Water heater flue - is this forbidden

[Mike Krueger]

Hello all,
Inspected a home this morning. ? The water heater flue came off of the vent hood and immediately went to a elbow. ? I know this isn't ideal but is it forbidden. ? If so do you have any info on it. ?

This is all I could find. ? There should be a rise of ten vent diameters off of the top of the heater before the first elbow. On a heater that has a three inch vent that would be 30 inches before an elbow. ?

[Jarrod Northage]

The bend is not the issue, its the rise in the vent thats important. The vent should rise 1/4 inch per linear foot. Here is a link that might be useful.

http://www.checkthishouse.com/49/water-heater-vent-pipe.html#Water_heater_vent_pipe_pitch

[Dominic Maricic]

Great link, thanks Jarrod!

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Mike... The alledged "ten vent diameters" rule would be impossible in most basements in MN. With an average height of a 30-40 gal WH at approx. 66 inches, adding the 30 inches... for 96 inches total before the first elbow! That just isn't ever going to happen!