Water condensation in furnace flue vent

Hi, We recently purchased a Condo in a Brooklyn building with 6 units. The building was gutted and renovated in 2010\. After we moved in 3 months ago, we developed a wet spot on the basement duct. A HVAC-specialist came and assessed that the flue from the furnace to the exhaust is too long, and that the steam cools down on the way and produces condensation, which then drips on the sheetrock under the flue and through. He suggested replacing the furnace with a more powerful one and the flue with a pvc-flue. His estimate for the job was between $ 6000 and $ 9000\. Did anybody experience something similar and have suggestions that are perhaps less costly? Thank you

michaelsaur67

in About Brooklyn 10 years and 7 months ago

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resident2 | 10 years and 7 months ago

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Then hire an Attorney quick, before the time limit expires.

michaelsaur67 | 10 years and 7 months ago

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The HVAC-specialist pointed out the unit and its fues are built against building code. According to the Condo plan, the sponsor is then liable.

resident2 | 10 years and 7 months ago

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Check your Condo Plan; if it is less than seven years from the sign offs, to see if it falls under the Sponsors ‘warranties” for structural & mechanical soundness.

steam_man | 10 years and 7 months ago

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The thing with condensing boilers and furnaces is that the flue gasses do exactly that..condense water vapor. So the point MP makes about a damaged unit not withstanding, installing a CPVC or SS flue is very good as it will save the flue from rotting but it won’t solve the underlying issue. That is if I understand the underlying issue to be the flue length being too long. So that needs to be addressed. The other thing that needs to be there is a drain which is typically a tee installed on the flue where it leaves the appliance (furnace in this case). The tee drains condensate into a tube with a trap and then into a condensate neutralizer before it goes, ultimately, into your floor drain. Sounds like low bid might have won again. Sorry, but these are the things that need to be looked at to solve the issues: 1.Change the flue pipe material. 2.Make sure a trapped drain and neutralizer is in place. 3.Check flue length against manufacturer’s specs (don’t forget to figure in equivalent lengths for elbows and 45s) 4.Replace damaged components…

Master Plvmber | 10 years and 7 months ago

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I can’t imagine recommending a “more powerful” furnace to control flue condensation. The furnace needs to be sized to heat the space efficiently and the flue materials have to be chosen to handle the potential to convey condensed flue gases. I’d start with a new ©PVC or stainless steel flue and see if that doesn’t take care of the problem. On the other hand, if the water in the flue caused damage to the furnace then you’d be right to replace the unit.

michaelsaur67 | 10 years and 7 months ago

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this is a furnace for hot air ducts.

Master Plvmber | 10 years and 7 months ago

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Is this a furnace for hot air ducts or a boiler for radiators?