Water heaters are essential for all homes and generally require less maintenance as compared to other major appliances such as furnaces and air conditioners. However, water heaters that are not monitored can eventually leak and cause disastrous conditions. The average life expectancy of a water heater is approximately 6-12 years. Many homes contain water heaters that are much older. An often overlooked and simple safety installation for a water heater is a water heater drain pan.
Water heaters can leak for a variety of reasons. Older water heaters often develop internal rust and corrosion that can eventually exit through cracks in the tank. The water lines for the water heater can also corrode over time and break or leak. Additionally, water heater drain valves can become loose and cause leaks. Water heater leaks often go unnoticed and can cause serious damage. Water heater leaks can damage the subfloor and floor framing and can eventually cause the floor to sag or even collapse. This can result in costly repairs.
A drain pan should be installed under a water heater if the water heater is installed in an area of the home where leaks could cause damage to the underlying components. Generally, this is any space within the home where the floor is not comprised of a concrete slab.
A water heater drain pan is a circular or square shallow tub in which the water heater is placed. Typically, the pan should be at least 2 inches wider that the circumference of the water heater. These pans come with a small hole in the side where the drain pan drain line should be installed. A PVC pipe is inserted into the hole in the drain pan and plumbed to a nearby drain or at the home’s exterior. Once the pan fills to the point where the drain line penetrates the pan, water will safely drain to a proper location.
Drain pans are generally part of an overall water heater installation for newer water heaters. However, they can also be installed under existing water heaters. This process is more labor intensive as the water heater must be disconnect and temporarily removed to allow the pan to be inserted underneath.
Water heater drain pans are relatively inexpensive and can save a homeowner from costly repairs. We recommend determining the presence of a water heater drain pan in your home. If this component is missing, you should contact a qualified plumbing contractor to have one installed.