Solution: My Drain Pipe is Higher than the Relief Valve!

A Helpful Solution That Lets You Install Storage Heaters in Short False Ceilings

• Useful for condo owners with a tight false ceiling space
• when storage heaters work, they drip water (like an aircon)
• all storage heaters need a drainage point
• If you have a short false ceiling height, the drain pipe with a high position.

The Problem

• The relief valve is a pressure reducing device.
• It is fixed at the water inlet of the heater
• This valve cannot be lower than the position of the concealed drain pipe. • Why? Because the tube that joins the relief valve to the drain pipe must allow water to flow downwards continuously
• Water cannot flow upwards.
If water can't flow out from the relief valve, pressure can't be released. If pressure can't be released, the heater tank will be damaged.

The Solution

• Run your cold water pipe above the drain point location
• Attach the relief valve to the highest cold pipe position.
• Now you can attach the green tube in a downward facing direction to the drain pipe
• With this method, you have more heater options for your ceiling!
This solves the layout issue of the relief valve blockage.

It Helps to Think Out of the Box!

Traditional installation methods are great, but thinking outside the box be a great help help if you are stuck! 

As specialists in water heating, we can use our experience to create possibilities and options for you.

Have a question? Drop us a message or give us call.
Talk to an Expert

We Have Creative Solutions!

The installation was done well despite the fact that the HDB given outlet was not in the best condition. The water temperature has also remained consistent even when both showers are being used at the same time. Thank you Kalam and Shamemul for doing a great job with the installation.
Rakhshan Ariffin
Google review
From the outset, their patience, friendliness, and professionalism were evident, making the installation process a breeze.

What truly sets them apart is their willingness to go the extra mile to find solutions and alternatives. Despite encountering initial obstacles with a partition wall that seemed impossible to mount the water heater on, they persevered and managed to successfully install it. This demonstrates their dedication and resourcefulness in overcoming challenges.

Their exceptional service and commitment to customer satisfaction make them a top choice in the industry.
Afzal H.M.N
Google review

Drain Pipe FAQ

What heaters require a drain pipe?
Water heaters that require a drain pipe are typically those that need to expel water due to condensation or pressure relief. These include:

1. Storage Water Heaters
2. Heat Pump Water Heaters
3. Solar Water Heaters
If your contractor did not provide a drain pipe for a water heater that requires one, you may face several issues, depending on the heater type:

1. Water Damage & Leaks
water can pool around the unit, leading to mold, corrosion, or electrical issues.
2. Voided Warranty

Failure to have a proper drainage may damage your water heater tank, voiding its warranty

It is important to engage someone to fix a drain pipe as soon as possible.

Older HDB with water heaters installed inside the shower (wet) area of the bathroom do not need a drain pipe. The design is so that the relief valve drips into the shower area.
It is normal room temperature water. In Singapore, this is around 30ºC. You are at no risk of getting scalded or burnt.

This is why even though some relief valves are designed to drip into wet areas of the bathroom, it is 100% safe.

Other Posts

Avoid These 6 Warranty Pitfalls at All Costs

Beware of a Too-Good-to-be-True, Ultra Long Warranty!

Don’t be me. I learnt this the hard way buying my Samsonite luggage. Buying a "lifetime" warranty seemed like the best deal. Until I brought it in to change a part that fell out.

Then they pulled out this crazy list of terms and conditions that made me give up.

For appliances like water heaters, the concept is the same. Not all warranties are equal. Understand this before you buy. Know what to look out for. This will save you precious time and emotional frustration.

1. Keep Your Eyes Peeled for a 'Full Warranty'. This is the Best Type of Warranty and Very Rare. Go for FULL Coverage Whenever Possible.

Full warranties are scarce and hard to find.

Good news is... 'hard to find' does not mean it is impossible to find.

You want this Full Warranty because it protects you more than it protects the company. That is the idea right?

You want to be fully covered to be exempt from paying for hidden costs. This needs to cover everything from labour, parts cost and transport. A full onsite warranty.

The only thing that is not covered are installation faults. But it is fair to exclude this from coverage. If your installer damaged the product because of his lack of skill.. then you go after the installer.

2. Don't Just Get Full Coverage... Get the LONGEST Possible Full Coverage.

When buying stuff at Harvey Norman, they always ask if you want to upgrade your warranty and add 2 to 5 years to it.

While it's always tempting to think, Nahhhh. I've already spent $5k on this fridge!! Why would I want to top up YET another $800 bucks for incidents I cannot forsee??

WELL. Life is about planning for incidents you cannot forsee. And from personal experience, Extended warranties have saved my wallet more than half the time. So grateful for buying the extension for the last few big-cap electronic purchases. I put my faith there!
In Singapore, the average lifespan of a heater is 5 years. This means many heater companies will give you a 1 Year Full warranty.

Better brands last longer, so they go up to 3 Years Full warranty.

If your home situation is long-term, aim for 3 years. You save more in the long run going for quality and the longest possible warranty coverage.

If I don't Have a 'Full Warranty'... What am I Getting?

If what you have on your hands isn't a full warranty... You may have a partial warranty.

In that case, you have to be extra careful.

Partial warranties cover only certain parts

3. Now Hang On Tight, Don’t Fall off Your Chair... We’re Coming to the Most Well Kept Secret About Partial Warranties..

Of course a partial warranty sounds appealing!! Who doesn't like the sound of a 10-year warranty? But they are misleading and even a tad dishonest.

Let me let you in on a secret. A 10-year warranty on a heating element might seem like a great deal.. but the industry secret is that the heating element rarely fails. It’s the other parts like wires and thermostats that will need repair sooner. If these aren’t covered, you could end up paying out of pocket for repairs.

Usually, companies who play this game are not interested in servicing you. They are excited to find out if you’ve exceeded your 1-year warranty. Then they can slap on some charges for back end sales. It's a horrible way to do business.

Be wary of those partial warranties!!
Heating elements are hardly ever replaced.. in all my years of being in the heater industry, I’ve only seen elements break down less than 5 times!!

4. Trust me on This, for Heaters.. Always Buy Local. Forget That Awesome Deal You Saw on Taobao.

Absolutely NO taobao for water heaters!! It will be the worst decision ever.

You need a local warranty. If there's a problem.. there is no way you can fix it yourself. You are not superman!!! Even if you ARE Superman, you have no Time!!

When you buy local, you're actually buying access to a valuable local support network.

I've heard horror stories of unapproved heaters bought online that fail at the worst times. Imagine: Chinese New Year no hot water?!! Your wife and kids are giving you pressure? Now good luck getting support over taobao chat.

Actually, at that point you’ll need more than luck to survive.

Don't ruin things for yourself. Always buy local when it comes heaters. Thank me later.
Heaters are one of the hardest appliances to troubleshoot.

5. Hidden Costs Here, Hidden Costs There, Hidden Costs EVERYWHERE!

If normal transport charges are $100+... Why are you getting charged $250????

I've heard this happen to people who are still locked in under their 'warranty period'. They can't go to a 3rd party to repair or their warranty may be void. It's a minor wire repair but they have to cough up hundreds $$$$$.

They are stuck in what we call a ‘bo-pian’ or no-choice situation.

It is downright dreadful, but sad to say.. This kind of back-end sales tactic has happened before and will happen again.

Out of frustration, some even decide to change their whole heater to another brand. It’s a good move because you avoid dealing with dishonesty.

On the other hand, it’s very expensive…

You can avoid this heartache by doing some homework. Buy from a reputable company.

6. Whenever Possible, Buy Direct from the Main Distributor

When I bought my first Dyson.. I went to a Reputable department store along Orchard Road. They were running a promo I couldn't resist.

Things went fine as long until my Dyson stopped working.. then the nightmares began. I got thrown around department after department of red tape.

Need to check invoice.
Need to look up sales person.
Oh.. Must send to HQ for inspection.
Now we need to order special parts.

It was a simple problem but so many layers of people and paperwork. Drove me nuts.
From that I learnt my lesson, always buy direct.

Now I get my Dyson from the main distributor. Their turnover is fast. I have absolute confidence I'm getting the latest version free from bugs and defects.

If they have issues with a model, they are upfront and transparent with me. Because I am their direct customer, they will take care of me first.
Response is also much faster!!

Sometimes, they also waive charges. Now, I'm not saying to go in with the expectation of free service. Everyone has to earn a fair wage. But I can feel the difference in the quality of customer service.

Same idea with water heaters. Want faster service? Buy direct.

7. Are You Serviced By a Bot or a Human Being?

Of course you can tell. Everything is different when it's a real person on the other end of the line.

Service is faster.

Arrangements are flexible.

You get accurate answers.

Because a real person understands your needs. A bot doesn't.

Conclusion

Singaporeans and hot water have a special relationship. We take it for granted when it is there, but we go crazy when deprived of it!!

Understanding your water heater warranty can make or break your hot water experience.

Hope the tips I’ve shared here on warranties will help you in some way!