Need to know how to inspect your flue pipe? Knowing how to inspect your flue pipe is a very important part of furnace maintenance every homeowner should have done yearly. The flue pipe is a component of the home heating system, whether it is for central space heating or water heating when gas is used. The flue pipe safely vents exhaust and combustion byproducts out of the furnace to the roof top wherever the flue pipe ends.
The flue pipe’s function is for ventilation of carbon monoxide and flue gases. It allows harmful byproducts to exit your home heating system preventing occupants from being exposed. On modern furnaces if there is a blockage or anything wrong with your flue pipe, there are safety switches in place to shut the gas valve off preventing combustion byproducts from producing.
What is a flue pipe made out of?
Flue pipes are made from metal or PVC depending on the efficiency of the central heating system or water heater. Flue pipes are often single wall or double wall. The flue pipe runs up as a chimney vent would in most applications, allowing combustion gases to travel easily to the exterior of the home. Flue pipes exist in just about every application that requires combustible gas, wall heaters, chimneys, water heaters, fireplaces and more.
How to inspect your flue pipe
- Remove the flue cap on the roof or end of the flue pipe to check for blockages such as debris or birds’ nests.
- Replace and secure the cap tightly to the end of the flue pipe. This cap prevents birds, debris, and other items from moving into the flue, blocking it.
- Look for signs of blockages by examining the pipe itself – water streaks or rust on the flue pipe may indicate a blockage, causing moisture to back up. Soot near the furnace is another sign of a flue blockage.
- Have an HVAC Contractor come out and inspect the flue vent with a camera and or clean it.
HVAC techs show you how to inspect your flue pipe
If you are unsure how to inspect your flue pipe, ask your trusted heating and cooling company for assistance. Your HVAC technician will inspect your flue pipe during seasonal preventative maintenance service– ask your technician to show you pictures if at all possible to get a clear view of the insides of the flue pipe.