stand-alone water heater.

In some weather conditions, air flows down through the chimney and you can smell the water heat pilot. Cigarette confirms the negative draft but also shows good draft is established about 20 seconds after water heater fires.

Normal? Reasonable? Danger? Another good reason to use an indirect off the Vitodens?

Steamhead

With the phrase-

"Another good reason to use an indirect off the Vitodens?"

I'd say you've come up with a good workable solution. That's what I'd do. Any downdrafting can be dangerous. What if the downdraft doesn't reverse? It only takes one time....

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Ken D.

Chimney

The old coal fire had a much higher stack temperature than the NG combustion. All that heat kept the chimney nice and warm and condensation free. With the lower stack temp. of the gas unit, the chimney gets and stays cooler, resulting in lower draft and downdrafts. The resulting condensation is acidic from the flue gasses and will deteriorate the mortar causing loose and falling bricks or stone and general chimney degradation. I would line the chimney with a stainless steel liner and insulate with vermiculite. Or- Go direct vent or- indirect if the boiler is not using the same chimney.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Must Say I Agree

Even if this has been the norm for at least 60 years.

Just kind of glad that the basement has 5 doors and 6 windows...