# Electric Hot Water Tank In Attic **URL:** \ **Category:** Plumbing Inspections\ **Created:** [January 11, 2024, 11:17pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862 "2024-01-11T23:17:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lkirkland3](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkirkland3/32/330787_2.png) [@lkirkland3](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkirkland3)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:17pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/1 "2024-01-11T23:17:06Z")
I saw this was discussed a bit a few years ago. Reviving because I seen today a TPR valve line piped into the garage onto the floor next to where car would park. My concern is that could be super heater steam / water exploding onto the concrete floor at a time least expected. This makes me think safety issue. Any guidance? ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:22pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/2 "2024-01-11T23:22:10Z")
> [@lkirkland3](#): > > This makes me think safety issue. > Any guidance? It is what you think it is. You are present, seeing the conditions with your own eyes, and you are a trained inspector, right? Report what you see, offering your opinion(s), which is what you are being paid for. ---
**Author:** ![dhorton2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/dhorton2/32/178593_2.png) [@dhorton2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dhorton2)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:28pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/3 "2024-01-11T23:28:33Z")
The code says it has to be discharged between 1.5" and 6" of floor in a visible location. If you think you should add to that concern, then feel free. ---
**Author:** ![ruecker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ruecker/32/357170_2.png) [@ruecker](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ruecker)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:41pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/4 "2024-01-11T23:41:58Z")
> [@lkirkland3](#): > > My concern is that could be super heater steam / water exploding onto the concrete floor at a time least expected… I would be surprised if there was any “exploding” going on. The valve will open and probably just release a small stream of water and/or steam. If it’s at the floor, I’d call it good. ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:43pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/5 "2024-01-11T23:43:14Z")
> [@dhorton2](#): > > f you think you should add to that concern, then feel free. > [@lkirkland3](#): > > My concern is that could be super heater steam / water exploding onto the concrete floor at a time least expected. Such as when exiting the vehicle after pulling into the garage?? Seems like a legit concern to me. ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:47pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/6 "2024-01-11T23:47:13Z")
> [@ruecker](#): > > would be surprised if there was any “exploding” going on. How long you live in MInnesota? You always had heated garages? Do a test… turn OFF your garage/shop heat for a few days and let the concrete freeze… dump a bucket of boiling water on the slab and watch what (may) happen… Be sure to wear your safety glasses! ---
**Author:** ![ruecker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ruecker/32/357170_2.png) [@ruecker](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ruecker)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:52pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/7 "2024-01-11T23:52:46Z")
> [@jjonas](#): > > dump a bucket of boiling water on the slab and watch what (may) happen…… My guess is that virtually nothing will happen. In MN though, I would advise against routing the drain line to an unheated area. A slow trickle from the valve could cause ice blockage. ---
**Author:** ![spayson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/spayson/32/58403_2.png) [@spayson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/spayson)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:54pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/8 "2024-01-11T23:54:57Z")
> [@lkirkland3](#): > > TPR valve line piped into the garage onto the floor No more dangerous than walking by a water heater in the basement ---
**Author:** ![kleonard](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kleonard/32/170953_2.png) [@kleonard](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kleonard)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:57pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/9 "2024-01-11T23:57:53Z")
Since the water heater is in the attic the TPR extension needs to terminate somewhere, so as longs as the extension pipe doesn’t have more than 4 ea 90 degree elbows, isn’t a trip hazard, and if it were to open full force, that it would not be a potenital scald hazard, and since you mentioned it’s at the floor you should be okay there, I doubt I would write it up. But if you think it may be a safety hazard, then by all means call it out as such. ---
**Author:** ![lkirkland3](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkirkland3/32/330787_2.png) [@lkirkland3](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkirkland3)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 12:01am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/10 "2024-01-12T00:01:07Z")
Sorry, It is at waist high to me. It evacuates onto the garage floor. ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 12:01am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/11 "2024-01-12T00:01:53Z")
> [@ruecker](#): > > My guess is that virtually nothing will happen. Wow, you really have led a sheltered life as a child. So sad. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![kleonard](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kleonard/32/170953_2.png) [@kleonard](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kleonard)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 12:02am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/12 "2024-01-12T00:02:43Z")
> [@lkirkland3](#): > > Sorry, It is at waist high to me. It evacuates onto the garage floor. Then I would write it up as not properly installed and as a potential safety hazard. ---
**Author:** ![ruecker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ruecker/32/357170_2.png) [@ruecker](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ruecker)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 12:04am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/13 "2024-01-12T00:04:43Z")
> [@jjonas](#): > > Wow, you really have led a sheltered life as a child. > So sad. ☹. Kinda passive aggressive of you. Nice job! That’s how we roll in MN! 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![ruecker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ruecker/32/357170_2.png) [@ruecker](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ruecker)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 12:08am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/14 "2024-01-12T00:08:22Z")
> [@kleonard](#): > > > [@lkirkland3](#): > > > > Sorry, It is at waist high to me. It evacuates onto the garage floor. > > Then I would write it up as not properly installed and as a potential safety hazard… I agree with Kevin. The height is worthy of a write-up, but not the location, from what we know right now. ---
**Author:** ![sfetty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sfetty/32/331195_2.png) [@sfetty](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sfetty)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 12:09am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/15 "2024-01-12T00:09:04Z")
> [@ruecker](#): > > I would be surprised if there was any “exploding” going on. The valve will open and probably just release a small stream of water and/or steam. If it’s at the floor, I’d call it good. That is not consistent with the TPRV discharge that I experienced. > [@lkirkland3](#): > > My concern is that could be super heater steam / water exploding onto the concrete floor at a time least expected… That is consistent with the one TRPV discharge I’ve experienced. ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 12:18am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/16 "2024-01-12T00:18:32Z")
> [@ruecker](#): > > but not the location, > [@jjonas](#): > > Such as when exiting the vehicle after pulling into the garage?? > [@lkirkland3](#): > > next to where car would park. Are you not paying attention? Granted, a diagram wasn’t posted, but c’mon, did he really need to? I know many people that walk around their cars after pulling into the garage. ---
**Author:** ![ruecker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ruecker/32/357170_2.png) [@ruecker](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ruecker)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 12:20am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/17 "2024-01-12T00:20:59Z")
> [@jjonas](#): > > Are you not paying attention? > Granted, a diagram wasn’t posted, but c’mon, did he really need to? > I know many people that walk around their cars after pulling into the garage… Is there a location where someone **wouldn’t** be surprised by a discharge from the TPR Valve? My water heater and discharge point is pretty close to where we have storage shelving and a chest freezer. Are you saying my wife wouldn’t be surprised to be impaled by a hot water explosion at that location, but would be surprised in the garage? ---
**Author:** ![tglaze](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/tglaze/32/362210_2.png) [@tglaze](https://forum.nachi.org/u/tglaze)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 12:22am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/18 "2024-01-12T00:22:32Z")
> [@jjonas](#): > > Such as when exiting the vehicle after pulling into the garage?? > Seems like a legit concern to me “Oh My!! Must be the TPR valve on the water heater…” ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/7/f/c/7fc5c4b2973d879890bb2ee41506a98c729804c7.gif) ---
**Author:** ![sfetty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sfetty/32/331195_2.png) [@sfetty](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sfetty)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 12:27am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/19 "2024-01-12T00:27:19Z")
> [@jjonas](#): > > I know many people that walk around their cars after pulling into the garage. I don’t know anyone that walks around their car after pulling in the garage. I’ve walked around the car several times while checking tires or after an unexpected road strike. I would think one would notice a substantial TPRV discharge as soon as the garage door opened, subtle leaks like Ryan described would be more likely discovered while doing other activities in the garage. ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 2:46am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862/20 "2024-01-12T02:46:47Z")
> [@ruecker](#): > > Is there a location where someone **wouldn’t** be surprised > [@ruecker](#): > > Are you saying my wife wouldn’t be surprised > [@ruecker](#): > > but would be surprised in the garage? What’s with this pansy-ass “surprised BS”? Nobody cares if you’re a ‘scaredy-cat’ who jumps everytime something goes ‘Boo’! It’s all about safety and being harmed by the unexpected release from a household appliance. Jehebus… next thing you know, someone will get sued for their DW Burping and scaring them when discharging waste water down the kitchen plumbing!! [Next page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electric-hot-water-tank-in-attic/237862.md?page=2)