Water Heater Backdraft Repair

When homeowners replace older furnaces with more efficient models that don t use the chimney to vent gas water heaters are often left as the only device venting into the chimney which is now oversized for the water heater alone.

Water heater backdraft repair.

Checking a water heaters vent draft is an important safety concern. There are a variety of ways to see if your water heater may be back drafting. A common source of backdrafting is orphaned water heaters. The main reasons for the backdrafting at the water heater are the poor vent installation and the obstructions found in the vent pipe.

Investing in a high efficiency water heater that converts more than 90 of the fuel supplied to energy also decreases exhaust gases and the risk of backdrafting. Don t try this at home. This problem affects mainly the atmospheric gas type water heaters that use the natural convection for the removal of the products of combustion known as the exhaust gases. This uses electric fans to push the exhaust gases out into the atmosphere continually.

Remember proper water heater vent installation is critical. Every combustion device should have a fresh air intake for combustion makeup air. The efficiency of the water heater is also a factor. If the water heater starts drafting properly right after doing that it s obviously a problem with insufficient combustion air or makeup air.

First look for damage around the tank such as melted seals or rust. Confirming a water heater is back drafting. The fumes from a hot water heater contain carbon monoxide and can make you sick or even be lethel at certain levels. The best way to avoid backdrafting of your water heater is to get a power vented heater.

Second check for excess moisture on the tank pipes or walls where your water heater is located. Every gas heater creates combustion byproducts including carbon monoxide gas which can be deadly if it accumulates in the confines of a home. Eliminating backdraft in a gas heater.