Water Heaters - Any insulation for vent on gas water heater?

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wgc
01-20-09, 02:05 PM
Is there any such thing as insulation to put around the vent pipe coming out the top of a gas water heater? It's steel, looks like about 3" diameter, and leads from the water heater up into the chimney.

I was being stupid yesterday and heard a nice sizzle from the water on my hands, but somehow didn't get burned. For safety reasons, I'd like to surround that pipe with something. Any ideas?

Concretemasonry
01-20-09, 03:18 PM
If you did not get burned, it is not too hot. The pipe is meant to carry the heat away from the heater. Usually there is a gap between the heater and the vent to prodive extra air to improve the draft.

You might want to have your heater checked to see if it is burning properly and installed properly if you are really worried.
hankhill6018
01-20-09, 04:20 PM
Do not insulate the pipe. Any combustible material on the vent pipe will create a fire hazard.

The type a vent pipe is likely 26 gauge single walled vent. I believe the required clearance to combustibles is 6 inches.

ZL700
01-21-09, 04:36 PM
You could always replace the single wall galvanized pipe with double wall gas b-vent pipe. This pipe has a air gap between the two pipes offering insulation.