Expert: Fred Weldin - 7/1/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi there, i live in mexico and am building a wood frame house. Im going to install a rheem 152ltr gas fired hot water tank heater. I really need to know the correct way to vent this heater. The heater will be installed in a small cupboard in the kitchen. It sits right next to the outside wall which is stucco on the outside, the floor being concrete.I just bought a small louvred door for access and airflow to the heater, the cupboard being drywall. I have no buidling code requirements here and from what ive seen here there are some dodgy installations goin around. I get all my gear from home depot but the helpers there are useless eg, showed me a plastic outlet with a cat flap in it, really designed for a dryer. So, i have the tank heater, installed my gas pipe, now i need to rig up a proper flue for it. I have a 90 degree lobster bend to get it facing the wall but as i see it, this isnt sealed, it can turn for adjustment. So, i really need help with this. I know it aint rocket science but i also dont want to burn my new house down or gas the wife to death. Do i need to retain the little flue cap which comes with the heater, the one with 3 little legs and an air gap between the heater and the start of the flue. I just want it to be vent properly and safely. Muchas gracias.

ANSWER: Ryan:

Why don't you read the Installation Instructions that came with the heater? They're usually pretty complete in that regard. If you didn't receive the Instructions, you should be able to Google them.

Fred

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: wow, all those years of expertise must come in handy for answers like that hehehe. i dont have instructions, no joy on google, its all spanish muck, hence i´m tryin to ask an expert. Never mind Fred, i aint stupid, i´ll fix it.

Answer
Ryan:

Forgive me, but I was trying to be polite.

Please look at this from my perspective: Here's a lay person asking me to participate in something that could literally kill him and/or his family and/or burn down his wood frame home if performed improperly.

Here are some of the issues you face: Combustion air supply (don't install the thing in a room with a drier), clearance to combustibles (drywall is "combustible"), gas pressure and gas pressure drop, etc.

My best advice: Hire an insured Mexican plumbing contractor.

DW says I'm "snarky" from time to time. I believe I've suppressed most of that tendency here; please do your best imagine the thoughts swirling in the snarky part of my brain.

Have a great day, and best of luck in your adventure!

Fred