Water Heater Exhaust and PVC Pipe Work

In this video, I build a new PVC water heater exhaust, including a new insect screen

Summary:

The water heater exhaust manifold I installed a couple years back had its insect screen eaten away, presumably by corrosion. Here we go through the process to build a new one, while discussing proper technique for assembling and gluing PVC pipe. We also add in a new insect screen. Note some items below are links to Amazon products – if you’d like to support my efforts, you can do so at no cost to you by buying through these links for items you already might need to purchase.

Parts:

• 3″ PVC 90 degree elbows
• 3″ PVC 45 degree elbow
• 3″ PVC DWV pipe
• PVC Primer and Glue
• Insect Screen

Tools:

• PVC Pipe Saw
• Utility Knife
• Tin Snips
• Tape Measure
• Permanent Marker

Detailed Description:

• Start by scoping out exactly what you’ll need for your project
  • What size is the PVC (probably 3″)
  • How many and what type of elbows will you need (90, 45 degree, or maybe a straight union)
  • Ensure you have some PVC primer and glue on hand
• Remove your existing exhaust manifold – mine wasn’t glued in place, but your might be, so could potentially need to be removed with a saw, ensuring enough pipe remains extending from the house to reinstall when you’re complete.
• Based on the removed manifold, cut appropriate lengths of straight PVC pipe to allow assembly of a duplicate unit.
• Clean all cuts to ensure pipe fits easily inside of your new elbows and such.
• Dry fit parts and mark with the permanent marker how parts need to be assembled when gluing.
• Disassemble your temporary unit for gluing.
• Cut any required screens to fit between the final output elbow (45 degree in my case) and the first section of PVC pipe.
• Insert the screen into the output elbow, the proceed with gluing.
• To glue, first coat both parts as needed with purple primer, using the included applicator.
• Then do the same for the PVC cement.
• Quickly insert the glued pipe into the elbow, making sure to slightly twist the parts as they go together.
• Hold pressure on this new joint for 30-60 seconds, otherwise the joint tends to separate as the glue starts to set up.
• Repeat this process for all joints.
• Reinstall the new manifold and paint as needed.
• Check this one off your list!! 8^)