TPRV discharge pipe going in wall and outdoor

Still going through course so maybe this is stupid question but just finished the 25 standards and noticed my tpr discharge goes through my garage wall to a drain outside… I understand this is functional but I thought this could be a safety issue as in order for me to notice discharge I would have to walk around my yard… Your thoughts would be appreciated and thank you.

You are correct in Your thinking. The idea is that You need to be able to see if it is discharging water.

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If you want to get picky, you can claim that those PEX elbows reduce the 3/4" inner size.

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Very common down here unless the build is after 2001.
My home from 1979 goes outside just like that.

Bryce - In the Northwest (WA area), that is super common. It is still visible. However, for up here, PEX is not allowed and it has to be in CPVC or rigid copper. The concern being that the PEX may deform under extreme heat. And also as Simon stated above, the clamped 90° elbows reduce the potential volume of flow a bit. It all may vary a bit by what is allowed locally for you.
I personally would be more alarmed by the fact that you appear to not have any seismic restraints in place, and the heater is not blocked to the wall.

Looks good, one of the better in recent posts.

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Do you call it out in pre 2001 homes?

Good point and to add to that the 2018 IPC added “Be one nominal size larger than the size of the relief valve outlet, where the relief valve discharge piping is installed with insert fittings. The outlet end of such tubing shall be fastened in place.”

Question is are PEX fittings insert fittings? There is not a definition of insert fittings in the book but my opinion is yes. Barb fittings are insert fittings, very similar to PEX.

Of course new installs and water heater replacements will be affected.

Not responding for Marc, but if’s often not necessary as a newer water heater has been installed, and the plumber simply adds a new TPR extension in the garage (most common location), bypassing the older exterior termination.

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I’m okay with cold expansion fittings, they are almost the same ID as the PEX. The simple barbed insert fittings that get crimped definitely restrict the flow, however.

Sorry, I do not understand. The question only relates to older dwelling (like Marc’s own house) with older or new WH piped to terminate outside without an air gap in the same location as the WH.

Welcome to our forum, Bryce!..Enjoy! :smile:

This is only required in certain jurisdictions. What is blocked to the wall?

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Blocked to the wall would mean that along with straps, there would be something to fill the dead space behind the heater between the wall. This makes it so the water heater is physically held in place and cannot rock even while strapped. It is just filling the dead space instead of moving the heater to the wall. Usually a block level with each strap does it

No.
As long as it is connected properly & terminates outside.
IMO to call it out would be an upgrade to existing.

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Going outside like that is required here in California.

The PEX, not so much.

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Without an air gap?

This is a typical installation for jurisdictions in UPC. I know the air gap can be interpreted either as being needed for a drainage system and not needed for discharge to the outside. Some say it is needed when discharging to the outside. I’ve lived in two states that follow UPC and never saw a TPR valve with an air gap that discharges outside. Why? Because an air gap is required for cross connections. If the discharge pipe never discharges into a drainage pipe no air gap is needed because there is zero cross connection.

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Don’t forget that an air gap also provides freeze safety in regions where the outside terminated outlet may freeze over. Which 2 states are you referring to :slight_smile:

Arizona and New Mexico. I’ve lived in Chicago for 40 years and I’ve never seen temperatures as cold as I did when I lived in New Mexico.