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TP
 
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Default PVC furnace exhaust freezes

I have a new gas forced air furnace, Amana. The PVC exhaust
runs about horizontally 30 feet to the outside wall. PVC makes
a slight pitch back toward the furnace for draining. Everything
has worked fine until the temperature outside dropped into the
single digits. (Upstate NY) The furnace will not come on until
I go out and clean out the ice formation on the end of the pipe.
Now there is not a lot of ice, only a ridge around the edge.
What do you suggest I do to stop this? Should I insulate
the pipe so it doesn’t freeze? Or should I change the pitch so
more moisture drains back instead of out? The shape of the
pipes looks like rams horns, 2 pipes up about 3 feet 12 inches
apart. Then to 180 degree fittings on top dump down opposite
each other. Should I change the outside configuration?

Thanks
TP
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m Ransley
 
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Call the installer

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Bubba
 
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On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 00:18:43 GMT, TP
wrote:

I have a new gas forced air furnace, Amana. The PVC exhaust
runs about horizontally 30 feet to the outside wall. PVC makes
a slight pitch back toward the furnace for draining. Everything
has worked fine until the temperature outside dropped into the
single digits. (Upstate NY) The furnace will not come on until
I go out and clean out the ice formation on the end of the pipe.
Now there is not a lot of ice, only a ridge around the edge.
What do you suggest I do to stop this? Should I insulate
the pipe so it doesn’t freeze? Or should I change the pitch so
more moisture drains back instead of out? The shape of the
pipes looks like rams horns, 2 pipes up about 3 feet 12 inches
apart. Then to 180 degree fittings on top dump down opposite
each other. Should I change the outside configuration?

Thanks
TP


Read the installation instructions for the terminations of your pvc
pipes. They are very specific as to how they are to be run. Each
manufacturer has a slightly different idea on how this gets
accomplished.
Bubba
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MLD
 
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"TP" wrote in message
.. .
Thanks, the installer retired. I have checked the manual and the
pipe dia and length are fine. I took a shop vacuum to both
pipes, just to be sure. Now the problem has seen to gone away.
The only thing that I noticed was there was not a screen on
the intake pipe. The manual doesn't specific any size of screen,
but shows a picture of one. Could I use standard window screen?
Or something heavier gage?

TP

If your PVC pipes (inlet and exhaust) do not have any kind of screening at
the outside ends you are looking for trouble. Those open pipes are quite
attractive to various animals who would just love to make a home inside one
of them. After one tried, even chewed through some plastic ribs across one
of them, I covered the opening with some chicken wire to keep them out.
MLD


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~KJPRO~
 
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"TP" wrote in message
.. .
Thanks, the installer retired. I have checked the manual and the
pipe dia and length are fine. I took a shop vacuum to both
pipes, just to be sure. Now the problem has seen to gone away.
The only thing that I noticed was there was not a screen on
the intake pipe. The manual doesn't specific any size of screen,
but shows a picture of one. Could I use standard window screen?
Or something heavier gage?

TP


Is this the original 'TP'?

Tom?

~kjpro~





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John Hines
 
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TP wrote:

Thanks, the installer retired. I have checked the manual and the
pipe dia and length are fine. I took a shop vacuum to both
pipes, just to be sure. Now the problem has seen to gone away.
The only thing that I noticed was there was not a screen on
the intake pipe. The manual doesn't specific any size of screen,
but shows a picture of one. Could I use standard window screen?
Or something heavier gage?


I'd suggest hardware cloth, with the 1/2" mesh.

  #7   Report Post  
DN B
 
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Go out and watch the operation of the exhaust pipe for awhile...and,
especially on a windy day. A common problem is the exhaust dumps back
on the intake pipe opening and the exhaust condensate/vapor freezes up
the intake. If this is happening, then, you need to redirect the exhaust
and/or change the intake to a more suitable position . This can often
be done by having the exhaust blow outward from the house at a higher
level than the intake pipe is , and, at 45 degrees to the house wall
for maximum distance from the intake. Refer to your furnace
instructions first.

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~KJPRO~
 
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"Jim B" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:51:56 GMT, TP

wrote:

I have a similar problem you mention here. I forced my installer to add a
screen. I will post a pic here, after my camera batteries are recharge.


No don't, as this is not a binaries group!

Which means, no pictures!

E-mail them to the party that wants them instead!

Thank You,

~kjpro~



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Jim B
 
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On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 14:09:29 -0600, "~KJPRO~" KJPRO @ STARBAND.NET wrote:

OK, no pic and I don't E-mail either. Sorry.

"Jim B" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:51:56 GMT, TP

wrote:

I have a similar problem you mention here. I forced my installer to add a
screen. I will post a pic here, after my camera batteries are recharge.


No don't, as this is not a binaries group!

Which means, no pictures!

E-mail them to the party that wants them instead!

Thank You,

~kjpro~




  #10   Report Post  
TP
 
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That's OK about the picture. I understand you shouldn't
screen the exhaust, because it could freeze up. I like the idea
(DN B) of raising the intake pipe. The manual shows that as an
alternative method.
What I have done today is made a 6 inch length of foam
insulated pipe. Extended these to both the intake and exhaust.
Seems to working. I did notice in the basement the intake pipe
drips with condensation. Could this be the source of the
problem? Water going into the intake....

TP


Jim B wrote:

On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 14:09:29 -0600, "~KJPRO~" KJPRO @ STARBAND.NET wrote:

OK, no pic and I don't E-mail either. Sorry.


"Jim B" wrote in message
...

On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:51:56 GMT, TP


wrote:

I have a similar problem you mention here. I forced my installer to add a
screen. I will post a pic here, after my camera batteries are recharge.


No don't, as this is not a binaries group!

Which means, no pictures!

E-mail them to the party that wants them instead!

Thank You,

~kjpro~







  #11   Report Post  
Jim B
 
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On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 02:51:49 GMT, TP wrote:

It is impossible for me to explain it, except post the pic. This PVC adaptor
screen solved all my problems. I believe you could get this PVC adaptor screen
in Home center.


That's OK about the picture. I understand you shouldn't
screen the exhaust, because it could freeze up. I like the idea
(DN B) of raising the intake pipe. The manual shows that as an
alternative method.
What I have done today is made a 6 inch length of foam
insulated pipe. Extended these to both the intake and exhaust.
Seems to working. I did notice in the basement the intake pipe
drips with condensation. Could this be the source of the
problem? Water going into the intake....

TP


Jim B wrote:

On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 14:09:29 -0600, "~KJPRO~" KJPRO @ STARBAND.NET wrote:

OK, no pic and I don't E-mail either. Sorry.


"Jim B" wrote in message
...

On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:51:56 GMT, TP

wrote:

I have a similar problem you mention here. I forced my installer to add a
screen. I will post a pic here, after my camera batteries are recharge.

No don't, as this is not a binaries group!

Which means, no pictures!

E-mail them to the party that wants them instead!

Thank You,

~kjpro~







  #12   Report Post  
~KJPRO~
 
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Default

"Jim B" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 02:51:49 GMT, TP

wrote:

It is impossible for me to explain it, except post the pic. This PVC

adaptor
screen solved all my problems. I believe you could get this PVC adaptor

screen
in Home center.



No freaking screen you can buy at a local Home center is going to solve his
problems!

If he'd reply to me and answer the question I gave hime, I would help him.

Oh well, his loss!

~kjpro~


That's OK about the picture. I understand you shouldn't
screen the exhaust, because it could freeze up. I like the idea
(DN B) of raising the intake pipe. The manual shows that as an
alternative method.
What I have done today is made a 6 inch length of foam
insulated pipe. Extended these to both the intake and exhaust.
Seems to working. I did notice in the basement the intake pipe
drips with condensation. Could this be the source of the
problem? Water going into the intake....

TP


Jim B wrote:

On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 14:09:29 -0600, "~KJPRO~" KJPRO @ STARBAND.NET

wrote:

OK, no pic and I don't E-mail either. Sorry.


"Jim B" wrote in message
...

On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:51:56 GMT, TP



wrote:

I have a similar problem you mention here. I forced my installer to

add a
screen. I will post a pic here, after my camera batteries are

recharge.

No don't, as this is not a binaries group!

Which means, no pictures!

E-mail them to the party that wants them instead!

Thank You,

~kjpro~










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Posted to alt.home.repair
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Posts: 1
Default PVC furnace exhaust freezes

replying to TP, Donald Corder wrote:
Have as little pvc outside as possible. The more exposed to the elements, the
better chance on problems.

--
for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...es-586902-.htm


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