DIY Network

Water Heater Upgrade Water Heater Upgrade From "Ed the Plumber" episode DETP-211

If you don't have a pan under your water heater, you can build your own without having to drain your tank and put one underneath.

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	Figure A
	Figure B

The damming system is a strip of rubber that is 'T' shaped (figure A) to keep the water in. Once the area has been measured around the tank, cut the rubber to length. Apply plumbers putty to the bottom of the rubber and put in place by attaching both ends to a coupler (figure B). Then, coat the inside bottom edge with a silicone sealer.

To keep your water heater in good shape, follow these tips from Ed:

• Keep the area clear of debris.

• Set the heater at 125 degrees or lower.

• Once a year, flush out the system by placing a hose on the drain at the bottom of the tank.

• Install a whole house water filter to keep debris out of the inside of the tank.

• Don't allow the pressure to get above 80 psi's (pounds per square inch). It's recommended to keep the pressure between 45-60 psi's.