I'm putting in new hot water tank. I noticed a little rust around base of last one. Would it be OK to put something like hockey pucks under the tank so any moisture or condensation doesn't sit in direct contact with the tank. It would also enable me to see if any puddles are forming under the tank. Just an idea because I see a lot of tanks sitting directly on top of pan and a little rust forming.
Elevate water heater tank
- Thread starter Bangon61
- Start date
pretty much anything will be fine , especially if it is rot resistant
I believe that is only required in garages.
fitter30
Well-known member
Pvc pipe cut 1" in length use at least 1.5" or larger.
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manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Yes, in a garage or other area where flammables might be stored. Some gas heaters are rated for installation at floor level. Bradford White makes one called the Defender. I had a hell of time convincing the moronic home inspector and the plumber they called in on the sale of our last house. They just flatly refused to read the manual or the web site.
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Steve W.
Well-known member
But what about us weirdos that DO have a garage, but DON'T have a basement?Only for you weirdos that put them in the garage instead of the basement
Solved the "tank" problem several years ago by going "tankless".
.
manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
It's part of the latest remodeling fad...Only for you weirdos that put them in the garage instead of the basement
See? There's another term I don't understand..... When some of you say "basement" or "snow".... Or, "season"...Only for you weirdos that put them in the garage instead of the basement
billconner
Well-known member
This has been discussed here before and iirc all WH made inat least last 10 to 15 years have the design which allows them to sit on garage floor.
manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Well, if that's the case I sure wish plumbers and home inspectors would get the memo...
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
What is the design to allow it? My WH is elevated and when I take the cover off, I see open flame
billconner
Well-known member
They're called "flammable vapor ignition-resistant" water heaters. Google it. As I read codes there is an exception to them bring elevated 18" in garages. I thought that all gas water heaters produced in last 10-15 years were FVIR. Introduced in 2003. I find sources saying all were FVIR in 2015. Thought it was around 2006 but not finding that citation now.
billconner
Well-known member
previous thread on this:
www.garagejournal.com
Home electric water heater replacement
My water heater hasn't yet failed, but it is 16 years old and I'd prefer to do it before I have a leak to deal with. It is located in my garage, in a small (22" x 22") alcove in the corner. The opening is 1/2" wider than the water heater. The only water heaters I can find locally are...
www.garagejournal.com
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thanks. Mine was installed in 2021, so I'll take a look at this later
niget2002
Well-known member
Last I checked (but I could be wrong), local code requires them to be elevated. It has nothing to do with how the water heater is designed. Mine's an electric water heater and it was still installed 18" off the ground.
acer66
Well-known member
What are people called that have no basement because the whole house is on a slap and therefore put it in the garage?Only for you weirdos that put them in the garage instead of the basement
manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The IRC has an exception for appliances that are listed as flammable vapor ignition-resistant. Local codes could be different I expect.
I'm a fan of elevating, even slightly, all water heaters. If one is to do regular maintenance it makes it possible to drain scale and sediment with a garden hose. Some electric heaters have the valve at the floor level, some so close you can't even get a hose on there, let alone to get it to drain without creating a mess. Heavy forbid you need to try and clear a clog of sediment. Be nice if new heaters came with a ball valve instead of a boiler drain.
billconner
Well-known member
Don't know what jurisdiction you are in but it seems most of Texas uses either the 2018 or 2021 edition of IRC and both have the FVIR exception. No telling what a local jurisdiction may do.
niget2002
Well-known member
Good to know.
luvtheheat
Well-known member
I put my water heater (one each electric/gas) on a disc of plywood matching the size of the heater.
Works fine.
But I'm in AZ, not BC. YMMV.
Works fine.
But I'm in AZ, not BC. YMMV.
Dragfluid
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'm going to injure you.See? There's another term I don't understand..... When some of you say "basement" or "snow".... Or, "season"...
Dragfluid
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Is that just for water heaters, or also for hot water heaters?
Dragfluid
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You have a slap happy house?
billconner
Well-known member
I'd say it's for water heaters. Here's the code:
P2801.6 Water heaters installed in garages.
Water heaters having an ignition source shall be elevated such that the source of ignition is not less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the garage floor.
Exception: Elevation of the ignition source is not required for appliances that are listed as flammable vapor ignition-resistant.
And here's the code definition of water heater:
[MP]WATER HEATER. Any heating appliance or equipment that heats potable water and supplies such water to the potable hot water distribution system. For the definition applicable in Chapter 24, see Section G2403.
See? There's another term I don't understand..... When some of you say "basement" or "snow".... Or, "season"...
Oooh, ooooh.... My turn....
If you have hot water, why do you need a heater for it?
He's in Minnesota. You need a water heater for the cold water half the year.Oooh, ooooh.... My turn....
If you have hot water, why do you need a heater for it?
75gmck25
Well-known member
I'm surprised nobody commented about the photo in post #2 having no drip pan and drain under water heater. When it eventually starts to leak, or the pressure relief valve pops, I guess the water runs to a drain somewhere.
The last two I installed in damp basements, I put them on a big concrete paver supported by bricks. That way it has a nice smooth concrete platform, and the bricks allow air to circulate under it to keep it from wicking moisture out of the basement floor. Like this:
Post #2 is my water heater. Really no reason for a pan. If it leaks the water will run over to the floor drain, no big deal.
Chuckster in NJ
Well-known member
Looks good except the T&P drain pipe is missing……… Pipe must terminate within 6” maximum off the floor.The last two I installed in damp basements, I put them on a big concrete paver supported by bricks. That way it has a nice smooth concrete platform, and the bricks allow air to circulate under it to keep it from wicking moisture out of the basement floor. Like this:
Thanks. The water heater is actually not connected at all in that picture. It's just sitting there. It has the T&P pipe now.