New 50 Gallon Rheem Backdrafting

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Justfixit

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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.

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Jeff H Young

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

Breplum

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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

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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

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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
 

Jeff H Young

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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
 
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