I replaced a gas water heater this weekend. I also replaced the expansion tank. There was something I did not recognize. There was a pipe that was routed to a tee near the fitting for the expansion tank. The pipe runs down the wall and has a ball valve then the pipe is coupled to this brass thing (strainer?) and the outlet of the strainer thing simply dumps into a drain. Does anyone recognize this kind of fitting?
The hot water heater pressure relief valve is piped to the drain. The safety pan is piped to the drain. Why is this 3rd pipe also piped to the drain?
Pressure relief for cold side? Just a guess. To prevent from ever bursting the Expansion tank? Just a guess tho. But the BV I really dont get? It just goes the the drain and open?
Yes, it just goes into an open drain. I don't remember whether the ball valve was open or closed when we started the job. That pipe did not allow any water to flow into the drain with the ball valve open or closed. It does nothing right now. But the expansion tank is new and operating normally. The ball valve is open now but I'm questioning whether it should be closed.
It's the next door neighbor's house so I can just go over and close it - assuming it should be closed.
never seen that application,, a trap primer but sound about right.
i was about to say that it looked like a vacuum break but that would allow full flow from an open BV.
my boss thinks its possible to repeal the laws of physics
Thanks, that's a very clever thing. Glad I guessed and left the ball valve open. I figured it was some sort of safety device at the time. I was not thinking about trap priming - since I did not know these devices existed.
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Originally Posted by Guyinfield
