Abs or pvc schedule 40 water heater down pipe


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Old 12-25-17, 05:00 AM
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Abs or pvc schedule 40 water heater down pipe

On an electric water heater can I use pvc as the downpipe to the pan?
The heater cobra with a plastic horizontal pipe that I'm supposed to connect to with a threaded connector and then glue the pipe but I've seen some posts saying it's not rated for the heat at 140F
 
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Old 12-25-17, 06:48 AM
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PVC is not rated for hot water use but this application is different.

Every unit that I have seen uses copper. CPVC is good for hot water.

There is probably a code the guys will comment on!
 
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Old 12-25-17, 08:13 AM
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They're all electric here so maybe not as hot? None of them in Canada have copper. Probably cpvc
 
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Old 12-25-17, 10:17 AM
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I find it odd that pvc is used in all waste outlets and you can run hot water from the faucet directly into them and pour cooking water in them but it's not rated for hot water. Presumably it's the continuous contact? A pressure relief valve is unlikely to open continuously is it?
 
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Old 12-25-17, 10:48 AM
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I don't know anything about codes in Canada but in the US the discharge piping from the T&P (safety) valve must be able to withstand the temperature of the water. That means either metal or CPVC. No ABS or PVC.
 
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Old 12-25-17, 01:01 PM
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To play it safe I would run 3/4" copper or CPVC. The drain line must be gravity fed (to the outside in California).
The PRV valve may never release but when it does you want the very hot water to exit as fast and easy as possible with no back pressure.
 
 

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