Blown Water Heater...FLOOD

[Thibault]

I need some serious help!

My water heater blew and flooded my entire house. This was because the drain was not big enough to accommodate the water heater emergency drain and the furnace condensate. I live in a condo. How do I find out if it was built to code? Where do you look up city codes (I live in Sterling Heights, MI)?

[BOA]

Google is your friend...

http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/building-codes/michigan/sterling-heights/

[suemarkp]

Can you further describe what happened to the water heater? Did the temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve on top open up, the drain c o c k leak, or did it literally blow and water came out of the tank through a crack?

Also, what year was your condo built (that will help indicate what codes were in effect at the time).

I believe it is a code requirement (if not, it is at least common practice) to route the T&P overflow outside via a pipe. I'm not so sure there is a requirement to handle a ruptured tank. I'd also check your washing machine -- a blown hot or cold hose is a common failure. If you have a drip pan, that may help catch most of it. But how big is the drain out of it, and is it clear or clogged with lint and crud?