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#1
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Protecting PEX from heat
In my house I have a run of PEX tubing that runs right past, almost touching
in fact, the gas vent for the hot water heater. My concern is that the PEX is in danger or melting or accelerated decay due to the heat. Is there some way I can shield the PEX from the gas pipe, would there be a code or fire reason why this particular section needs to be rerouted away from the exhaust pipe? Just to clarify the exhaust from the water heater would have traveled about 5 feet before reaching the point where it is near the PEX so I presume it would have cooled down some. |
#2
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Protecting PEX from heat
Eigenvector wrote:
In my house I have a run of PEX tubing that runs right past, almost touching in fact, the gas vent for the hot water heater. My concern is that the PEX is in danger or melting or accelerated decay due to the heat. Is there some way I can shield the PEX from the gas pipe, would there be a code or fire reason why this particular section needs to be rerouted away from the exhaust pipe? Just to clarify the exhaust from the water heater would have traveled about 5 feet before reaching the point where it is near the PEX so I presume it would have cooled down some. I suggest that you touch that part of the exhaust while the water heater is firing to see whether it really is hot. To answer your question, you if you put a piece of thin aluminum like flashing between the exhaust pipe and the PEX with just 1/8 to 1/4 inch space between pipe and aluminum and between aluminum and PEX that would end your heat problem. If you don't have that much room, you could take aluminum foil crush it (do not make neat folds) and place that barrier between the pipe and the PEX. Chances are essentially no heat would transfer to the PEX. The real question is whether this is PEX for hot water or PEX for cold water, since since tubing for hot water needs to be designed for at least 140 degrees and the exhaust pipe not even be that high in temperature. Of course, the real solution, if the exhaust pipe actually gets hot, is to cut the PEX and insert a short fitting to gain room. That would be about $2 for the fitting and $6 for several steel bands and $10 to rent the crimp tool for 2-4 hours. |
#3
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Protecting PEX from heat
1. You could use copper pipe instead.
2. You could insulate the pex with something that is OK if it touches the exhaust vent. |
#4
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Protecting PEX from heat
wrote in message ps.com... 1. You could use copper pipe instead. 2. You could insulate the pex with something that is OK if it touches the exhaust vent. Just slide a piece of asbestos between them. |
#5
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Protecting PEX from heat
I would get a piece of plastic automotive grade wire loom and put it
around the PEX or just get some of that round flam insulation intended for hot water copper tubing that is available at any DIY place. It's like $1 for a 6 foot length. |
#6
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Protecting PEX from heat
" wrote in message oups.com... I would get a piece of plastic automotive grade wire loom and put it around the PEX or just get some of that round flam insulation intended for hot water copper tubing that is available at any DIY place. It's like $1 for a 6 foot length. Okay, doesn't sound like it's a code issue, so i can just use the insulation to protect the PEX just in case. |
#7
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Protecting PEX from heat
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#9
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Protecting PEX from heat
On Wed, 12 Jul 2006 20:12:52 -0700, "Eigenvector"
wrote: In my house I have a run of PEX tubing that runs right past, almost touching in fact, the gas vent for the hot water heater. My concern is that the PEX is in danger or melting or accelerated decay due to the heat. Is there some way I can shield the PEX from the gas pipe, would there be a code or fire reason why this particular section needs to be rerouted away from the exhaust pipe? Just to clarify the exhaust from the water heater would have traveled about 5 feet before reaching the point where it is near the PEX so I presume it would have cooled down some. If this was my house I'd spend $20 or so to get that PEX away from that exhaust vent. Why risk your home and life for $20. ANYTHING flammabe should NOT be near an exhaust pipe from a gas heater. PEX is some type of plastic. Plastic burns/melts. If it dont actually ignite, it could melt and cause a flood. Reroute it and feel safe. If there is stuff in the way, you could use galv, steel pipe or copper pipe from the heater to a foot past the vent pipe. Use the PEX beyond there. |
#10
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Protecting PEX from heat
wrote in message ... On Wed, 12 Jul 2006 20:12:52 -0700, "Eigenvector" wrote: In my house I have a run of PEX tubing that runs right past, almost touching in fact, the gas vent for the hot water heater. My concern is that the PEX is in danger or melting or accelerated decay due to the heat. If this was my house I'd spend $20 or so to get that PEX away from that exhaust vent. Why risk your home and life for $20. ANYTHING flammabe should NOT be near an exhaust pipe from a gas heater. PEX is some type of plastic. Plastic burns/melts. In spite of all the concern, it is really? If the gas vent is a PVC vent, it would not be ea problem as there is so little heat. We really need better information. |
#11
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Protecting PEX from heat
"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message ... wrote in message ... On Wed, 12 Jul 2006 20:12:52 -0700, "Eigenvector" wrote: In my house I have a run of PEX tubing that runs right past, almost touching in fact, the gas vent for the hot water heater. My concern is that the PEX is in danger or melting or accelerated decay due to the heat. If this was my house I'd spend $20 or so to get that PEX away from that exhaust vent. Why risk your home and life for $20. ANYTHING flammabe should NOT be near an exhaust pipe from a gas heater. PEX is some type of plastic. Plastic burns/melts. In spite of all the concern, it is really? If the gas vent is a PVC vent, it would not be ea problem as there is so little heat. We really need better information. I left out some information because I wanted some general impressions more than anything. Yes it's a 3" galvanized exhaust pipe leading to the roof for the water heater, the PEX as it stands is already about 2 inches away from the pipe, but as it is a temporary fix it is relatively unsecured so it may flop around a little bit as the PEX expands (which by the way is a disturbingly large amount). It will never come within 1 inch of the exhaust pipe however much it expands. I agree with the Souperman dude, it should be rerouted and it will when the rest of the pipe section is replaced. |
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