Although Bradford White does not manufacture or provide drain pans, our Installation and Operation manuals indicate our water heaters must be located in an area where leakage of the tank, water line connections, or the relief valve will not result in damage to the area around the water heater or to any lower floors of your home. When such locations cannot be avoided, a suitable drain pan must be installed under the water heater. Your plumbing professional can evaluate your home’s situation and properly and safely install your water heater including a drain pan if required. Need a pro? Find one here.Under normal operation, your pilot should only have to be lit once, during installation and initial set up. If you are experiencing nuisance pilot outages, please contact a plumbing professional. To find a contractor who is familiar with Bradford White products, click here. To find the Installation and Operation Manual and other documentation for your water heater, click here.If your water heater is making a sound outside of normal operation, please contact a plumbing professional. They can evaluate the source and provide any needed servicing. Need a service pro? Find one now. Want the technical documentation and manuals for your water heater? You can find them here.Bradford White only recommends using an insulation blanket if it was supplied with the water heater. You can find manuals and documentation on your water Bradford White water heater here.Yes, water heaters can be installed in garages if local codes permit. Water heaters in residential garages must be installed and located, or protected to avoid physical damage. We suggest you consult your plumbing profession for the proper installation of your water heater and for adherence to local codes.We suggest you consult your plumbing professional on what Bradford White water heater is best for you. This might include things such as your family size, number of bathrooms, energy source, location of your current water heater, and available venting among other things. A plumbing pro can take all that into account and point you to the best Bradford White models for your situation and needs. Need a local pro? Find one here.Many factors go into determining if a water heater is right for your household needs besides just how many gallons it holds. Specifics on demand, simultaneous usage, fixtures, and more are used by plumbing pros to determine the best models for your requirements. If you are looking to replace your existing water heater, we suggest you contact your plumbing professional and ask them what Bradford White model is best for you. They’ll ask you about your household size, number of bathrooms, and other usage questions to identify exactly what you need. Need a pro? Find one here. If you currently have a Bradford White water heater, find information about it here.This is not a requirement of Bradford White; however, it may be a requirement to do so as per a local code. We always recommend having a plumbing professional install your water heater. They can advise you on what Bradford White models are best for your needs and the proper installation required for that model including any local codes and regulations. Need a pro? Find one here.Bradford White always recommends an installation that allows for thermal expansion whether through an expansion tank or other means. It reduces the stress on your hot water system and its various components including pipes, fittings, fixtures, and even your appliances. A thermal expansion tank may be also required to meet your local plumbing codes. If the water heater is installed in a closed water supply system, such as the one having a back-flow preventer in the cold-water supply, provisions should be made to control thermal expansion. DO NOT operate the water heater in a closed system without provisions for controlling thermal expansion. A plumbing professional can assess your specific system and determine during installation how best to control thermal expansion. Need a plumbing pro? Find one here.Recovery is the amount of gallons a water heater can typically heat in an hour. So it is measured in gallons per hour (GPH). Recovery is a direct result of energy input and temperature rise. It varies among models depending on the tank capacity, heat source, and the size of the burner or element. Plumbing pros can use that among other factors to help determine the right water heater for a specific homeowner’s needs.