Thread: Foil tape on vent pipe

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Jeff,
I have met very few (if any) real estate agents that were also licensed home inspectors, or HVAC contractors. So I wouldn't lose any sleep over the agent's opinion unless he or she can back it up with some credentials and credible experience.

There is a reason the foil tape was applied, and since we're dealing with potential Carbon Monoxide problems, I'd report it as you did. Better safe than sorry.
IMHO.

Jeff Beck
Foresight Home Inspection LLC

There's other problems with that vent pipe, anyway. I don't believe that elbow should be connected directly to the furnace. There should be a straight pipe first.

Need 12" rise before offsets
need draft hood connector and screw it into the appliance collar which is conveniently located inside the cabinet
Cannot be relied upon to secure the B-vent to the appliance, which it appears they are doing.

UL 181 foil tape is for ducts- not vents. Its presence may mean:
-draft/ CO issues
-simply holding the B-vent together as sometimes it rotates too easily and won't hold position
-peace of mind

you could get really picky and say since it cannot pass ASTM E-136, it is considered combustible. The reality is the acrylic adhesive will cook off and the tape will being to peel away. It doesn't hold up. The cooking acrylic stinks and can cause eyes to tear.

Not sure what your looking at the pipe and the tape look very suspicious. That tape is UL listed for duct work, not vent pipe, there is no tape listed for vent pipe. I could not see enough of the unit but that pipe looks out of place.
Good call originally let a HVAC qualified person take the responsibility.

Kevin T Stewart
F.I.R.E. #020
Member F.I.R.E. Education Development Committee

I am surprised they didn't mastic the flue.