Tape on Water Heater Connector That Has Gasket? Vertex Blue Caps on Connector Question

[cloves]

Hi guys,

I am in the middle of installing a new copper flex line to my new water heater (See picture). This connector has a female thread that connects to the water heater and a gasket that sits inside the female thread. Question, do I need to use tape on the male thread since there is a gasket on the female?

Second question that just popped up. This is a AO Smith Vertex and both the cold water and hot water pipe (MPT) have blue caps with trap doors that open and close. I thought these were just protection caps that needed to come off but now I am thinking they are made to stay on there? No mention in the instructions. (See Picture)

 

[Terry]

The water heater flex with rubber washer installs without tape. Tape can only cause a problem there. If a strand of tape overlays where the rubber gasket fits, it can create a gap.
Tape around the threads just adds more resistence when threading down. And it serves no purpose.

The pipe nipples have heat traps. Leave those there.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[cloves]

Thanks Terry!

 

[hj]

Tape on a thread that does not need it is usually "neutral". It doesn't do any good, but doesn't do any harm either., sort of like Drano in a sink drain.