Cody Casey
Water heater pans are essential to prevent flooding due to water heater leaks or ruptures. Installing a water heater pan under an existing water heater can be challenging, requiring careful detachment of the heater from plumbing, electricity, and vents. The water heater tank should be drained and raised, allowing a new pan to be slid underneath. The pan must be positioned so that the water heater can be lowered into it, with the pipe sloping away from the pan. PVC primer and cement should be used to ensure a proper seal, and the pan should be regularly monitored for leaks.
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What You'll Learn
Empty the water heater
To empty your water heater, you should first turn off the cold water supply valve at the top of the heater. The valve will be clearly marked and should have a blue handle. If you have an electric heater, turn off the power at the breaker box. For a gas heater, turn the thermostat to the "pilot" setting.
Next, locate the tank's drain valve near the bottom of the tank. Some models may have a cover over the valve opening. Attach a standard garden hose to the valve and place the other end of the hose in a floor drain or outside, where it can drain safely. If you don't have a hose, buckets can be used, but be cautious of the hot water.
Open the drain valve and release the pressure by opening the pressure relief valve on top of the tank or a nearby hot water tap. This will let air in and help the tank to drain faster. Once the tank is empty, turn the cold water supply back on for a few minutes to flush out any remaining sediment. Then, let the tank drain again.
If your tank is clogged with sediment, you may need to take additional steps to clear the obstruction. You could try poking the opening with a wire, using a shop vac, or blowing air into the drain valve with a compressor.
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Detach the water heater from connections
Before you detach the water heater from its connections, ensure that the water heater is empty. It is important to drain the water heater of all water. Once this is done, you can proceed to detach the water heater from its connections.
First, confirm that the electric supply is off. Then, disconnect the wire from the thermostat on the water heater using a screwdriver. If your existing electric water heater setup is equipped with dielectric unions at the top of the tank, disconnect the cold water supply and hot water supply at the union using two adjustable wrenches or pipe wrenches. If the piping has been soldered into place, use a tubing cutter to cut the pipe. Remember to clean the pipe with Emery cloth before cutting the pipe, as this will make it easier to prepare for the solder connection later.
Next, using an adjustable wrench or pipe wrench, remove the overflow pipe and pressure release valve. You will need to reinstall this on the new unit. Now, you can remove the old water heater. Older water heaters fill with sediment over time, so be prepared for the water heater to be heavier than a new one.
Finally, slowly and gently tip and roll the bottom edge of the water heater off its stand. Be careful not to jerk or slam the water heater as you do this, as there is an Anode Rod and Dip tube inside that are attached only at the top. Once the water heater is detached from its connections and safely removed, you can proceed to install the new drain pan.
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Place the pan under the heater
To place the pan under the heater, you must first drain the water heater of all water. It is best if the tank is connected to the water supply pipes with flexible hoses, not soldered copper. Once drained, the tank is ready to be raised so that the pan can be slid underneath. Depending on the size of the tank, you may need help to lift it safely. For example, a single-family dwelling will likely use a 40 or 50-gallon tank, which will be awkward for two people to lift, so a third pair of hands to slide the pan underneath will be useful. It can be helpful to have some 2 x 4 or 4 x 4 blocking to support the tank, which can then be slowly removed as the pan is inserted.
If your water heater is raised on a stand or bricks, you will need to detach it from plumbing, electricity, and vents, and slowly and gently tip and roll the bottom edge of the heater off its stand. You will then need to determine the height of the new stand, allowing for at least 1/8" per foot drop or slope of the pan's pipe to your building exit point, floor drain, or sump basin.
If you are unable to detach the heater from the wall, you can use a Hi-Lift Jack to raise the heater and slide the pan underneath. Place cardboard between the jack post and the water heater jacket to protect the heater from damage, and use a short 2x4 below the jack lift to space the heater away from the jack. Remember to check the strap to ensure it does not put pressure on the drain valve or any other items that might damage the heater.
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Drill a hole in the drain pan
To plumb a water heater pan, you must first drain the water heater of all water. You should also ensure that the tank is disconnected from the water supply pipes, and if they are soldered copper pipes, you will need to call a plumber. Once the tank is empty, you can raise it and slide the drain pan underneath.
Now, if your water heater pan does not have a pre-cut hole, you will need to drill one. Put on your safety goggles and grab your drill with a hole saw bit attached. Carefully drill a hole at the marked centre of the pan's outline. The size of the hole will depend on the drain adapter; it should be between 1 and 1.5 inches.
The next step is to attach the PVC pipe to this hole. Measure the length of the pipe so that it reaches the nearest floor drain or an exterior area where the water can be safely discharged. Trim the pipe to the desired length using a saw or pipe cutter. Then, attach the PVC pipe to the hole in the pan using PVC cement, ensuring a tight seal.
Before placing your water heater back onto the pan, use a level to ensure that the pan is perfectly flat. This is crucial to prevent water from pooling and to enhance the pan's effectiveness.
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Monitor the pan for leaks
To monitor the pan for leaks, it is recommended to perform routine inspections and regular maintenance to catch leaks early on. The water heater pan, or drain pan, is located underneath the water heater and should ideally be dry. If you find water in the pan, it indicates a leak in the water heater. Leaks can be caused by a variety of issues, such as a leaky drain valve, internal tank damage due to sediment buildup, or internal corrosion.
To inspect for leaks, you can use a flashlight and a paper towel to check for water around the valve's outlet. If the leak is coming from the drain valve nozzle, try tightening the valve by hand before resorting to using a wrench. Open a hot water faucet inside the house to relieve pressure in the tank before attempting any repairs. If the leak persists, you may need to replace the valve.
Additionally, you can invest in water leak detectors and alarms designed specifically for water heaters. These detectors can provide early warning signs of leaks and help prevent water damage. Regular flushing and draining of your hot water heater can also prevent sediment buildup and reduce the risk of internal tank damage.
In some cases, you may need to enlist the help of a plumber or a friend to lift the water heater and inspect the pan for leaks. It is important to take safety precautions when handling the water heater, such as detaching it from plumbing, electricity, and vent connections before attempting to move it.
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Frequently asked questions
First, drain the water heater of all water and detach it from plumbing, electricity, and vents. Then, place the water heater on a jack and slowly tip and roll the bottom edge of the heater. Once you've determined the height of the new stand, place the drain pan in position and slowly lower the water heater into it.
If your water heater is on bricks, you will need to slowly tip and roll the bottom edge of the water heater off of its brick stand. You may want to enlist some helpers for this.
If your water heater is within 6 inches of the drain, you can use a PVC pipe or a rubber hose for the drain line.
Always use PVC primer and PVC cement when fitting together PVC fixtures to ensure a proper seal. The primer cleans the surface of the plastic and makes it softer, while the cement melts the surface of the PVC, allowing the two surfaces to fuse together.
As water heaters age, their tanks begin to corrode, which can cause leaks. It is important to regularly monitor the pan for leaks and replace the water heater when it begins to leak to prevent the tank from bursting and flooding the room.
