artm
Sep 19, 2013, 02:27 PM
Hello all, first time here... I'm installing a washer in the basement of a three family. Rather than install a common water heater I'm considering doing a shared setup for the hot water for the washer.
So, here's what I thought, remembering that each water heater already has a shutoff valve for the hot line specifivally to the washer and lines are 1/2-in:
1. at each water heater,
Sweat-pex fitting 1/2-in >
1/2-in pex pipe >
Pex-sweat 1/2-in >
Paddle shutoff valve >
3-to-1 1/2-in copper "manifold" >
1/2-to-3/4 thread >
Washer hose
So, each unit will use their own shutoff valve at the washer end to select their line. I know, I know - I'm on the honor system here but it is what it is. I will have three pex lines from the water heaters to the washer and then down to one.
2. at each water heater,
Swing check valve 1/2-in>
Close to the water heaters:
3-to-1 1/2-in copper "manifold" >
Sweat-pex fitting 1/2-in >
1/2-in pex pipe >
Pex-sweat 1/2-in >
Paddle shutoff valve >
1/2-to-3/4 thread >
Washer hose
So, here I have all three lines constantly "on" and shared when the washer demands hot water. I have the manifold at the water heater end and only one line going to the washer. The swing check valves are obviously there to prevent backflow. If a unit doesn't want to participate in the laundry, then I simply shut off the valve at the water heater and their line isn't in use.
I'm using pex for the long runs for its ease and, possibly, cheaper cost.
Any help is appreciated.
So, here's what I thought, remembering that each water heater already has a shutoff valve for the hot line specifivally to the washer and lines are 1/2-in:
1. at each water heater,
Sweat-pex fitting 1/2-in >
1/2-in pex pipe >
Pex-sweat 1/2-in >
Paddle shutoff valve >
3-to-1 1/2-in copper "manifold" >
1/2-to-3/4 thread >
Washer hose
So, each unit will use their own shutoff valve at the washer end to select their line. I know, I know - I'm on the honor system here but it is what it is. I will have three pex lines from the water heaters to the washer and then down to one.
2. at each water heater,
Swing check valve 1/2-in>
Close to the water heaters:
3-to-1 1/2-in copper "manifold" >
Sweat-pex fitting 1/2-in >
1/2-in pex pipe >
Pex-sweat 1/2-in >
Paddle shutoff valve >
1/2-to-3/4 thread >
Washer hose
So, here I have all three lines constantly "on" and shared when the washer demands hot water. I have the manifold at the water heater end and only one line going to the washer. The swing check valves are obviously there to prevent backflow. If a unit doesn't want to participate in the laundry, then I simply shut off the valve at the water heater and their line isn't in use.
I'm using pex for the long runs for its ease and, possibly, cheaper cost.
Any help is appreciated.