I have a gas hot water heater and there is some water draining from the discharge pipe on the side of the tank into a bucket that I have to empty every week or so. I was just wondering if I could connect a hose to it and run it over into a floor drain on the other side of the room. Is it safe to do that or should I just leave it the way it is?

"Is it safe?" No! Obviously you have an issue with the TPV valve. Do you know why it's dripping? Instead of running a hose, why not fix the problem? People say "it costs too much". When the tank ruptures or overflows and floods your basement you will find out how much it costs.

Hello Smartin85, as said in above post, attaching hose to dripping T&P valve is not the right solution to your problem

When Temperature & Pressure (T&P) valve leaks, that means one of three things is happening:

1. Water pressure is too high
2. Hot water temperature too high
3. Possibly, bad T&P valve

Do this:

1. Put pressure gauge on cold water valve somewhere BEHIND pressure regulator ( on house side ). Pressure should not read more then 75 PSI. If more then 75 PSI, replace water pressure regulator + replace T&P valve

Or

2. Set thermostatic dial on your hot water heater to lower temperature + replace T&P valve

Also ...

3. Replace T&P valve as its memory is now compromised and it will not hold pressure as it should

While at it, I suggest that you install Thermal Expansion Tank as well

Hope that helps

Milo

I agree 100% with both experts, Thanks.

John