With the impending storm "Sandy" we thought we would share the importance in making sure that your furnace vent pipes are clear of any and all obstructions. This also includes water (flooding).

This is especially pertinent to the high efficiency furnaces (90% efficiency and/or greater). Many of these systems will be vented out of the side of a home. These can easily be identified by white PVC piping. Also, to add to this catagory is the direct vented water heaters (high efficiency).

If flood water enters these pipes it may cause your furnace and/or water heater not to operate.

I have a client down at the Jersey shore which has pipes low to the ground. I replaced his furnace last year after after "Irene" as saltwater, seaweed, wood, shells, sand entered his furnace. This was all cleaned out well but the saltwater destroyed much of the unit. I called him yesterday to advise him to seal up these two pipes but he was not down there. I am certain that this one year old unit is going to be damaged.

If you think you are vulnerableto this, you can either seal up the pipes until the water has receded or extend them up above projected water levels.