Replies

1. 
   plumbbill | Jan 20, 2008 08:20pm | #1

   Not sure I'm following the piping pattern.

   Are you saying the pipe is straight out of the side wall of the house?

1. 
   DANSW44 | Jan 21, 2008 06:13pm | #7

   The pipe comes straight out of the wall then a 90 is attached and then a straight pipe comes up 12 inches and then another 90 is facing straight on attached to the straight pipe.  It looks like a periscope or snorkel.

1. 
   plumbbill | Jan 22, 2008 04:51am | #12

   If I understand you correctly, the end of the pipe is horizontal.

   If the end of the pipe was facing down then it would have a tougher time sucking up snow verses just sucking in everything that is flying by.

2. 
   splintergroupie | Jan 20, 2008 08:37pm | #2

   Are you completely sure that's not the exhaust pipe? The exhaust contains a lot of water and in very cold weather, ice can form on the exhaust outlet of a very efficient furnace. (I'm assuming you are writing "90+" to mean at least 90%-efficient furnace.)

   You could try adding a fitting to turn the pipe outlet opening to face the ground, so that wind-blown snow won't get in, just in case that's the problem.

3. 
   danski0224 | Jan 20, 2008 09:03pm | #3

   There isn't anything you can do- it is just a combination of the right conditions that cause these problems.

   If there is a screen in the intake pipe- remove it.

   Sometimes, adding a 3 x 2 reducer on the exhaust will increase the velocity, sending the moisture laden air further away from the intake.

   If you add a 3" test tee with a plug to the intake at the furnace, you can remove the plug when the exterior pipe is frozen, allowing the furnace to operate temporarily.

4. 
   Matt | Jan 20, 2008 09:36pm | #4

   Post a pic of the pipe on the outside of the house.

5. 
   roger g | Jan 20, 2008 10:09pm | #5

   Very common problem with twin pipe installs in snow country. I sure wouldn't put a reducer on it or anything other than what the manufacturer suggests.

     In a lot of cases the intake was actually too close to the ground (has to be above snow level) and we had to  snorkel them up higher like a periscope. Some locations are a bitch what with swirling cold dry snow that get sucked in. The first thing we used to tell customers over the phone was to get a coat hanger and thrash it around inside the intake. Sometimes a fair piece up inside as it wasn't always visible.

    

   roger

1. 
   DANSW44 | Jan 21, 2008 06:09pm | #6

   So you think I should increase the height of the pipe, what about a 90 pointing dow or a 45 do you think any of these ideas will work.  It was installed to manufacturors specs. It seems that this is a common problem. 

1. 
   roger g | Jan 21, 2008 06:31pm | #9

   Yes it is a fairly common problem when light snow swirls around. Try playing with some fittings without glue and see what happens after all it is only used for intake air. If you have a fitting glued which you have to remove, cut the fitting off at the hub then cut the hub and try peeling off the remainder of the old hub.

    This problem might not happen again. Without seeing the location there might be something you can place nearby which makes the snow not swirl as much.

     The two pipes coming out (exhaust and intake) must be "in the same pressure zone" which is why they are close together.

    

   roger

6. 
   peteshlagor | Jan 21, 2008 06:18pm | #8

   What about sending the wife out there to shovel the snow from time to time?

    

1. 
   reinvent | Jan 21, 2008 06:59pm | #10

   I'm sure he would be happy to have Your wife come out and shovel for him. Just let him know how she likes her coffee.

1. 
   peteshlagor | Jan 21, 2008 08:02pm | #11

   I have enuff problems getting my wife to do the shoveling.  His is his problem.   I'm here to simply present the soluiton!

    

2. 
   frammer52 | Jan 22, 2008 07:10pm | #13

   just because you don't have control of your life, don't assume he doesn't