OATEY 34170 18 in. Aluminum Water Heater Pans with 1 in.CPVC Adapter

The Oatey 34170 pan has an 18 inch diameter, which suits compact and smaller-diameter tanks. Most 40 and 50 gallon residential water heaters measure roughly 20 to 24 inches across the jacket, so measure the tank base before ordering. If the heater is wider than 18 inches, step up to a larger diameter pan rather than forcing the fit.

Both. The Oatey 34170 is rated for installation under gas or electric water heaters to catch leaks and condensate before they reach the floor. The aluminum body is why it works under gas appliances where a plastic pan can be a concern near the burner area.

It ships with a 1 inch CPVC adapter already included, so the pan drains to 1 inch CPVC. You do not need to buy a separate fitting or drill the sidewall. Run the line to an approved termination point per your local code.

Pan depth is a minimum of 2.5 inches. That depth matters for two reasons: it gives you enough sidewall to hold a slow leak until the drain carries it off, and it sets how much height the heater gains, which affects flex connector length and vent alignment on a tight install.

The 34170 is formed from .032 prime aluminum and the whole pan weighs 1.75 pounds. Aluminum at that gauge holds shape under a loaded tank far better than a thin plastic drain pan, which is the usual reason contractors spec metal on heaters sitting on wood framing or in attics.

The 34170 meets the requirements of the Southern Building Code. Jurisdictions that require a drain pan under heaters located in attics or above finished areas generally also require a drain line to an approved point, and the included 1 inch CPVC adapter covers that connection. Confirm pan size and drain termination with your local inspector.

Aluminum, like the Oatey 34170 at .032 gauge, is the choice when the pan sits under a gas heater, in an attic, or anywhere it may get stepped on during service. Plastic pans are lighter and cheaper but flex under load and are less forgiving near a gas burner. Either way the pan is only protection if the drain is piped out, which is what the 1 inch CPVC adapter on this one is for.

Order Oatey 34170. That is the 18 inch prime aluminum pan supplied with the 1 inch CPVC drain adapter.