old heater exhaust vent open in the attic

Originally Posted By: psiposs
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Have a house with a 6 foot double wall vent exhaust vent pipe in the attic, but the bottom stops about a foot above the floor. There is NO heater etc to connect it to. The pipe penetrates the roof and exist fortnuately to a vented cap, not just open hole.


Aside from bugs and drafting, is there a problem here? The insulation below it wasn’t espiecally dusty or showing signs of damp but is this an issue just being open?


whats the name of the type of cap?


http://lexam.net/carnut/misc/exhaustvent1.jpg


http://lexam.net/carnut/misc/exhaustvent2.jpg


http://lexam.net/carnut/misc/exhaustvent3.jpg


Originally Posted By: jpope
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Originally Posted By: psiposs
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Its a steep roof anyway so I don’t know if I’d want to walk it even if dry. I used my 16 foot pole with Camera on top to take other photos. With me holding it up I get about 22 feet or so high and can get close ups of things quite well. My own design not spectroscope.


Snow is welcome. I love the stuff!


Originally Posted By: jhugenroth
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psiposs wrote:
whats the name of the type of cap?


It's a typical "b" vent cap. As long as the cap is in place, there wouldn't be any reason to worry.


Originally Posted By: psiposs
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and “B” stands for what?


Originally Posted By: lkage
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psiposs wrote:
and "B" stands for what?


...the "class" of chimney.

Typically class B chimneys are used for gas appliances and are double walled and need 1' to combustibles.

Class A chimneys are designed to withstand a 2100 degree chimney fire for 10 minutes (In Canada I think 30 minutes is required) and are typically insulated (although triple wall is used too) and need 2" clearance to cumbustibles. Different brands have different abilities to recover after a chimney fire. Expansion and contraction is better than buckling under heat.

Lots of info on chimneys out there. I'm sure others will chime in.


Originally Posted By: dvalley
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CHIMNEY INFO



David Valley


MAB Member


Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections
http://www.masscertified.com

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."

Originally Posted By: dandersen
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I had one of these in my inspection today.


The water heater was changed out from gas to electric and the flu abandoned. The realtor asked what that was all about. I replied, the price of natural gas!

I've been finding new construction with electric water heater's where natural gas is present. I question the client. His reply was that his builder said electric is cheaper now ![icon_question.gif](upload://t2zemjDOQRADd4xSC3xOot86t0m.gif) ![icon_question.gif](upload://t2zemjDOQRADd4xSC3xOot86t0m.gif) ![icon_question.gif](upload://t2zemjDOQRADd4xSC3xOot86t0m.gif) ![icon_question.gif](upload://t2zemjDOQRADd4xSC3xOot86t0m.gif)

Okay!


Originally Posted By: phinsperger
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Electric water heaters have a much slower recovery than gas ones. So if you use a whirlpool type bath tub or have a large family an electric water heater probably is not going to fit the bill.


Originally Posted By: dvalley
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Paul is absolutely correct.


If your changing from gas to electric w/h...Good luck on the recovery rate.

I'll stick with the expensive gas. I want continuous hot water.

My clients will be aware of this situation in all cases.


--
David Valley
MAB Member

Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections
http://www.masscertified.com

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."