What's Wrong With This Picture? Venting Dangerous Gases

Answer: Multiple Violations Creating Health Hazard

This particular inspection revealed a very dangerous gas exhaust venting configuration obviously installed by someone who, again, while being creative, did not understand the complications and ramifications of what they were doing.

As the inspector indicated on his report, "The water heater vents to the "T" above the furnace via dryer vent material (unacceptable) connected to the outside of the"T" (allowing spillage of gases). The furnace equipped with a power vent (forced air) will most definitely conflict with the natural atmospheric vent of the water heater, sending dangerous gases in all directions."

To further complicate matters, the horizontal extension of the vent pipe going to the exterior does not appear to have the required slope for proper and safe venting (1/4 inch per 1 foot).

Lastly, as if that weren't enough, the vent pipe terminates upside down at the exterior!  There's just no way gases are going to be necessarily vented from this configuration.

Due to the very dangerous nature of this installation, I would immediately advise the prospective buyer to ask for a proof of permit. (Of course there will be none). Secondly, I would not move into this home until the situation was rectified by a licensed and certified HVAC technician.

As we have said before, when encountering these gone awry home improvement projects, "If it wasn't so scary, it'd almost be funny."

Thanks, Eric Carpenter, an inspector with our Maryland Area Inspection Team. This is a great example of how it should NOT be done!