Connecting a PVC pipe to a water heater drain pan helps prevent a leaky tank from flooding the floor under the water heater. Water heater drain pans are usually 2-inches deep and have a 1-inch diameter hole in the side. Connecting a PVC pipe to the hole diverts water from the drain pan to a floor drain or away from the house, depending upon the location of the water heater. A little planning is necessary before purchasing the PVC pipe.
Instructions
1. Plan the route of your water heater drain pan pipe. If you have a floor drain, measure from the pan to the drain with a tape measure. If no floor drain is available, plan a route that diverts the water outside of the home. If a hole is necessary in the wall, ensure there are no electrical wires inside the wall before making the hole. Cut a 1-inch diameter hole with an appropriate hole saw for the wall material.
2. Purchase the necessary 1-inch diameter PVC pipe and fittings necessary for the drain. The pan requires a threaded bushing to connect the pipe. The threaded bushing has male threads on one end and either female threads or no threads on the opposite end with a molded hex nut. It also comes with a securing nut. Purchase enough length of pipe and elbows as necessary for your run. Purchasing PVC primer and cement for gluing pipe together is also necessary.
3. Insert the male threaded end of the bushing through the hole from the outside of the drain pan. Thread the securing nut over the threads until tight. Tighten the nut fully with a pair of slip-joint pliers.
4. Cut and dry fit the pipe and elbows, starting at the bushing. The dry fitting process allows you to ensure the pipe and elbows connect securely and routes properly to the floor drain or outside. When cutting PVC pipe, make cuts as straight as possible with a hacksaw and remove any burrs with a fine file.
5. Take apart the pipe and elbows. Prime one end of straight pipe connecting to the bushing with the PVC primer. The applicator for the primer is on the cap of the can. Prime the inside of the bushing in the same manner.
6. Apply PVC pipe cement to the end of the pipe over the primer. The applicator for the cement is on the cap just like the primer applicator. Apply cement to the inside of the bushing.
7. Insert the pipe into the bushing, and twist it slightly until it seats fully into the bushing. Hold the pipe for 10 seconds to allow the cement to hold.
8. Continue the process of priming and gluing the elbows to the ends of pipe as necessary for your water heater drain pan run. Once the pipe is in place, any accidental leaks will drain away from the water heater and floor.
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