A homeowner turned to Reddit's plumbing community after discovering corrosion around a pipe connection on their five-year-old water heater, despite no apparent problems with the hot water supply.
Here's what to know
"What's going on with my water heater?" they asked in the post.
Commenters weighed several possible causes, including a leaking connection and incompatible metal fittings. They also discussed whether the problem could require replacing the tank.
"There's no water pooling, and we are not having any problems with hot water supply," the OP explained in a comment.
They added that the corrosion was on the hot-water connection and the cold-water side had a shutoff.
For households considering replacement, heat pump water heaters can lower energy spending by moving heat into water rather than generating it directly.
More background
Another point of discussion was whether warranty coverage remained available.
The original poster hoped to pursue coverage if the problem qualified, though commenters disagreed on whether that would be possible.
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One user said that might depend on a receipt or proof of purchase. Another person noted improper installation would affect coverage, though someone else recommended pursuing a warranty claim.
"Warranty may send you the nipple but will not pay labor for someone to install it," one commenter wrote.
What can be done?
For another commenter, the key detail was the direct contact between two metals: copper and galvanized pipe. They blamed the corrosion on a galvanic reaction.
Their proposed fix paired a new short pipe nipple at the tank with a dielectric union at the copper pipe connection. They would then reattach the copper piping.
The soldered joint left the homeowner unsure whether the work required a plumber. Another person advised including an anode-rod check while addressing the connection.
Cala offers configurable smart heat pump water heaters. Matching water-heating schedules to household demand can help reduce energy use by aligning heating with when people need hot water. For a household weighing repair costs against future operating expenses, that scheduling capability gives Cala units another way to help manage bills.
Where can I learn more?
Corrosion on a five-year-old water heater raises practical questions about leaks, maintenance, and warranty coverage.
• A corroded six-year-old water heater prompted warnings that hard water may shorten its lifespan.
• A water heater can still produce hot water even when its tank is already failing.
• An anode rod nearly disappeared after three years, prompting advice for yearly checks in soft-water homes.
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