TPR valve and discharge piping type

[PDubs]

We have an older house (built 1977) with a water heater located inside a cabinet in the garage. Looking at the TPR valve, there is flexible copper pipe connecting one end of the TPR valve and the other end is connected to regular SCH40 PVC. Everything I have been reading indicates it should be connected to CPVC but the issue I have is that the existing PVC drops straight down and then 90 degrees outside the span of the garage so I cannot access all of the PVC piping to replace it.

Do I have any options or leave as-is?

 

[Beni]

Hum.. So is the TPR valve connected to the hot water tank or to piping??? The inlet of the TPR valve should be connected to the hot water tank directly without any extra piping between it and the tank. The temperature element should extend into the tank.

While PVC is not pressure rated for hot water, if the pipe is open at the bottom, that is not pressurized, then it would probably be ok as the pipe would not be pressurized. CPVC or copper would be better and code approved, but if it were mine, I'd leave it be.

 

[PDubs]

Water heater TPR valve is directly connected to flexible copper pipe. The other end of the same flexible copper pipe is connected to PVC pipe that disappears behind some gypsum, which then empties to the outside of the house. Previously this was all connected together in one, seamless connection similar to attached image.

 

[Beni]

As long as the corrugated copper tubing is the same inside diameter as the relief valve which is 3/4" it should be fine. Not as clean as I would like it but ok..

 

[stevemachine]

Only thing is doesnt PVC have a pretty low melting point? I think almost any plastic could melt if the water is coming out at 210 Fahrenheit. But if its not accessible I'd probably just leave it be myself.

 

[Beni]

Well the PVC would get softer, but would not melt at 210 F. It would not work at all in a pressurized line but with an open end and for intermittent usage, it should be fine.