[bballdad43]

I need to install pan under hot water heater. Heater already installed. I'm afraid I don't have enough play in the existing piping to raise the heater to get the pan underneath. Any ideas?

[Milo Dolezal]

Smitty Pan is only 1/8" thick. You probably have to drain heater, loosen h/c pipe connections, slide pan under the heater, and reinstall h/c water supplies. Even if you have rigid pipe connections you still should be able to install drip pan w/o reworking plumbing.

[21boat]

Also check for water pipe clamps on joist if that's your situation and pop them to get more slack in lines. Be prepared if the HW heater old with deposits in bottom even empty could be real heavy.

[Milo Dolezal]

bballdad43: There is one more important detail I'd like to add: each Smitty Pan has drain outlet. You have to run run-off PVC pipe from that outlet and terminate it somewhere where water can drain w/o causing damage to the house. Best place would be to the exterior of the house. Otherwise, presence of Smitty Pan will have no effect at all and in case of leak, it will not serve its purpose.

[bballdad43]

Thanks again Milo. HW heater is near A/C and there is a drain nearby that I plan to plumb to. Thanks for keeping me honest.