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Residen al Standard Gas Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 15
INSTALLATION
Residen al Standard Gas Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 15
INSTALLATION
the use of a Pressure Reducing Valve
in the home’s main water supply line).
The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974
requires the use of backfl ow preven-
ters and check valves to restrict water
from your home reentering the public
water system. Backfl ow preventers are
o en installed in water meters and
may not be readily visible. As a result,
most all plumbing systems today are
now “closed,” and almost all homes
now need a Thermal Expansion Tank.
A Thermal Expansion Tank is a prac -
cal and inexpensive way to help avoid
damage to the water heater, washing
machine, dishwasher, ice maker, and
even toilet valves. If your toilet oc-
casionally runs for no apparent reason
(usually briefl y at night), that may be
due to thermal expansion increasing
the water pressure temporarily.
✓
Water Pipe and
Tank Leaks
Figure 14 - A metal drain pan piped to an ad-
equate drain can help protect flooring from leaks
and drips.
Leaks from plumbing pipes or from the
water heater itself can damage prop-
erty and could cause a fi re risk.
• Install an automa c leak detec on
and shutoff device ( available from
Lowe’s®). These devices can detect
water leaks and can shut off the
water heater’s water supply if a leak
occurs.
• Install a metal drain pan (available
from Lowe’s® ) under the water heat-
er to catch condensa on or leaks
from the piping connec ons or tank.
Most codes require, and we recom-
mend, installing the water heater in
a metal drain pan that is piped to an
adequate drain. The drain pan must
be at least two inches wider than
the diameter of the water heater.
Install the drain pan so the water
level would be limited to a maximum
depth of 1-3/4”. The pan must not
restrict air fl ow to the burner.
✓
Water Tempera-
ture Regula on
Install Thermosta c Mixing Valves to
regulate the temperature of the water
supplied to each point-of-use (for
example, kitchen sink, bathroom sink,
bath, shower). Install and adjust the
mixing valve according to its manufac-
turer’s instruc ons.
WARNING! Even if the water
heater’s thermostat is set to a rela-
vely low temperature, hot water can
scald. Install Thermosta c Mixing
Valves at each point-of-use to reduce
the risk of scalding.
Figure 15 - Thermostatic Mixing Valves installed
at each point-of-use can help avoid scalding
BACKGROUND: A Thermosta c Mixing
Valve, installed at each point-of-use,
mixes hot water from the water heater
with cold water to more precisely
regulate the temperature of hot water
supplied to fi xtures. If you aren’t sure
if your plumbing system is equipped
with properly installed and adjusted
Thermosta c Mixing Valves at each
point where hot water is used, contact
a qualifi ed person.
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