Water Heater Overpressure Line

[mattthew279]

Not sure of the actual name, but I'm talking about the connection that is required to have a line ending no higher than 6" off the floor. I have a wider hot water heater and all the preassembled drain lines at the store will not fit on my heater. I thought about making one from copper, but I was wondering if it would be against code to just connect a regular water hose, run it to within 6 inches of the floor, cut it, and then somehow clamp it in place? I could care less about having the drain line, but just want something so it won't get written up during a home inspection when I sell.

[AllanJ]

If the water heater relief valve opens under pressure, hot water and steam could soften or dislodge a hose and make it flop around and the hot water could go all over and hit somebody, The rigid pipe is needed so any discharge is directed at the floor only.

Be aware that, by the time the valve opens, pressure inside the tank could be such that the hot water is over 212 degrees F.

[mattthew279]

I don't disagree at all, but I was just curious if that was something that would be written up during a home inspection. My water heater is out in my garage and it's also brand new, so I'm not all that concerned about having the pipe. I was wondering if it specified anywhere that it must be copper or cpvc or something.

[mrikking]

A good Home inspector should find this and write it up. Go with the copper. Your local HomeDepot should cary some presoldered connections for copper piping makes quick work of this task. Just remember to still clean and Flux the pipe and connector before heating to release solder and seal joint.