Water heater exhaust keeps plugging up in this cold snap??

[JohnnyHockey]

Anyone else having this problem during the cold snap...the exhaust pipe from my water heater keeps getting blocked by built up frosty stuff and it's throwing a code and not running, Im having to clear it once a day to keep it running Any tips on how to stop it? Maybe insulate it somehow?

[superflychief]

We just removed the mesh covering the opening. Haven't had any issues in 6yrs sonce we built the place.

[JohnnyHockey]

There's no mesh covering... I'm wondering if the pipe needs to come out longer before the bend downwards..

[AndyL]

Betcha you can google the install manual and check for manufacturers requirements rather than guessing.

Guessing and gas appliances - is a bad combination IMHO

[IggyB]

It's probably your intake that get plugged up and has a screen on it. The exhaust puts out warm moist air which gets sucked into the intake.

Intake - One pipe facing down with screen
Exhaust - One pipe facing top and bottom

Put a sheet of plywood between them to separate.

[Jeeper1986]

Originally posted by IggyB
It's probably your intake that get plugged up and has a screen on it. The exhaust puts out warm moist air which gets sucked into the intake.

Intake - One pipe facing down with screen
Exhaust - One pipe facing top and bottom

Put a sheet of plywood between them to separate.

this is what I did to mine they intake and exhaust are soo close together I'm thinking of extending the exhaust more out

but as of now I put plywood between the 2 and works good

[dezmarez]

Originally posted by JohnnyHockey
Anyone else having this problem during the cold snap...the exhaust pipe from my water heater keeps getting blocked by built up frosty stuff and it's throwing a code and not running, Im having to clear it once a day to keep it running Any tips on how to stop it? Maybe insulate it somehow?

I've been having the same issues.
Went out and cleared the vents and seems to have solved the issue.

[JohnnyHockey]

Yes... But my problem is it frosts up again, I have to clear it once a day... Hopefully it's not as bad once it warms up again... I'll have to mention it during our three month walk though..

[carson blocks]

Originally posted by JohnnyHockey
I'm wondering if the pipe needs to come out longer before the bend downwards..

Originally posted by Jeeper1986
I'm thinking of extending the exhaust more out

I'd think extending the exhaust pipe out would exacerbate the problem by allowing the water vapour in the exhaust to further cool, condense, and freeze before exiting the pipe. I'd think either a shorter pipe, or insulating the pipe would be better at ensuring the vapour doesn't have a chance to condense before exiting. Like Andy said though, don't guess at gas appliance exhaust, read the manuals and see what the exhaust specs are. Also, the manual should have a pitch requirement to ensure water in the pipe either drains out or back in depending on design. I'd check that as I have very little faith in most home builders ability to find an angle rather than eyeballing it, and even less faith in them reading an installer sheet instead of just doing it the way that 'looks right to them'.

[austic]

I have the same problem. I live by COP and the hot water install company said I would have this problem constantly from the snow guns when It gets cold. I just go knock off the ice and reset it....

[benyl]

Originally posted by carson blocks

I'd think extending the exhaust pipe out would exacerbate the problem by allowing the water vapour in the exhaust to further cool, condense, and freeze before exiting the pipe. I'd think either a shorter pipe, or insulating the pipe would be better at ensuring the vapour doesn't have a chance to condense before exiting.

My experience is the longer pipes are less likely to freeze.

I have 2 furnaces and 1 boiler.

The boiler exhaust is flush mount with the side of the house and constantly freezes. The longer furnace exhausts just have long icicles.

Furnaces are 97% and the boiler is 95% AFUE.