Rheem - Galvanic Nipple Reaction??

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DW85745

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Put in a new Rheem (40 gal, electric) Fury 6YR approx. one year ago.
The nipples (lined inside with some form of plastic?) came with the unit and were preinstalled.
The nipples are connected to a 3/4 copper threaded female with a 3/4 sweat male with the copper pipe terminating at a union.
Rectorseal #5 was used between the copper and the nipple.
The nipple on the hot water side is now rusting badly on the outside (have not pulled yet for inside look).
The nipple on cold water side has a trace of white powder on the cold water nipple which appears to be coming from the tank to the nipple.

Will replace the nipples this week, but wondering if anyone has seen this condition before and:
1) What is the cause?
2) Best cure?
 

Terry

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If the one nipple is rusting badly, there may be moisture there.
Normally the supplied nipples are fine doing it the way you have done it.
Being plastic lined, that's should have protected it.
 

DW85745

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Terry: Goodr thought.

FWIW, plastic is on ID of nipple Not OD.
Not sure where it could be coming from other then possibly small drip and since hot water side, its drying out but moisture remains long enough to oxidize.
I did have black pipe insulation over pipes.
With pipe exposed and still connected no drip evident.
 

Master Plumber Mark

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Terry: Goodr thought.

FWIW, plastic is on ID of nipple Not OD.
Not sure where it could be coming from other then possibly small drip and since hot water side, its drying out but moisture remains long enough to oxidize.
I did have black pipe insulation over pipes.
With pipe exposed and still connected no drip evident.


icon1.png
you probably have a grounding issue in your home that is causeing the
corrosion which has nothing to do with the nipples...... chceck to see if you
have a ground line attached above the heater.... that is probably the case...



if your nipples are not leaking , leave them alone
dont go changeing nipples, be happy with the nipples you got


 

DW85745

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Thanks for input.

chceck to see if you have a ground line attached above the heater.

Unit is properly grounded. Rheem was kind enough to send me new dialetic nipples.
Swapped in the new, so will see what happens.
The new ones have an internal heat trap built in (rubber flapper).
Posted question on another thread, but could see the flapper as a fail point and a BIG problem
"IF" the flapper breaks off from its tab and gets stuck somewhere inside the hot water supply line.
Know of anyone who has experienced this issue - or - am I concerned needlessly?
 

WyrTwister

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Some of the heat trap nipples have a little ball in both the HW and CW nipples . Do not know if that is any better than the flappers ?

About $ 10 + tax for the pair , at a local home improvement store .

If your electrical service is not properly grounded , you may still be having an electrolysis corrosion problem ?

God bless
Wyr
 
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