I'm inspecting a house and found a water heater installation I've never seen before.
The pressure relief valve is on top of the water heater, and it has an IN and OUT.
The gas line is connected to the IN, and the OUT goes to the water heater manifold.:eek:
Can this be right? Normally I see a P&T valve with just a discharge to connect the overflow pipe to.

Anyone see this before? Is it code for residential?

Thanks

Yes, it is nothing unusual. Some plumbers install it this way in some parts of the country. We don't because Code doesn't require us to...

Why is it plumbed that way ? Well if your T&P valve releases water because of high water pressure or high temperature, it kills the gas supply. It is installed that way for safety reasons. If you call Sears to install your heater, they will plumb it that way. Btw: is that a Kenmore heater ?

Don't worry about it. All is installed the way it should be with without compromising your safety and/or equipment.

The only problem with your explantion is this valve is in place of a T&P valve. There is NO way for water to escape the water heater in the event of over temp/pressure.

A picture would be helpful at this point. Regards, tom

The only problem with your explantion is this valve is in place of a T&P valve. There is NO way for water to escape the water heater in the event of over temp/pressure.

That valve you see is T&P valve. Water "escapes" into gas line...