Blow Off Tube ?

petros151

I had an inspector come to see my house for my town, I was not present, I got a note saying that the pressure relief valve on my hot water heater needs to have a "Blow Off Tube" Anyone know what that is? Obviously it is a tube that comes off the valve, the valve has threading inside the opening BTW


I could always but hate to ask the inspector you know best to just get it done and say "it's done"

so what do I need ????

thanks!

joecaption

Is the water heater sitting in a pan?
There's suppost to be a tube that goes from the relief valve to the pan.

TheEplumber

There a several ways to pipe a relief line. Your local code will dictate the guide lines. Best to call the inspector and get clarification.
Sometimes a pipe from the relief to within 6" of the floor is adequate. Sometimes it needs to go to a floor drain or the exterior. Type of pipe to use is copper, galv iron or cpvc. Do not use pex or pvc

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petros151

no the heater is sitting on a concrete base nothing under it... so what now?

Ishmael

Here in MA, code says the tube has to be within 12" of the floor. But as The Eplumber said, it really only matters what your local code (and inspector) says. Maybe it needs to be within 6"; or be extended to the outside etc, etc etc...

Get clarification from "The Man".

If the inspector didn't say anything about a pan, then you aren't required to have one. Again, in my state, a pan is only required where there is living space below the water heater. No pan necessary in a garage or a basement. PA may be different, but it sounds like he only cited you for the blow-off tube, not a pan, correct?

petros151

right he mentioned only the tube. I guess I"ll call a local plumber and ask them...but I get the main jist a tube needs to extend down some length or other-- now what type of tube will connect to the inside threads of the valve?

ben's plumbing

just install 3/4" pipe from tpr valve to within 4"of floor...that will be good.......type...copper or plastic...ben sr

jagans

Usually a 3/4 inch male to sweat adapter. The tube should be down to 6 inches from the floor in most cases but why speculate? Call the code official and do it right the first time, He does not bite.


I just heard about the tragic shooting in Conn. God is my heart out to those poor poor parents. What in Gods name is this world coming to?