Water Heater Venting

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

Within the last two weeks several times Ive seen where plumbers or whomever installed new water heaters in older homes (inside closets) have used a soffit vent grill for the fresh air vent flush with the ceilings. This is NOT the make up air or combustion air vent flue that normally will extend down into the closet to provide the air needed for combustion. In both cases the vents are covered over inside the attic with insulation. This is not an acceptable practice or method for venting from everything I have read and know about venting. The standards used are clearly outlined in the Code Check book (page 22, right side). This just a heads up for anyone else who runs across this. Ive never seen this before in 12 years of doing this and then see it several times in as many weeks. It may be a new thing that unsuspecting tradesmen are doing but it is dangerous.

[Jae Williams]

Somewhere along the line a contractor came up with a less expensive method for make-up air--then the insulation guys came along...