Single Wall Furnace/Water Heater Vent Through Wall To Chimney

[DPugh]

The vent for the water heater and furnace (about 20 years old) in my daughter's house travels about 12 feet of 5" single wall pipe through the basement and then through the wall to a chimney. From looking at the connection at the wall, I think there is a flexible line up through the chimney.  Previous owners did some finishing of the basement but left the area around the pipe open (see picture). Because of the age of the furnace she knows she will be replacing it with high efficiency in the next five years. She would like to finish off the wall, using a thimble or something similar to create a more finished look. I've been researching options, and I think code requires 6" to anything combustible. I can't find a thimble with any more than about 2" of clearance. If I replace with type b, could I replace just the angle and connection or would I have to go all the way back to the furnace or where the furnace and water heater vents join? Could I just cut a 5" hole in a 18x18 sheet of decorative aluminum and attach it to the wall?

She had an inspection earlier from a licensed HVAC person when she moved and he wasn't concerned about the current setup, but the more I research the more dangerous even the current setup looks to me. I don't want to start messing with it and make it dangerous.

Thanks for any and all help.

[Trent Tarter]

How about making a two piece sheet metal cover to fit around pipe and cover opening, you could wrap with some trim for a more finished look. 

[Bill Kibbel]

The "licensed HVAC person" needs some training.  Like a majority of vent connectors I see, it is incorrectly installed.  Assuming this is gas-fired equipment:

• In addition to the 6" clearance to the framing at the wall opening,  the same clearance is needed to the wall surface for the entire length of the pipe pictured.
• 12 feet is too long for a 5" vent connector.
• I can't see how the furnace and water heater vents are combined into the single, single-walled pipe - it can be done, but it's likely wrong.

Get someone competent to correct these issues, check for others and install a B-vent system.  They can also install a firestop collar from the vent manufacturer at the wall opening.

[ejager]

Is it safe to paint vent piping?

[Marc]

Hart & Cooley says you can, with some conditions. http://www.hartandcooley.com/articles/can-i-paint-my-b-vent

[ejager]

Good catch Mark....

Is it safe to paint single wall vent piping?