Shouldn't the elbows be copper??

[rchewning]

Shouldn't the elbows be copper??? I saw this and a question was raised in my mind. Isn't it something that I should call out? The combination of metals is a no-no, correct? I've looked through the archives, on line, and through what literature I have and can not find an answer..... I already called out the PRV not being piped to w/i 6" of the ground and did not want to send out the inspection before answering the question in my mind...Thanks for the help...

[cbuell]

The bigger problem here is what appears to be the reduction in size of the TPRV drain

[tneumann]

Galvanized to galvanized is okay....

It's the galv to copper that needs to be addressed....that is where the corrosion will take place.

I can't see in the pic if they used a dialectric connection or not...

[pdacey]

Roger,

It's hard to see the fitting that connects the copper to the elbow. It is probably a di-electric fitting which has a plastic bushing to keep the dissimilar metals from contacting one another. You can not see the bushing after it is installed. Some of the older di-electric fittings have a groove around the diameter of the fitting but a lot of them don't.

[Brian E. Kelly]

The piping looks in better condition than the top of the water heater, well except for the crimped copper.

[rchewning]

I read right over that in my #1 reference... "The discharge tubes have to be at least the same diameter as the relief valve." Thanks...Makes sense...

The heater is 14 y/o. I would think there would be a sign of corrosion if they did not use the proper connector... So would the comment read something like, "The Inspector is unable to determine whether the proper di-electric connection was utilized with the installation of the galvanized elbows. If the copper and galvanized metals touch, the combination leads to corrosion via a chemical reaction. Recommend a licensed Plumber inspect."

Thanks for the info... and yes, the top was pretty nasty... And I wondered about the crimped copper also.. That answered another question...

[tneumann]

I wouldn't..if it is that old...I would mention that water heaters have a life span of 8-12 years and this one is at the end of that spectrum...so who cares about the connections

[rchewning]

That's exactly what I am doing... I making a comment about the effective life of a water heater and how it would be feasible to replace with a new unit given the cost of repair for the current unit...