I was asked the other day to help solve a problem with a boiler that does not draw well at the chimney and often soots up and smokes black.
I took a look and had say I needed to do more research before answering.
I think I know part of the answer but…
The situation is that a boiler is installed in a cellar room. There is no vertical chimney out. The exhaust is a 5″ SS pipe right out through the concrete wall. The end cap is horizontal tot he ground, just immediately above ground. No cleanout, no T, no vertical stem…
I made a comment about how some of these Power vents don’t always work in sync with the boiler…
They told me, “This is not a powervent, it is just a straight pipe out!”
WTF???
So I go inside to see for myself. The front of the boiler has a round shroud – cast, I think, at t he front of it just before the port leading to the exhaust instead of the exhaust coming off the top or the back. Wish I’d taken a picture.
Anyways, could this be a built in power exhaust fan? Never seen one like it before. If not, inadequate installation was the whole problem from the beginning.
even if so, I think the end port is too close to the ground and needs a cleanout T and some rise to the pipe.
The only problem is that there are tooo many windows around that corner of the house. I think I’ll be going back in to study whether there is a place where a chimney pipe can be run up through the house.
Will try to get a couple pictures of all this tomorrow.
Any thoughts?
Most of my flue experience is with wood stoves, and that a natural drafting unit needs a minimum of 14′ lift to work in normal situations. This one has trees and roofs that could create a downdraft to overcome as well.
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Anybody?
Looks like it may be end of the week before I can get back in to see this one again.
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Pictures would help. Doubt if it is a power vent, but hate troubleshooting from a distance.
But, symptoms sound like a regular boiler hacked in and the occupants lucky they ain't talking to St. Peter.
Make sure they don't run it before you get back.
It is a guest house for an estate. I doubt it sees occupants more than a couple weeks a year, and then in summer when no heat is called for.Guess I'll be recommending a CO detector too
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Is there enought make up air entering to allow flow of the spent gases?
that would be my first thought too, find the install manual, all the spec's are in there ..
"find the install manual, all the spec's are in there ..
"Good thought! If it isn't nailed to the beam nearby, I can find the model # and look up the PDF online
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Does sound like improper install on the flue ... power vent or not (I'm assuming you aren't referring to a condensing boiler w/ a PVC flue pipe). Time to dig for answers, 'cause this could be an issue.
I'd forgotten this thread. I sidestepped the issue by recommending that the owns have a reputable HVAC guy evaluate and make recommendations how to handle it, while warning them of the possibilities.Same house has dryer vented from one room of the basement into the boiler room. WTF??? Trying to provide makeup air? LOL
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