Pressure Valve Question(s)

[Gytaryst]

I'm thinking about replacing my water heater DIY. Looks like a straight forward project except for the release valve. The existing tank is 44" tall with the valve on top. The copper pipe comes straight out about 10", then a 90 degree elbow down about 6"and another 90 degree elbow to the wall, maybe another 6". Pretty easy.

The new tank is 50" tall and the release valve is on the side, pointing down. So I have to come out of the tank downward, go around the tank, then go back up. Seems like a lot of pipe and elbows.

Can I use a U joint coming out of the tank to go up over?

 

[Twowaxhack]

No, that is not allowed. The relief piping must not be trapped.

Remove the T&p valve then reinstall with it pointing horizontal. Does this help you ?

You can use 45’s to pipe it around the heater. Or possible run a new relief.....

Or cut the wall open and lower the pipe in the wall.

Check to see if the manufacture has provided an optional relief valve installation location on top of the heater.

Raise the heater......

What’s your best option ? I don’t know.

Maybe find a heater that suits your install conditions better. That’s what I do.

 

[FishScreener]

IIRC, you are only supposed to have one fitting after the valve. You can then run from the now code required capture pan with whatever configuration of drain you need to.

The purpose of the temperature pressure relief valve is to allow th water heater to dump water if thermostat fails and the tank starts overheating/pressurizing. There is a video on YouTube of Myth Buster running a water heater with the thermostat bypassed, and the TPV port plugged.

Every bend in that line causes a pressure restriction for the water which you really want to get out of there fast.

And thre discharge needs to go to somewhere that is seen regularly so that if you have a leaking valve the occupants will notice it.

 

[Twowaxhack]

IIRC, you are only supposed to have one fitting after the valve. You can then run from the now code required capture pan with whatever configuration of drain you need to.

The purpose of the temperature pressure relief valve is to allow th water heater to dump water if thermostat fails and the tank starts overheating/pressurizing. There is a video on YouTube of Myth Buster running a water heater with the thermostat bypassed, and the TPV port plugged.

Every bend in that line causes a pressure restriction for the water which you really want to get out of there fast.

I find it would be hard to pipe all my relief lines with one fitting, that being the male adapter use to connect to the thing......

Glad we don’t have to deal with that ignorance here.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Here is the city of Phoenix take on the OP’s exact problem with suggestions.

https://www.phoenix.gov/housing/section-8-resources/inspections/water-heater-information