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    marty69's Avatar
    marty69 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    May 23, 2014, 02:18 PM
    Piggy back two water heaters
    Two 4" flue tied into one... what should the diameter be
    smoothy's Avatar
    smoothy Posts: 25,490, Reputation: 2853
    Uber Member
     
    #2

    May 23, 2014, 02:29 PM
    I think that's a code violation.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
     
    #3

    May 23, 2014, 03:37 PM
    Hi Marty

    The answer isn't really going to be an easy answer, per say, as each state has its own requirements and mathematical formulas for figuring this stuff out...;)

    As an example, in my state, we have to know the chimney flue size to start, distances of each appliance from the chimney, BTU count on each appliance, location of chimney (outside wall or runs up through the inside of the home), etc., etc., etc.!

    With that being said, in most cases where you have 2 appliances on an outside chimney that connect together, we would calculate that the two 4" flues must connect together to a 5" x 4" x 4" WYE fitting and then 5" must connect into the chimney. Like I said, however, there are many factors that can mess this simple case up and make it so that the chimney is not properly sized (undersized), or is even OVERSIZED and will not allow a proper draft to pull on the appliance flues which would then require that a chimney LINER of the correct size be installed....UGH!!

    Anyway, I would suggest talking to a local plumber and have him do a proper calculation according to your state requirements....chimney flue work is something that can kill whole families if done wrong!!

    Good luck!

    Mark
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #4

    May 24, 2014, 06:20 AM
    It's better to be certain. Contact your local building department. Good luck, Tom
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
     
    #5

    May 24, 2014, 09:15 AM
    To compute the size of your vent for two water heaters, you have to know what is the combined value of BTU's for both water heaters. Based on that number, you will install proper size vent. See the chart.

    http://www.hotwater.com/lit/misc/aostd63110.pdf

    Hope that helps

    Milo

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