Just an FYI there has been some false info spread about the platic venting that is currently in use.

NEW natural gas appliances namely High effeciency furnaces and power vented water heaters must use the SYSTEM 636 PVC venting system as of August 2007. Meaning all new installations and exchanges of appliances must use the new venting system.

Exsisting installations are not retroactive. But if an older venting system is found to be damaged,leaking or disconnected. Then a licenced gas fitter must replace the entire venting system with 636 venting. We are not allowed to repair an old system. It can be as simple as installing a new abs elbow or coupling but we are simply not allowed. Air intakes on furnaces dont fall under this code change. Older materials out there are various grades of ABS(black) CPVC and PVC(white or grey or dark grey)

The new venting is clearly marked with blue lettering and orange decals and uses a specific 636 primer and glue to assemble it..
http://www.ipexinc.com/Content/EN_CA/images/2_0/2_4/636_pvc.jpg

Bottom line is if your excisting appliances have ABS or PVC and are not leaking or cracked you are not required to replace them just because they are not 636. Your only required to change them during new appliance installs or when they are found to be leaking.

Typical charges i see for vent change out range from 150$-600$... In exteme cases where pipe in hiden in finished basements and its not pratical to cut open the ceiling owners can consult TSSA for a variance(although cutting open the ceiling would be faster and probably cheaper in the long run)

For official code info follow the TSSA link below.

http://www.tssa.org/CorpLibrary/ArticleFile.asp?Instance=136&ID=88393FD4893743329E2E1A0A9470C293

Timely information and much appreciated. About 6 weeks ago my wife said a door to door guy tried to convince her to have the piping upgraded. Since I wasn't around to listen to the conversation I can't state for a fact he was stating it was mandatory to have it done but that's the way my wife took it. She declined. I suppose a cold-caller could try to convince people to have it done as a safety factor.

Any idea if it's ok to paint these pipes either inside or outside the house? I just switched from heating oil to natural gas, and 636 pipes is what they used.

On the outside of the house I'd like to paint them light grey to match the exterior of the house and make them a little less noticeable. On the inside I'd like to paint them to make them look a little nicer - the cement the guys used is black, and they weren't shy with it, so all of the joints have a lot of black drips and runs around them. No big deal, but I'll have lots of leftover paint if I paint the little bits that are visible outdoors, so I might as well use it up to make the indoors sections look nicer.

I would not paint the indoor pipes. ITs very important that the orange warning labels are clearly visable to ensure the prope vent materials are being used. On the outside your probably ok to paint it. Perhaps just to be safe ensure the labels are not painted. This new system came out to address some real issues concerning the strength and safetly of previous non certified materials. So you want it to be 100% obvious to any licenced technician that may be in your home.

As for the glue, ya it sucks! Beleive me I ruined a shirt the first day i had to install the stuff. Both the glue and primer are just insanely runny and messy. Im pretty sure they made the new 636 glue colored so that it would be identifialbe in the field that the 636vent was glued using approved 636glue. PVC or ABS glues are clear or yellow and are not allowed to be used.


If the pipes bug you enough you can cover them with insulation like armaflex
http://www.a-f-insulation.com/documentViewer.php?title=AP%20Armaflex%20Pipe%20Insulation&pic1=foam-Armaflex-Pipe-Insulation