Can I place a brass bibb on an iron pipe?

[David Soltz]

Need to replace the bibbs that connect to the washing machine. The iron plumbing more than 75 years old and one valve does not close properly. I replaced one with a brass bibb today, but it is dripping slowly from the threads and I will have to remount it. But I am also concerned about corrosion: is a dielectric union needed between the iron pipe and the brass bib? Should I just go with a PVC bibb?

 

[Geofd]

Show us pictures so we can advise you

 

[David Soltz]

Show is pictures so we can advise you

 

[David Soltz]

View attachment 47123

The bibb that I just replaced is on the left. Since it had male threads I removed the black iron nipple.

 

[Geofd]

What make you think it's black iron if it's part of you drinking water supply black iron is not approved for that , maybe galvanized????

 

[Twowaxhack]

You need to replace all that steel piping with copper or pex.

 

[Ed O'Connell]

Dielectric corrosion not a problem between brass and GALVANIZED iron. In fact one code (I know UPC does) advises using 6" brass nipples between copper and galvanized for dielectric use. I used to do that when installing a water heater a long, LONG time ago but stopped when flex connectors with built in diectric properties came along. If there's going to be a transition in a wall it's still necessary to use brass between copper and galv. - Jeez, forgive my old a$$ - I tend to proselytise about doin' plumbing the right way and WHY we still should.

 

[David Soltz]

Dielectric corrosion not a problem between brass and GALVANIZED iron. In fact one code (I know UPC does) advises using 6" brass nipples between copper and galvanized for dielectric use. I used to do that when installing a water heater a long, LONG time ago but stopped when flex connectors with built in diectric properties came along. If there's going to be a transition in a wall it's still necessary to use brass between copper and galv. - Jeez, forgive my old a$$ - I tend to proselytise about doin' plumbing the right way and WHY we still should.

Thanks! This is exactly the information that I was looking for