Hi
I manage apts. In California and all units have gas wall heaters. MANY are original from the late 50's & 60's, when they were built, so some are very old.

Occasionally we run across an apt. that has gry-black, grimy soot, built up on all the walls, esp. ceiling & corners.

These are two story buildings--my question is are these heaters vented through the roof? If yes, Are the upstairs & (directly below) & downstairs units, vented through one flue?

Is this black soot radiating, due to a clogged flue?? Dirty thermo-coupling unit?

Is this carbon, a by-product of the gas used for heat?

Thanks LU MOHATT

Hi
I manage apts. in California and all units have gas wall heaters. MANY are original from the late 50's & 60's, when they were built, so some are very old.

Occasionally we run across an apt. that has gry-black, grimy soot, built up on all the walls, esp. ceiling & corners.

These are two story buildings--my question is are these heaters vented thru the roof?? If yes, Are the upstairs & (directly below) & downstairs units, vented thru one flue??

Is this black soot radiating, due to a clogged flue??? dirty thermo-coupling unit??

Is this carbon, a by-product of the gas used for heat??

Thanks LU MOHATT


Since these are old heaters it would be a big guess as to exactly how they are vented and the heat exchanger condition. It would be best to remove the unit and see how they vent then use a CO/monoxer tester to see if the heat exchangers have failed. You can never be to careful with these old heaters since many of them from back then have little or no safety devices.