[RFWWorker]

I was wondering if anyone had experience with running the PVC pipe for a power vented water heater? Currently I have an electric water heater and I will be doing some first floor renovations to expose the studs in a wall directly above the water heater. I will be replacing the electric water with a natural gas unit. I want to know if I can run the PVC vent pipe inside the wall and have it stub into my attached garage rafters and through the roof?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

RFW

 

[TheEplumber]

Venting for these units specified in their installation/owners manuals. u can find PDF files at their websites. They all have different specs.

 

[Javiles]

I was wondering if anyone had experience with running the PVC pipe for a power vented water heater? Currently I have an electric water heater and I will be doing some first floor renovations to expose the studs in a wall directly above the water heater. I will be replacing the electric water with a natural gas unit. I want to know if I can run the PVC vent pipe inside the wall and have it stub into my attached garage rafters and through the roof?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

RFW

To be specific NO

 

[RFWWorker]

To be specific NO

I'm assuming you're saying "no" to the part where I run the PVC pipe inside the wall. Is there a reason that you can share with me? Will the pipe get too hot even though it is power vented? The water heater would be a high efficient type. The manufacturer manual doesn't say you can or cannot run the pipe inside a wall. It does say it can be ran through a wall and through a roof.

Thanks.

RFW

 

[Javiles]

I'm assuming you're saying "no" to the part where I run the PVC pipe inside the wall. Is there a reason that you can share with me? Will the pipe get too hot even though it is power vented? The water heater would be a high efficient type. The manufacturer manual doesn't say you can or cannot run the pipe inside a wall. It does say it can be ran through a wall and through a roof.

Thanks.

RFW

Anywhere there is a potential fire hazard you can not have PVC its petroleum based and even if it did not burn through if it got hot enough it would emit toxic fumes. that why in certain buildings you can not use pvc for water or drainage must be in good ole cast iron and copper. national fire code. they make specific pipe for what you want to do.

 

[TheEplumber]

I was wondering if anyone had experience with running the PVC pipe for a power vented water heater? Currently I have an electric water heater and I will be doing some first floor renovations to expose the studs in a wall directly above the water heater. I will be replacing the electric water with a natural gas unit. I want to know if I can run the PVC vent pipe inside the wall and have it stub into my attached garage rafters and through the roof?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

RFW

I'd say you're penetrating a fire wall- thats a no-no without an approved method

 

[RFWWorker]

Anywhere there is a potential fire hazard you can not have PVC its petroleum based and even if it did not burn through if it got hot enough it would emit toxic fumes. that why in certain buildings you can not use pvc for water or drainage must be in good ole cast iron and copper. national fire code. they make specific pipe for what you want to do.

Thanks for taking the time to help me out with this. I'm still a little confused about what you're saying. Are you saying that using PVC is the issue here, or penetrating a fire-wall with PVC is the issue? If the latter is the concern, you're saying I could run the vent pipe inside the wall but not with PVC. Only with an approved type of pipe?

I'd like to add that I have a sewer vent stack going into my garage and through the garage roof. I was planning on running the water heater vent the same way. This vent wall installed when the house was initially built back in 1975.

Thanks,

RFW

 

[TheEplumber]

Contact the manufacturers rep. On a proper install you are limited on length and fittings

 

[RFWWorker]

Contact the manufacturers rep. On a proper install you are limited on length and fittings

I do understand the length and fitting restrictions. I was just concerned about the vent pipe with exhaust being inside a wall for an 8 foot run, then you guys brought up the issue with penetrating a fire-wall that I didn't think of. I admit this is an unusual circumstance. I will contact the manufacturer to see what they say and report back what I find out.

Thanks.

RFW