Could I put a vacuum breaker on hot water side of the hot water tank if not why?

Why would you want to do that?

You could but that is intended to prevent water from going backwards in the pipe or tank. Is something causing siphoning in your tank?

It was done on accident by the guy I work with. I didn't know if it would be OK,or should I fix it.

It is OK but most likely not needed. How on earth does someone install something by accident

It was a new install and I didn't know if would be OK or should I fix it, no problem with the unit just looking for a little info.

He was supposed to put it on the cold water side but put it on the hot water side.

Thanks for the input

Are you sure your are using the correct terminology?

A vacuum breaker is a device put on an outside hose bib. There are other types but that is the most often used in residential plumbing.

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

Are you sure your are using the correct terminology?

A vacuum breaker is a device put on an outside hose bib. There are other types but that is the most often used in residential plumbing.

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I'm probably not vacuum relief valve maybe

You mean a vacuum RELIEF VALVE, not a vacuum breaker, for sure. Here, a vacuum breaker gets installed on outside water faucets and lawn sprinkler systems to prevent backflow of contaminated water into the drinking water system... a vacuum relief valve is installed on the COLD water inlet to a water heater... basically opens when a backflow condition occurs and allows AIR into the pipes instead of allowing the water heater to be siphoned dry.

In my state, vacuum relief valves are required to be installed on all water heater installations. Most states do not require them, but they certainly can't hurt anything if installed.

The reason you don't install a vacuum relief valve on the hot side of the water heater is because it would not open and allow air into the system until AFTER the water heater got siphoned off... right?

Back to you...

Mark

Right.. I'm in Massachusetts and I believe that the code requires you install a vacuum relief valve on new install.but I wasn't sure if you put the relief valve on the hot side could it damage the tank?because it is already installed and I wasn't sure if I should change it,or would it be okay if I left it like that... thanks again.

Thanks for helping me win a debate and a dollar.This guy has to be right all the time,this time he was wrong!!

Absolutely required in Mass. for sure. Having it installed on the hot water line won't hurt anything, but your water heater could get siphoned off if say the fire department was to purge a fire hydrant in your neighborhood and, in theory, your water heater could "dry fire" and that could crack the tank... ;)

Glad to discuss more if needed!

Good luck!