How to Install a Water Heater Drain Line

Installing a hot water heater drain line on to your hot water heater is important. The hot water heater drain line allows you to drain the contents of your hot water heater's tank in case you need to service or remove it. The drain line should ideally run from your hot water heater to a floor drain in the same room. This will prevent accidental flooding of an unintended area.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• 1/2-inch plastic drain tubing
• Utility knife
• Female garden-hose-to-barb adapter
• 1/2-inch hose clamp
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Measure the distance from the drain port on your hot water heater to the floor drain. If the path isn't straight, ensure the measurement allows for a gentle bend in the drain line to prevent kinking.

2. Cut a piece of 1/2-inch plastic drain tubing at the measurement you determined with your utility knife. Lay the tubing out on the floor between the drain and the drain port on the hot water heater.

3. Screw on a female garden-hose-to-barb adapter fitting on to the drain port of the hot water heater. Tighten until hand-tight.

4. Slide a 1/2-inch hose clamp over the end of the plastic tubing. Push the tubing over the barbed end of the garden-hose-to-barb adapter. Adjust the clamp and tighten so it clamps the plastic tubing tight to the barb.

References

• Rheem: Gas Water Heater Use & Care Manual
• Timothy Gonyo; Sheet Metal Workers Local #18; Milwaukee, WI

Resources

• Midwest Supplies: Female Garden Hose Thread with 3/8-Inch Barb