Combination manifold and check valve for a water heater

A drain pan assembly for a water heater comprising:

• a pan body having a bottom and a continuous rim extending upward from the periphery of the bottom to form a reservoir, the pan body being disposed to collect water leaking from the tanks of a water heater, the rim having a reservoir outlet formed therethrough at a predetermined height for draining water from the reservoir;
• a manifold body connected to the pan body, the manifold body having a first inlet opening, a second inlet opening, and an outlet opening which are in fluid communication, the first inlet opening being directly connected to the outlet of a temperature and pressure relief valve mounted on the water heater, the second inlet opening being fluidly connected to the reservoir outlet of the pan body, and the outlet opening being adapted for connection to a drain line;
• a valve member disposed within the i manifold body between the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening and being movable between a first position wherein the valve member does not block fluid flow between the second inlet opening and the outlet opening, and a second position wherein the valve member blocks fluid flow between the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening and between the second inlet opening and the outlet opening;
• wherein the valve member is urged into the first position when there is no significant fluid flow from the temperature and pressure relief valve, whereby water can then flow through the manifold from the drain pan of the outlet opening when the water level in the reservoir is above the predetermined height;
• and
• wherein the valve member is urged into the second position when there is significant fluid flow from the temperature and pressure relief valve, whereby water can then flow through the manifold from the pressure relief valve to the outlet opening regardless of the water level in the reservoir.

A method for connecting an outlet of a water heater temperature and pressure relief valve and an outlet of a water heater drain pan to a common drain line, comprising the steps:

• connecting the outlet of a water heater temperature and pressure relief valve directly to a first inlet opening of a manifold body having the first inlet opening, a second inlet opening, and an outlet opening which are in fluid communication;
• connecting the outlet of a water heater drain pan directly to the second inlet opening of the manifold body, the drain pan being disposed in a location to collect water leaking from a water heater and the outlet of the drain pan being disposed at a predetermined height;
• connecting a common drain line to the outlet opening of the manifold body;
• providing a valve member disposed within the manifold body between the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening;
• wherein the valve member is movable between a first position wherein the valve the member does not block fluid flow between the second inlet opening and the outlet opening, and a second position wherein the valve member blocks fluid flow between the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening and between the second inlet opening and the outlet opening;
• wherein the valve member is urged into the first position when there is no significant fluid flow from the temperature and pressure relief valve, whereby water can then flow through the manifold from the drain pan to the outlet opening when the water level in the drain pan is above the predetermined height;
• and
• wherein the valve member is urged into the second position when there is significant fluid flow from the temperature and pressure relief valve, whereby water can then flow through the manifold from the pressure relief valve to the outlet opening regardless of the water level in the drain pan.