What is that smell coming from water heater venting?

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Golden_Child

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Ok, so my fiance and I installed a new water heater and now everytime it kicks on the venting system has a funny smell coming from it. It's not a gas smell, to me it smells like my hot glue gun when it is heating up. We did the test with a candle to make sure no gases were spilling out due to a hood not being installed correctly. What could it be? Thanks!
WOW! Thank-you all so much for your help! I didn't think anyone would answer. The venting pipe gets real hot...is that not safe? We didn't replace the venting system...just the water heater. Is this ok?
 
Since it was just installed it is probally the pipe dope or plumbers putty, or the glue used on the pvc pipes. It will eventually go away with time.
 
They coat the water tank heat exchangers with oil so they do not rust during storage and shipping. The first time you run them it burns off and may leave an odor behind. Also if you installed new vent pipe it also has a coating of oil that will burn off. Give it a few days it should go away.
 
It's the 'new' smell that will shortly go away after the venting gets hot a few more times.



Papaw
 
Feel the vent pipe right where it goes through the celing or wall. DO NOT TOUCH TILL you feel the ambient air around it and slowly find out how hot the exhaust pipe is getting. If it gets too hot you need to have that checked.

Otherwise it is more likely new matter adjusting to the unit being installed and heated.
 
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