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I have a Bradford White indirect water heater (heat supplied by oil boiler) installed 4 years ago. One year later I noticed corrosion on the potable HW outlet nipple. It has continued to get worse with flaking rust landing on the top of the heater next to the nipple. The copper flex has a dielectric union. Mt first question is why did this corrode in such a short time? The next is what are the chances of changing the nipple-anode combo? I am afraid the nipple may not come out. Any help would be appreciated.
Hello: With flex connectors it is common that the rubber washer in the end of the line shrinks a little from the heat. This can cause it to leak after about a year. Good practice is to go back to a new heater after six months and retighten any flex line connections. Sometimes they turn with very little effort. I suppose you don’t need to be nagged for leaving it for three years :wink:. To remove a nipple that’s rusted in place, the best results are had if you can keep the end of the nipple from flattening out with the wrench, as that can cause it to tear off. So, put a 3/4″ diameter steel bolt or whatever steel will snugly fit into the nipple, then use a 14″ or bigger pipe wrench to unscrew it. The bolt will prevent collapse and allow you to use the wrench more effectively. If it does snap off, see the post on removing a stubborn relief valve.
Yours, Larry
ps. If you have a big enough Easy-Out, it can take the place of the bolt.
Thanks Larry, I will try the three-quarter inch bold method when removing the nipple (once I have a replacement). I have thought many a night about getting to replacing the nipple, but… I know the consequence of waiting for it to rust all the way through. About 20 years ago I worked in a store where one of these nipples had rusted through while I happened to be in the bathroom 😯 . Luckily I had a towel near by when that happened. I did tighten the flex connector when I noticed it the first time, but that apparently either was too late, or did not solve the problem. Am I looking at replacing the anode at this time too?
Thanks again, Ray
Hello: I bet that bathroom experience would have made for some interesting film footage! As for anodes, Bradford White commonly uses the combo anode. To be certain, you could undo that flex connector and poke a long screwdriver gently down into the pipe nipple. If it stops a few inches in, there is an anode suspended underneath. So, you would have no good choice but to replace it as the anode and nipple are integral.
Yours, Larry
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