Matthew Hardy
New Member
I am working on a longer post with several items related to a install of a new AO Smith water heater, but hoping for a quick answer to a short question.
Our previous water heater had a 1" copper pipe from the T&P valve and a 1" copper pipe from the drain pan that tied together to a 1" copper pipe that drained to the outside. I live in Southern California and am almost positive that tying the two together is a no go especially since the pipe diameter is the same size as the two incoming pipes. We cannot discharge the T&P valve into the pan.
I have a 30" pan under the water heater that has a 1" PVC coupling for the drain pipe. I have always used copper for the drain pipe from the pan, but am wondering if 1) PVC is acceptable and 2) what the minimum pipe size allowed is.
I seem to remember 3/4" pipe being acceptable; however, I am wondering if the fact that the pan has a 1" outlet will require to maintain that size similar to not being able to downsize the T&P discharge pipe. Am planning on using an adapter to join a copper pipe for the discharge, but also wondering if PVC is 1) allowed and 2) viable since the water would be cooled once it sits in the pan.
Options are:
1) 1" PVC drain pipe
2) use a 3/4" reducing coupling to a 3/4" PVC drain pipe
3) using an adapter to connect a 1" copper pipe
4) using an adapter to connect a 3/4" copper pipe
Any help / recommendations are appreciated.
Our previous water heater had a 1" copper pipe from the T&P valve and a 1" copper pipe from the drain pan that tied together to a 1" copper pipe that drained to the outside. I live in Southern California and am almost positive that tying the two together is a no go especially since the pipe diameter is the same size as the two incoming pipes. We cannot discharge the T&P valve into the pan.
I have a 30" pan under the water heater that has a 1" PVC coupling for the drain pipe. I have always used copper for the drain pipe from the pan, but am wondering if 1) PVC is acceptable and 2) what the minimum pipe size allowed is.
I seem to remember 3/4" pipe being acceptable; however, I am wondering if the fact that the pan has a 1" outlet will require to maintain that size similar to not being able to downsize the T&P discharge pipe. Am planning on using an adapter to join a copper pipe for the discharge, but also wondering if PVC is 1) allowed and 2) viable since the water would be cooled once it sits in the pan.
Options are:
1) 1" PVC drain pipe
2) use a 3/4" reducing coupling to a 3/4" PVC drain pipe
3) using an adapter to connect a 1" copper pipe
4) using an adapter to connect a 3/4" copper pipe
Any help / recommendations are appreciated.