MushCreek
New Member
I'm working the rest of my way through my plumbing (new house), and I'm hooking up an electric water heater. My question concerns the T&P valve outlet and drain pan. The WH is in an unfinished (for now) basement. Since I'd like to eventually finish the basement, I'm putting the WH in a drain pan on a stand. This gives me enough height to pitch a drain pipe outside. The question concerns the outlet for the T&P valve. One book says to drain it into the pan; the other book says NEVER drain it into the pan! If I knew which of my three plumbing books to believe, I'd burn the other two, as they are filled with conflicting advice. I'd prefer to drain the T&P into the pan as opposed to dumping it on the floor- is this done? I could make a separate drain on the same drain pipe, if its against code to drain into the pan. Also, what is a good way to terminate the drain outside? A trap could freeze in the winter, but a plain pipe might become a highway for small critters. Thanks for any insight!