Water Heaters - New water heater & drain pan (merged threads)

I just purchased a new electric hot water heater. The
relief valve that came with the new water heater is
installed 180 degrees different from the orginal water
heater. As such the drain pipe does not line up as it
did with the old water heater. Is it allowed to use copper
45 or 90 degree fittings to line up the pressure relief valve
on the new water heater with the existing drain pipe. The
existing drain pipe is installed in the concrete floor in my
garage running to the outside so replacing it is not an
option. Thanks for any help anyone can give me. I might
add I tried to turn the relief valve on the new water
heater with my pipe wrench but I was afraid I might
break something if I put to much pressure on it.

Larry

Welcome Larry to the Water Heaters topic.

I am not aware of any codes or reasons why a pressure relief drain line cannot have a discharge line with elbows, etc in it. Could be wrong but doubt it.

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I would go ahead and use what you need to make the connection. A few extra elbows or 45's will cause no harm. Sometimes local codes can be a bit strange. In such places the code has more to do with preference rather than safety.
I too, would be hesitant to tighten that T&P any more. They are usually about as tight as you would want it when it leaves the factory.

This probably sounds like a foolish question. I added a drain pan to my
new water heater. It was recommended I get a pan that is a least 2"
larger than the diameter of my water heater. I have a 22" diameter
water heater and bought a 26" diameter pan. However I find that I
cannot access the water heater drain valve with my hose when the
water heater sits in the middle of the pan. Is there any specific
way to run the pan drain? I thought about tieing it in with my TPV
however thought that maybe when I test the TPV it might back wash
back up into the pan drain. Am I missing something here. Does the pan
drain have requirements. Any help sure would be appreciated. Thanks

Larry

The T/P valve can have elbows. The only code related item I can think of is that it cannot be reduced in size from the T/P to where it ends.
The drain pan size is more to make sure it catches the water than an actual code issue. Never heard of any "requirements" on catch pans. I would not tie into the relief valve piping.

I believe that there is code requirement that the TP discharge cannot go to the drain pan. Most localities require that it terminate outside the structure, at a height 6" to 12" above grade ( these numbers vary)