I am replacing a Hot water heater in my residence. The heater is in an unfinished basement, slightly below grade (2'), separated from the garage by a fire wall. I already have a 3" high platform for the new heater.

I spoke with an inspector and he said that I needed to exhaust the pressure relief valve to the outside.

From the heater's current location, I need to run a pipe up and over a door and out through the exterior wall.

Can I run the pipe above the level of the hot water heater to exhaust it outside?

I assume that the pressureized water would easily flow uphill a little ways.


-STan

1)No you can't go up hill with that line

2) I have never had an inspector ask me to exhaust the pressure relief valve to the outside.

Let's see - freezing weather causes ice blockage in the relief valve discharge line.
Kabooom!

Are they really allowed to dream-up
their own little pet requirements or, do they have to follow well thought-out,
approved and published standards?!?

Thanks for your reply.

The inspector said to vent the pressure relief valve in order to meet local code in the absence of drain in the basement.

Would a sump pump suffice?

I hesitate to have a drain installed in a basement that hasn't leaked.

-Stan

1. Yes, the pressure will force the water over the doorway, but the water remaining in the riser going up over the doorway will corrode the mechanism in the relief valve and cause it to become inoperable, destroying its function as a safety device.
2. In this area the inspectors require every discharge line to be piped outdoors, or to a floor drain with a 1" air gap, which makes it a tripping hazard if done properly.

Lte's see. Freezing weather and the line is piped to the outside. Relief discharge is piped properly with 1/4" pitch and no traps. Eureka! Any water in the line drains out so it cannot freeze. What a great idea, and no flood in the basement if there is not a floor drain near the water heater.

In this area the plumbing inspector would be quoting the code properly.

Thanks folks,

I now have a plan to move the water outside which doesn't require the water to move uphill from the valve.

I'm in Albany, California, BTW. The last time we had freezing weather was a two day stretch in 1991. This freeze burst the exterior (uninsulated) pipes in many homes pipes burst in some homes with crawlspace water piping.


Cheers,

-Stan

by code draining a RV out side still calls for an air gap