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I want to install a dishwasher but there is no connection point on the pipes that I can use for water intake. The place where I want to install the dishwasher is not far from water heater, which led me to thinking: is it safe and practical to use drain valve from water heater as a water source for a dishwasher?

Additional details:

  • There is a connection point on the wall for waste water disposal, so that's not a problem.
  • The temperature of water in the water heater is 120 F, dishwasher can handle up to 160 F.

Water heater diagram

Another question that might be relevant and gives me hope that drain valve can actually be used:

Why does my water heater's drain line rejoin the outlet pipe?

Michail L
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1 Answers1

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No, unless you want mostly cold or at best luke warm water. Water heaters have something called a "dip tube" which is simply a tube(pipe) that delivers the cold water to the bottom of the tank. Also, you'll be introducing any sediment into the dishwasher, which could REALLY mess it up.

It shouldn't be at all hard to fit a T somewhere on the hot water outlet piping. Depending upon the exact connections, some are piped with flexible tubing in which case you'd just remove it, add 3 nipples on each side of a T and connect the DW. I suggest brass rather than galvanized steel. You may also want to add a valve to the DW in case you need to service or replace it someday.

George Anderson
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