Water Heater connection corrosion

Augy123 · Apr 6, 2008, 03:44 PM

We have a 5-year old home with a gas water heater. There is a lot of corrosive-looking material (rust colored flaky stuff

) where the 3/4" copper house plumbing is connected to 2 steel or some other metal (not copper) pipes coming out of the water heater.

I'm not sure that is very clear. In other words, there are two pipes coming out of the water heater that are made of some metal other than copper. They are about 8" long or so. The 3/4" copper cold water supply is connected to one of them with a threaded fitting. On the outlet side, another 3/4" copper line (house supply hot water) is threaded to the other pipe coming out of the water heater.

I'm assuming the two metals do not agree with one another and that is causing the corrosion.

Assuming that is correct, is this just a simple matter of removing the dissimilar metal pipes and replacing them with copper? There are no shut-offs plumbed in either so I would want to add those. Would 1/4 turn valves be appropriate?

Thanks for any advice.

Augy123 · Apr 13, 2008, 08:15 AM

Sorry, pry wasn't the right word. I've tried wire-brushing as much as I can (it's very hard to get around it with the vent in the way. I will try some wd-40 as well. Thanks, I'll keep working at it.

Augy123 · Apr 13, 2008, 04:14 PM

I finally got this job done. The nipples were a real PITA to get out but after that, it was pretty easy. Thanks for all the help!

Augy123 · Apr 17, 2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Augy:

About time you posted back....I have been concerned all day!!

So you are all set...? AWESOME!!! You did the work....but thanks for update...I know we all like to know end results!

Pop by anytime...Mark

Yes, it all came out fine. It took most of the day and several trips to the hardware store. By the way, I am now the biggest fan of those copper fittings with the solder built in (they have ridges with solder in them). Wow, the results of those sweats were fantastic and very, very easy (just heat about 45 secs and done). I had to fight a leak that turned out to be a faulty seal on one of the flex fittings so one more trip to the store. I am forever grateful to all the advice given on this forum. I'll go back and rate you guys for all the help. Thanks again!



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