I am replacing my water heater and will need to extend the galvanized steel water lines (cold supply in, and hot out) up higher for the new unit. I'm curious about recommendations on what type of fittings/pipe to use to connect to the galvanized pipe. I can find all of the fittings I would need in galvanized, except for a shutoff valve for the cold supply (which I need to replace as well). The only shut off valves I've been able to source are either brass or stainless. I've read that it may not be best to connect brass or stainless to galvanized without a dielectric fitting, but I haven't been able to find on that specifies it's for galvanized NPT to brass NPT.

Long story short... can I use a brass shut-off valve with galvanized pipe? Or... how do I connect brass fittings to the existing galvanized pipe? Any thoughts/guidance/recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

A brass valve is what you want to use and what you will find.



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while they are 'called' brass valves they are actually a 'specialty' alloy of bronze and are quite suitable for galvanized pipe

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

But, if you are using copper from the valve to the heater, you will need a di-electric union so you don't get galvanic action between the steel and copper. If using a stainless steel flex connection, I don't think you need a di-electric union.

our world class sponsor has flexible connectors in all sizes.
a couple of these would do you.
[www.plumbingsupply.com]

Thank you to all, this is exactly the info I needed. I do plan on using the stainless flex hoses from PlumbingSupply. To confirm... it sounds like I'm good to go with the following setup:

Existing Galvanized > Galvanized extension fittings (coupling/nipple/elbow) > Galvanized nipple > Brass Shut-off > Galvanized nipple > Stainless Flex > Water Heater

Does that sound correct?

When I bought my house 24 years ago, the inspector pointed out the galvanized pipes and predicted failure within 10 years. The water main failed after about 5 years. I started replacing all the galvanized nearby whatever remodel or repair I was doing: bathrooms, kitchen, water heater. When the long runs finally did start to drip after 19 years, the repipe job was less than half the size it would have otherwise been. So my advice would be, replace all the galvanized near the water heater, and consider going back to the next joint/drop/riser/whatever.

sounds like you have experience making up a plumbing stock list.
now, tell the truth. did you write the list on a piece of paper or on a wood shingle? hahaha
pick up a roll of blue monster teflon tape as well.

lol... yeah, but mostly for fun... Hot summers where I live so I've built a lot of water-related stuff with PVC for the kids over the years. :] Thanks again for the help!



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