New 50 Gallon Rheem Backdrafting

[Justfixit]

Hello, I installed a new Rheem 50 gallon natural gas water heater to replace my old Rheem 50 gallon. I noticed after it ran for probably a half-hour the plastic trim pieces around the water lines was melting. The vent is very simple just an elbow on about a 45 then straight out the block wall, has plenty of slope. I can't see what would be wrong. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[John Gayewski]

You need 12 inches of vertical before you 90 over. Then slope

 

[Sponsor]

 

[John Gayewski]

You also need a license to install water heaters especially gas.

 

[Jeff H Young]

Need a minimum rise of 5 ft I believe, coming out the block on a 45 and then what? plugged up with leaves ?

 

[Jeff H Young]

It needs some length to get a draft going

 

[Breplum]

Single wall pipe in unconditioned space is not allowed under UPC and UMC.
I've never seen an installation like yours, since the vent pipe should be going to a properly sized and supported, double wall tee outside, and those are only designed to receive straight connections.

 

[Jeff H Young]

Single wall pipe in unconditioned space is not allowed under UPC and UMC.
I've never seen an installation like yours, since the vent pipe should be going to a properly sized and supported, double wall tee outside, and those are only designed to receive straight connections.

Didnt notice it was single wall, No mention of a failure to draft by justfixit on previous water heater. Single or double i dont think effects draft. I think the darn vent is just poping through the wall and ends not enough length to create draft an improper install in more ways than 1

 

[Jeff H Young]

we always use single wall in unconditioned space like a garage fom the heater to the b vent a few feet away, HVAC will put a double wall right to the furnace . But I never have on water heaters

 

[Justfixit]

You need 12 inches of vertical before you 90 over. Then slope

Thank you

 

[Jeff H Young]

Thank you

Maybe a bit more input from justfixit? an explanation or pic from outside showing the verticle rise of vent

 

[Fitter30]

Want a pic of the roof and flue pipe?

 

[Jeff H Young]

Want a pic of the roof and flue pipe

The pic he shows dosent convince me from using single wall or the lack of 12 inch rise . that either are cause I think something else is wrong , possiby it just comes out side the house and ends. perhap not a pic but what else is wrong. btw he had a water heater there before