T&P piping

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 07/09/2014 10:12 AM EDT

An inspection today had two water heaters in the cellar. Both units had this elbow with the coiled tube hanging loose (open ended at the bottom) in the t&p piping run that went up and out the side of the home. Both units had the t&p valve installed at the tank. I have not run across this fitting yet.

Fitting is a moot point, the TPR slopes up. I'd ignore it as its not the main problem.

I agree with Glenn. I don't know what that weird fitting is, guessing some sort of drain to get rid of water that gets trapped.

Where does this device terminate? I think it's potentially very relevant.

Also were there multiple water heaters and was there a circulating pump in the system?

Nathan wrote:Where does this device terminate? I think it's potentially very relevant.

Also were there multiple water heaters and was there a circulating pump in the system?

There were two water heaters in the Cellar, each one had this fitting on it's own t&p piping run. Line terminates at outside wall. Piping goes up to get the discharge above ground level. No re-circ. pump installed.

Thank you Scot, I have your answer as to what this thing is and what it does:

The TPR extension in this picture runs uphill, which of course isn't permitted, but one of the reasons it isn't permitted is because water/moisture sitting on the TPR valve can cause it to fail in the closed position which could result in a tank explosion. Whoever installed the tubing here did so to alleviate that problem, and was a pretty knowledgable guy when it comes to the engineering side of these systems!

Even though the problem is alleviated, it still doesn't meet code, but it is functional! That being said, you made the right call. If it was my personal home, and there wasn't a convenient or cost effective way to run the extension appropriately, I might be okay with this solution...I'd still ask the seller to fix in a real estate transaction as a buyer.

Thanks for posting this. One of the more interesting inspection finds I've seen, and it will make it into a future presentation! You nearly stumped the warranty guy, and for that I thank you!

I ran across one of these in a laundry room located in the basement of the a home, I found out later that this set up was initially accepted by Arizona (plumbing code) back in the first days when they started installing TPR valves. When the water heaters where replaced, they were required to be updated with a TPR valve and line. since the basement had no drain, they allowed a riser to the roof and a 180 deg bend on the outlet to keep rain water out of the drain line. The coiled copper directed downward was required to be 3/8" and was there so you could see if the TPR was dripping and needed serviced. It was also intended to allow a 50% only flow into the basement and 50% to the roof in the event of a full discharge. If I can find the info to post I will. I have only come across this set up once and it was several years ago.

Rpbert Stewart wrote:I ran across one of these in a laundry room located in the basement of the a home, I found out later that this set up was initially accepted by Arizona (plumbing code) back in the first days when they started installing TPR valves. When the water heaters where replaced, they were required to be updated with a TPR valve and line. since the basement had no drain, they allowed a riser to the roof and a 180 deg bend on the outlet to keep rain water out of the drain line. The coiled copper directed downward was required to be 3/8" and was there so you could see if the TPR was dripping and needed serviced. It was also intended to allow a 50% only flow into the basement and 50% to the roof in the event of a full discharge. If I can find the info to post I will. I have only come across this set up once and it was several years ago.

Thanks for the additional information on this unique part, guys.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 07/18/2014 12:48 AM EDT

Allowed in my town. This is a special circumstance where the TPRV discharge is allowed to go up to find a way to the exterior and a 1/4 in line drains to the floor to keep the main drain line clear. I have seen this twice and have recommended it several times.

I have attached an approved drawing from my local jurisdiction for this installation. You may want to check with your local jurisdiction before calling it bad.

Can you post the verbiage rather than an attachment?

That's awesome! I applaud that municipality for the common sense approach.