Who doesn’t like those flaming, charred clouds of sweetness? I am pretty sure that most things will burn or melt if one gets them hot enough. I am also pretty sure that “most” plastic materials typically found within ones home are susceptible to burning and/or melting. Take your average Corian type "plastic" countertop. While they are pretty resistant to heat, if we get the material hot enough, it will melt----if not catch on fire. Of course the wood cabinets below the countertop might not fare as well. This countertop is in a commercial kitchen. Because the countertop is higher than the adjacent stove, the overhanging pot was able to direct flames and heat onto the countertop----making it look more like a marshmallow over a camp fire----than an appropriate countertop material. Plastic water piping for homes is becoming the standard and these too need proper clearances from heat sources. Take the exhaust hood on your water heater----you certainly don’t want anything plastic near that. The same goes for vent pipe from furnaces and water heaters. Even double wall vent pipe like B-vent, typically requires at least an inch of clearance. In this next picture we see the plastic PEX-type pipe right next to the draft hood of the water heater and jammed right between the single wall vents of both the furnace and the water heater. Single wall pipe requires at least 6” of clearance to plastic pipe. This is all a fairly new installation----but, over time the piping will succumb to the heat----and those nice white fittings will look more like marshmallows too. Charles Buell
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Another day with do it yourselfers.
Charles great post and very informative!
Wow, some people really don't think before they do? I'm suprised that house didn't flood or burn down before you got that picture.
Charles:
I am not an expert but I know that plastic will melt. It seems as though better materials could have been used in these installations.
I'm wondering if this might be the work of a 'semi-pro' flipper. In my area, most DIY folks don't have the tools necessary to work with PEX, and I can't believe a professional plumber/HVAC tech. could be that blind.....unless he was preoccupied by his Friday night date.
Hope everyone has a great day.
Lyn, for sure :)
Corey, thanks
Jay, the stuff will take a lot of heat for a while anyway----apparently:)
Claudette---yes metal is required in these areas
Scott, the Big Orange Toolbox makes it possible for most anyone to "work" with PEX
Charles - You need to send some of the producers of Holmes on Holmes. It never ceases to amaze me that common sense takes a back seat to so many home....and I quess buisness renovations. We learned at an early age...flames burn and heat melt things. What were they thinking.
Once again, you've proven why I am adamant about my buyers having a professional home inspection prior to the completion of a sale.
Well done Charles!
That counter simply looks like a layover to meet some cleanliness code. Too bad they passed. The fire department will be calling next time. I've seen that plastic piping wrapped around the furnace vent pipe to keep it from sagging. Not all home owners are plumbers and not all plumbers are brain developed equally.
Diane, just a case of lack of information I am sure.
Craig thanks
Glenn ain't that the truth:)
Counters melting (and vinyl siding outdoors) is pretty common around here. But the PEX over the water heater is not. Here 18" of metal is required over water heaters. Is that heater also used as a hydronic boiler? Even still, metal would be required here. I think your PEX picture is worse than the counter top! At least for potential problems.
Jay no----just a regular water heater. Metal required here too. Any time you see pex without insulation on it, there is a good chance Billy Jays was involved :)
Hi Charles,
Another excellent post Charles. It boggles the mind at some of the ways people come up with solutions that in them selves soon become yet another problem.
Thanks for another informative post! I'm always learning to look for new things in my visual inspection. I haven't seen pex tied directly to the water heater but now if I do I'll know that we have a problem. Not that I'm that concerned because I always strongly encourage my clients to have a professional home inspection. :-)
I'm not sure Billy sells that product, but I can find out...
As I have said before, you know how to take the fun out of owning a home. First you were in favor of using a foundation to prevent sliding into the street and now you are against singing around the camp fire and making smores. No fun at all...
William---nothing like job security I guess :)
Michael, when you are looking around and you see PEX exposed---not insulated----that in itself may be a defect in that it has to be protected from UV exposure.
Jay, too high tech for him?
Kate, Spoil-Sport-R-Us here
Oh Wow! I like the melted counter top. BTW, look at the plastic pipes as a built-in fire extinguisher...
I doubt it. He can sell anything. And I like smores... I'm a Scoutmaster.
Michael----or automatic water heater washer?
Jay, I am sure you have had your share of toasted marshmallows. By the way did you notice the Chinese Fluke recall today? Volt sniffers----Model: "Volt Alert 1AC-AI"
My guess these people didn't want to take the time or spend the money to do it right, or didn't know what right was. Now they'll have to deal with the consequences.
Frank I really do think it was more of just not knowing what was right.
Jay, my oldest daughter is scout leader (I don't think master) for my 6 year old grandson's den. She loves it. She taught them how to thread worms for their fishing badge with fluorescent gummy worms and tooth picks. Sorry to say, that was my suggestion.
Okay, Charles, you may have your blog back.
But Kate----what if I don't want it back?
Charles - I am reminded of one do-it-yourselfer that was wearing a t-shirt that said, "Mr, Make It Worse." His wife always claimed that it was one step forward and two backwards, everytime he tackled a home improvement project! That counter reminds me of something he would install:-)
Are you offering it up... or just being contrary?
Myrl---that poor guy needs to become rich----so he can afford to hire it done wrong :)
Can you spell 'fire hazard'? Wouldn't want to be eating in that establishment when the &^%$ hit the fan!
Debi
Debi, is the stuff in a fire extinguisher a "condiment?"
Yesterday I had a B-vent in direct contact with a PVC vent
Charles, excellent post! It is good to be reminded of things that we should realize from the outset!
I did Charlie. If it is Chinese produced and electrically oriented (no pun intended with the oriented there) then sooner or later you can count on a recall. They are intent on underwiring stuff.
You description of toasted marshmallows is much better than they taste. I like smores all right, but plain toast marshmallows....yeeeech!
Btw love that automatic water heater washer. Pure genius :)
Golden Brown, right before they char is my fave, but many Boy Scouts love the flames...much as these builders.
Question: Plastic proximity aside, shouldn't the vent pipe be mostly oriented (unless of course of Chinese manufacture) level and upward? Doesn't the sharp downturn at the left produce back-gassing out the water heater's end?
Homebuyer: I love what you've done to the house. It's so homey. I love how you integrated the firepit into the kitchen. This way I dont ever have to leave the comfort of my sanctuary.
Where do I sign?
Rich
...and it is funny the people who sell solid surface materials (like Corian), don't mention how bad the fumes from it are when it burns. ....They seem a little too focused on telling folks about the alleged radon from their competitors granite. :)
Steve, yup---not all that uncommon
Tony & Darcy, thanks
Jay, I am not sure how much "intention" is there:)
Jim, you mean you don't have one?
Bill, yes---lots of problems witht the venting as well
Rich, I hope there is a really good exhaust fan
Harold, combustion by-products from most materials can be pretty nasty. I think I heard a while back that "silk" is one of the worst. Gotta love the smell of burning plastic though :)
Mr Charles,
Some like it hot. Haw, Haw, Haw,
Pal Nutsy
More mustard please!
It's awfully consistent for not intended...