I live in a 1930s house and I've noticed that the gas vent for my water heater isn't securely attached to the wall, plus it lacks a flue liner. I want to get this issue sorted out as soon as possible. Should I reach out to a chimney service, an HVAC contractor, or a plumber for this kind of job?
4 Answers
I think calling a chimney service could also be a good option. I had a similar experience with my fireplace; they installed a sleeve for my cast iron insert pretty quickly. Just make sure they have experience with your type of installation, since some only work with fireplaces.
You might also think about upgrading to a high-efficiency water heater. They typically only require a PVC exhaust pipe, which can either go up the chimney or vent out through a wall. That could simplify things for you. I had a chimney company quote me over $2k just to fix the current vent issue, and I’m considering a replacement soon.
Before making any calls, consider checking to see if there's anything wrong with your setup. Installing a CO detector is essential, and if the vent is corroded, you might want to replace it with stainless steel parts for safety. I replaced mine a while back and stuck with the original flue.
You should definitely look into either a plumber or an HVAC contractor. Both of these professionals work with gas equipment, and often you'll find that some companies might handle both services under one roof.
Just a heads up, not all chimney services are equipped to handle water heater vents. It sounds like you need someone with HVAC experience for this task.