Marianne Martinez
Water heater drip pans are an important safety feature that can prevent water damage to your home. They are placed under the water heater to catch leaks and are especially useful when the water heater is located in an area where leakage can cause structural damage. While some municipalities require homeowners to install a drip pan, others mandate it based on the age of the house and water heater. Installing or replacing a drip pan typically involves detaching the water heater from its plumbing, electricity, and gas supply, and lifting or tilting it to slide the pan underneath. The process may be challenging due to the weight and location of the water heater, and it is recommended to have extra hands to help. After placing the pan, the water heater is repositioned, and the pipes are reattached. PVC fittings and cement are commonly used to ensure a proper seal for the drainage system.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to replace | Water heaters should be replaced when they begin to leak, before the tank bursts and floods the room |
| Water heater drip pan material | Metal, steel, aluminum, galvanized steel, zinc, plastic, PVC, rubber |
| Water heater drip pan size | 24" x 24" x 4", 30" x 30" x 6", 25.25" square, 24 square inches, 20922 drain pan |
| Installation process | Cut electric and water supply, drain water heater, detach pipes, lift heater, slide pan underneath, re-attach pipes, monitor for leaks |
| Number of people required | 1-3 people recommended |
| Cost | $1,100 for a plumber |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the water heater and drain pan
Preparing the water heater and drain pan involves several steps and requires caution. Firstly, cut the electric supply to the water heater. If your heater works on gas, ensure that you turn off the gas supply as well. Then, shut off the water supply by locating the water pipe and turning it off.
The next step is to drain the water heater of all water. This step must be done carefully, as the water could be hot. After draining the water, detach the pipes attached to the heater. Earthquake straps connected to the heater should also be removed.
Now, you can begin to lift the water heater. Depending on the size of your tank, you may need helpers for this step. With the water heater elevated, you can slide the drain pan underneath. If your drain pan has a detachable front, you can slide it under the heater and then rotate it accordingly. If not, you may need to lift the heater slightly higher to fit the pan underneath.
Once the pan is in place, gently lower the water heater back onto it. You can then connect the drain by attaching the piping to the drain pan. PVC fittings are often included with drain pans, and PVC cement can be used to glue the fixtures together. Ensure that the placement of the fittings facilitates the flow of water to the outdoors. A PVC strap will hold the pipe in place, so make sure to attach it. Finally, reattach all the pipes to the water heater.
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Lift the water heater and slide the pan underneath
Lifting and sliding a drip pan under a water heater is a challenging task. Before attempting to lift the water heater, it is important to prepare the work area and gather the necessary tools and materials. This includes cutting the electric supply to the water heater, turning off the gas supply if applicable, and shutting off the water supply. Detach the pipes connected to the heater, as they will make it difficult to lift the heater.
The next step is to drain the water heater of all water. This is important, as even an empty water heater will be heavy and awkward to lift. Depending on the size of the tank, you may need multiple people to help with the lifting. Once the water heater is drained, it is ready to be lifted.
To lift the water heater, you can use a variety of techniques. Some people suggest using a device such as a cinch n' lift magnetic handle to help with the lift. Others suggest squatting and doing a bear hug to lift the heater onto a platform. If you are working in a confined space, you may need to tip and roll the bottom edge of the water heater off its stand to access the pan.
With the water heater lifted, you can now slide the drip pan underneath. Ensure that the pan is oriented correctly, with the pan drain opening positioned where you want it. You may need to rotate the water heater to achieve the correct alignment. Once the pan is in place, gently lower the water heater back down into position on top of the pan.
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Position the pan and orientate the drain opening
Positioning the drip pan correctly is crucial to ensure it functions as intended. Before placing the water heater back into the pan, the pan drain opening should be oriented correctly with where you want it in reference to the water heater, not the floor. If you need to rotate the water heater once you set it down, the pan will likely rotate with it.
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. If it's further than 6 inches, opt for a rubber hose. A PVC pipe that extends too far from the water heater can be a tripping hazard and may be at risk of accidental damage.
To connect the drain, first tip the water heater towards you and "walk" it away so you can lift the back legs onto the wood behind the pan. Straighten the heater, then slide the pan into the circle. Now, tip the heater towards you again, resting the front legs in the pan, and walk it towards you until you can straighten it up and have all four legs in the pan.
Finally, attach the piping to the side of the water drain pan. Use good-quality PVC cement to glue the fixtures like elbows and couplings. Ensure the placement of the fittings facilitates the flow of water outdoors. A PVC strap will hold the pipe in place, so be sure to attach one. At the end of the pipe, add an elbow fitting so that it directs the water towards the ground.
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Reattach the water heater and connect the pipes
Once you have successfully lifted the water heater, placed the drip pan underneath it, and centred the drain, you can begin to reattach the water heater and connect the pipes.
First, gently rock or jiggle the water heater to get it, the pan, and the pan's drain centred and aligned. Next, reattach the water heater and the new pan's piping. Shark-Bite type fittings are perfect for water heaters. 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. The PVC cement melts the surface of the PVC, allowing the two surfaces to fuse together in a seamless, waterproof joint.
Look at the side of the water drain pan to locate the PVC fittings. This slot is provided to attach other fittings and pipes that will help dispose of the water collected in the pan. Use good-quality PVC cement to glue the fixtures like elbows and the couplings. Make sure that the placement of the fittings facilitates the flow of water to the outdoors. A PVC strap will hold the pipe in place, so make sure to attach one. At the end of the pipe, add an elbow fitting so that it drops the water towards the ground. All the pipes that were removed have to be attached back to the water heater.
If the water heater is within 6 inches of the drain, you can use a PVC pipe or a rubber hose for the drain line. If it's farther than 6 inches, use a rubber hose. A PVC pipe that extends out too far from the water heater can pose a tripping hazard and be at risk of accidental damage. Cut a piece of rubber hose or PVC pipe to fit the distance between the drain pan and the location where you're draining the water (floor drain or sump pit). Slide one end of the rubber hose over the fitting on the outside of the pan.
Finally, turn on the water heater and open the water and gas supply valves.
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Monitor the pan for leaks
Water heater tanks can weaken from rust and corrosion as they age, causing leaks and, in some cases, tank rupture. Therefore, it is important to regularly monitor the pan for leaks.
Even the best water heater drain pan won't be able to hold 50 gallons of water, so it's important to connect a drain pipe to catch water leaks no matter their severity. The drain line should be laid out to empty water into a floor drain or outdoors. If you don't have a floor drain, drain the water into a sump pit. If the water heater is within 6 inches of the drain, you can use a PVC pipe or a rubber hose for the drain line. If it's farther than 6 inches, use a rubber hose.
PVC fixtures should be fitted together with PVC primer and PVC cement to ensure a proper seal. The primer cleans the surface of the plastic and softens it, while the cement melts the surface of the PVC, allowing the two surfaces to fuse together in a seamless, waterproof joint.
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Frequently asked questions
First, cut the electric supply to the water heater, and if it works on gas, make sure to turn off the gas supply as well. Shut off the water supply to the water heater. Detach the pipes attached to the heater and drain the water. Now, lift the water heater up by about 3 inches and slide the new drip pan underneath. Position the pan so that the drain opening is oriented correctly. Set the water heater down into the pan and reattach the pipes.
Metal pans are most often made of steel or aluminium. Steel pans are the strongest but also the most expensive. Aluminium is a more affordable option without losing much durability. It is important to choose a pan with the right dimensions, with some extra space. An extra two inches of diameter is generally a safe choice. Deeper pans will contain larger leaks.
Many cities require homeowners to install a drip pan underneath their water heater. This is to prevent flooding in case of leaks. It is best to check your local building codes to see if a drip pan is required for your water heater.
You can use a drip pan with a detachable front. First, drain all the water from the heater. Then, slide the pan under the heater and rotate it so that the detachable side is towards the front. Now, lift the heater slightly and slide the rest of the pan underneath.
