Condensation on ceiling near water heater.

EkS

Just noticed that there's condensation on the ceiling and part of the wall near a water heater that's inside the house in the laundry room. I believe it's coming from the water heater because I can see some condensation going up the wall from the water heater closet.

The weird thing about this is that there is NO condensation inside the water heater closet or on the water heater itself. I notice it after taking a shower, so the water heater turns on.

My question is how can I verify that the water heater is the problem? If that's the problem why is it happening and how can I fix it?

steveel

check to make sure the flue is neither broken nor blocked; when natural gas burns a large part of the gas turns to water vapor; it will condense as it cools

EkS

Thank for the tip, I'll do that. But why won't there be any condensation inside the water heater closet?

steveel

This is just a guess, but maybe lost heat from the water heater keeps the closet temp above dewpoint. All other things being equal, just one degree temp difference can determine whether condensation happens or not.

BTW, suggest you don't delay checking the flue. The gases also contain deadly odorless carbon monoxide.

EkS

Got it on checking the flue, doing that today. Speaking of carbon monoxide buying a detector too!

Any other possibilities/guesses?

EkS

Well bought a carbon monoxide detector.

So I got on the roof and checked out the flue. First thing I noticed is that the cap is for a 4 inch pipe and the pipe I have is 3 inch. So the cap was actually blocking the flow of air. As a temp. fix I just duct taped the cap on right, and I actually could fell the hot air escaping. So we'll see if this works tomorrow morning.