Cold water feed on Gas hot water tank

[storm62]

Hello all I was looking at my hot water tank and noticed at the top where the cold feed connects to the top of the tank there is another smaller copper line that is connected to the feed which goes out the side of the house next to the pressure relief pipe! Any ideas! If needed i can send a pic! Thanks so much! Mark

 

[storm62]

The pipe comes off cold water feed and goes out the wall like a drain next to pressure relief pipe drain!

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Jadnashua]

I think that is a drain port. When the valve is shut off, it opens that port to let the line drain. Not positive, though.

 

[Terry]

I have no idea. Can you track where it winds up?

 

[MACPLUMB]

That Ball valve has a thermal expansion built into it when the water pressure rises above the set point it opens and runs outside to relive the thermal expansion

 

[MACPLUMB]

I use to see them in Salt Lake City, Utah in new construction in place of expansion tanks

 

[storm62]

I have no idea. Can you track where it winds up?

It leaves the cold water feed and ends up outside just hanging next to pressure relief pipe..

 

[Jadnashua]

So, sounds like it has a built-in pressure relief valve...IMHO, it's not a good idea to regularly waste water, which is one reason why most places use an ET.

 

[storm62]

Thank you...