Can I add a pan under my water heater myself, or do I need a plummer to do it?

Question

We recently bought a house and the water heater (located inside the house) doesn't have a pan underneath it. I've been told it would be easiest just to have the pan added when we replace the heater, but the heater is only 3 years old, so I don't anticipate replacing it anytime soon. Is there an easy way that we can put the pan under it ourselves, or will we need a plummer to come unhook the whole thing and move it to add a pan?

Answer 1

Well, the pan needs to drain somewhere, plus the pipes connecting the water heater may not flex enough to allow the water heater to be raised for the pan. The safe bet would be to have a plumber install the pan with proper drain.

Did the house pass inspection with no drain pan under the heater? I would check on that as most codes require it now.

Answer 2

its almost imposible to put a pan under it unless you disconnect all the plumbing and remove all the water from the water heater, if you don't you could brake a line and have a real problem with messed up floors and walls. or you can pull you back because water weights 8 pounds for ever gallon. so it would be easier to wait intill you replace it. if it does leak you probably need a new one anyway.

Answer 3

If you had a pan under it, where would you connect it's drain line to? The safety over temperature relief valve drain line should be connected to a drain, and probably isn't. Usually water heaters give you plenty of warning when they start leaking. You could turn it's circuit breaker off when you go on vacation and turn off the main water line valve. I always turn my main water valve off when I go on vacation.

Answer 4

I would replace the water heater and then have it plumbed correctly. A water heater only works efficiently for a couple of years befoer it gets caked up and has to work harder.

Answer 5

It's your call. If you're handy it's not that difficult. When you repipe, use the stainless stell, braided flex connectors. They'll make it easier. But I wouldn't worry about it if it's not located where it could do no harm if it did leak, such as a basement.

Answer 6

If you really feel strongly about having one, and want to avoid any water damage to your home, have licensed plumber do it for you.