 Loosen
screws holding top of
metal tank shellto see if the top
can be removed and give more access to short nipple...
.... there is no way water heater manufacturers are installing short
nipples after the tank top is put in place...
... otherwise they wouldn't be installing short nipples...
It
takes quite a bit of wrestling to remove lid according to Marc who
contacted me after getting nowhere with Bradford White phone
representative.
I suggested that he remove the lid on top of heater, and he sent photos
showing result.
 Even
with the lid off, the insulation needs to be cut away or removed, and
according to Marc there is still not enough space for a big pipe wrench.
Marc
didn't go further with the project, and didn't cut the insulation
... he concluded that the Bradford White combo anode rod that
is
connected to cold water inlet is unserviceable and cannot be inspected
or replaced ... rendering the Bradford White heater at the bottom of my
recommendation for new heater because all Bradford heaters have combo
anode 2019 .,.. AO Smith is best choice because they post service
manuals and have hex head anode located in separate port on top of
heater, but they still have the short nipple for hot and cold inlets.
 Replace anode on Bradford white heater
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Short
nipple on Whirlpool water heater
made by Craftmaster (AO Smith)
WHY
do these companies put short nipples on water heaters??? They added
more insulation to top of heater, but kept same length nipple
... they save money... and you have the problem
Resources:
Water heater manufacturers/ contact them and
complain
How to maintain water heater
Replace combo anode |
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Pipe
extractor might
work in a
pex-lined nipple
The are different styles of pipe extractors
Buy:
pipe
extractor |
Larger image
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Remove
short water heater nipple
Remove water heater pipe
Hard
to remove Bradford White combo anode
If pipe wrench alone will not do job
Drive a screw extractor into the nipple
Then use pipe wrench on the nipple, with crescent wrench on the screw
extractor
Substitute Knipex channel locks for pipe wrench
Example: Bradford White anode rods are combo (connected to Hot water
nipple), and the nipples are very
short
Buy:
Spiral screw extractor at Amazon
Knipex
channel locks
Irwin
pliers
Resources:
How to replace anode rod |
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Another
option/ for
longer nipples
Insert 5/8" carriage bolt into
nipple to prevent collapse
Or 9/16" carriage bolt in pex-lined nipple
Prevent water heater nipple from collapse
Buy:
Knipex
channel locks
Pipe
wrenches at Amazon
|
Just
got email from person who tried this method... He says: The nail might
bend... try inserting a screwdriver instead of using a nail
|
Option
for removing short water heater nipple on Rheem water heater
1) Drill hole through nipple for stout
nail
or bolt
2) Use jig saw with metal cutting blade... Cut slots in 1-1/2" or
1-1/4"
pipe... big pipe fits over nipple with nail.
3) Put big pipe over water heater nipple... line up slots with nail
Might work
Heat nipple with torch
Buy:
Jig
saws at Amazon
Jig
saw blades at Amazon
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Option
for removing short water heater nipple
Tee and nail-thru-hole, and turn with big pipe wrench.
Use hex bushing instead of Tee, use hardened rod instead of nail, then
use breaker bar
To much pressure on nipple can cause weakened weldment, that eventually
cause tank to start seeping water through top of tank
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Replace
short water heater nipple with brass or stainless steel nipple
I recommend brass for noncorrosion,
or stainless for corrosion-resistance
Use 6 wraps of teflon tape on
threads.
6 wraps is standard for all water heater connections, including TP
valve and anode rod etc
Buy:
3/4" x 6" brass nipple
3/4" x 6 stainless nipple at Amazon
Pipe
threaders
Resources:
How to maintain water heater
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Replace
short nipple with longer di-electric nipple
Add 6 wraps teflon tape
Prevent corrosion between water heater and flexible
connections
They should make longer ones for the new water
heaters
Buy:
Dielectric
nipples at Amazon
5" di-electric nipple |
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Use
brass pipes, elbows and nipples when connecting copper pipe to
galvanized pipe
Save
cost of plumbing repairs
Prevent electrolytic corrosion/ deterioration of galvanized pipes and
clogs
Use 6 wraps teflon tape on threads
Do not use stainless if system has water softener. Softened water will
react to stainless. Turn down softening.
Buy:
Brass
nipples at Amazon
Brass
elbows at Amazon
Resources:
Low
hot water pressure |
 |
3/4" Water heater supply line
This type of supply line does NOT require teflon tape on threads
Will attach directly to water heater nipple
Buy:
Braided
water heater line
Flexible
water heater connection |
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Related
resources:
Read about dip tubes
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