Page 211 - 12558 Drexler Builder Binder.pdf

INSTALLATION

BACKGROUND: Water expands when sult the valve manufacturer’s instruc-
heated, and the increased volume ons or a qualied person.

of water must have a place to go, or WARNING! Even if the water heater
thermal expansion will cause large thermostat is set to a rela vely low
increases in water pressure (despite temperature, hot water can scald.
the use of a Pressure Reducing Valve Install Thermosta c Mixing Valves at
on the home’s main water supply each point-of-use to reduce the risk of
line). The Safe Drinking Water Act of scalding (page 4).

1974 requires the use of backow Figure 6 - A suitable drain pan piped to an
preventers and check valves to restrict adequate drain can help protect flooring BACKGROUND: A Thermosta c Mix-
water from your home reentering from leaks and drips. ing Valve, installed at each point-
• Install a suitable drain pan (avail-

the public water system. Backow able at your local plumbing suppli- of-use, mixes hot water from the
preventers are o en installed in water er) under the water heater (Figure water heater with cold water to more
meters and may not be readily visible. 6) to catch condensation or leaks precisely regulate the temperature of

As a result, most all plumbing systems in the piping connections or tank. hot water supplied to xtures. If you
Most codes require, and we recom-
today are now “closed,” and almost all mend, installing the water heater aren’t sure if your plumbing system
homes now need a Thermal Expan- in a drain pan that is piped to an is equipped with properly installed
sion Tank. adequate drain. The drain pan must and adjusted Thermosta c Mixing
be at least two inches wider than Valves at each point where hot water
is used, contact a qualied person for
the diameter of the water heater.

INSTALLATION damage to the water heater, washing level would be limited to a maxi-
A Thermal Expansion Tank is a prac -
Install the drain pan so the water
more informa on.
cal and inexpensive way to help avoid
mum depth of 1-3/4”.
machine, dishwasher, ice maker and
Water tempera-
even toilet valves. If your toilet oc-
casionally runs for no apparent reason
(usually briey at night), that may be

due to thermal expansion increasing ture regula on
the water pressure temporarily.
Water pipe and tank
leaks

Leaks from plumbing pipes or from
the water heater itself can damage
property and could cause a re risk.

• Install an automatic leak detec-
tion and shutoff device (available
at your local plumbing supplier). Figure 7 - Thermostatic Mixing Valves
These devices can detect water installed at each point -of-use can help
prevent scalds.
leaks and can shut off the water
heater’s water supply if a leak Install Thermosta c Mixing Valves
occurs. (Figure 7) to regulate the temperature
of the water supplied to each point-
of-use (for example, kitchen sink,
bathroom sink, bath, shower). Con-

8 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide