How Do You Repair Broken Pipe Nipples On Water Heaters?
Many pipes and pipe nipples (small fittings that connect two pipes together) are made out of brass because brass is a noble metal. This means that brass does not chemically react with oxygen and cause corrosion or rusting as much as other metals, such as steel. Unfortunately, most water heater tank linings and pipes are made out of steel. If the two metals touch each other, this causes the less noble steel to corrode or rust. To prevent this, many heaters use a plastic lining in the tank, which allows the brass plumbing to touch the steel water heater tank; the plastic interior will not rust or corrode. If you have steel plumbing, you should not install a brass pipe nipple. • If you wish to install a gate valve on your hot and cold lines above the water heater, use a steel pipe nipple with a plastic-lining. • If you wish to install a drain pipe to the T&P valve (temperature & pressure valve screwed into the top of the tank), you need a pipe that will not freeze or rust. For this you ca
