The gas man red-tagged my hot water tank for several reasons. I'm replacing the tank but also need to change the vent from single wall to double wall (Type B Gas Vent). It goes through the block wall in basement and is very tight fit. Single wall is approx. 3" diameter and double wall is about 3.5". It needs to be double wall where it goes through the wall. How can I enlarge the 3" diameter hole to 3.5"? Can't possibly afford to hire someone. Can do water/gas hookups safely myself. Vent from exterior of block wall on up is double wall. Man said single wall vent wouldn't possibly get hot enough to ignite concrete(!) or have condensation problem if hole is TIGHT (it is, that's the problem) but his hands are tied b/c code states double wall vent _through_ the wall even if the wall isn't flammable. I'm at the "panic stage" since they won't approve the new tank I'm going to install w/o the vent fixed. Thanks in advance for help soonest!
2006-11-17 04:52:22 · 6 answers · asked by Wes G 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I guess my real fear was damaging the wall with the BFH & cold chisel method. Or having the block crack in such a fashion that I wouldn't be able to repair it with hydraulic cement.
I do not know if they are the two hole or the three hole variety. The house was built in 1952.
Unless I hear different in the next couple of hours I will go with the BFH & cold chisel route. I don't imagine I would be able to actually make a round hole only 1/2" larger in diameter - that's only 1/4" enlargement all the way around. I guess "it's gonna' get messy."
Thanks to everyone who answered, this site is new to me.
2006-11-17 06:04:15 · update #1
Get a hammer and a pointed chisel (one for metal or concrete, not wood) and just enlarge the hole. Depending on if you have 2 hole or 3 hole blocks this will be either easy or hard. (2 hole blocks have larger holes in the blocks than 3 holers)
If it is a 3 hole block you may have to chip out a very large area, install the pipe and then use some cement to fill the voids around the pipe after it is installed.
A library, bookstore or home improvement center may have a book on concrete that you could look through that would be helpful too.
2006-11-17 05:05:32 · answer #1 · answered by Mark in NE Indiana 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably using a hammer and chisel is your best bet. Hammer needed is a small handled sledge type you can handle with one hand and chisel should be flat faced about an inch or two wide.Just slowly work your way through the block, and don't worry too much if you go a little wide, you can always come back with grout/mortor and patch up any areas you need to.
2006-11-17 05:00:10 · answer #2 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will stand with Aussie adding safety glasses, a good cold chisel and a heavy hammer should make quick work of that wall. You can go to "Home Depot" and get a Tube of "Concrete patch" if the holes to big and squirt in what you need to fix the hole later. Good luck.
2006-11-17 05:02:34 · answer #3 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-01-24 22:19:16 · answer #4 · answered by sexton 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
see you later as you've a masonry bit interior the drill, you have to be able to drill some holes in the previous the battery receives drained. A drill with extra voltage ought to drill extra holes in the previous the battery ran down, yet i imagine you'll experience good about 14.4 volts.
2016-10-16 09:21:12 · answer #5 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a hammer and chisle and patience will get the hole to the size you need
2006-11-17 04:55:28 · answer #6 · answered by aussie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋