Hello, Two years ago I installed a Bredford-White Defender 48 gallon water heater in my residental house (nat. gas). The water heater itself was working perfectly but I saw a coming problem. The water heater ,cold water inlett pipe (The short treaded pipe sticking out from the top of the water heater) is rusting away. There is no leak and (never was) at the connection to the copper cold water supply pipe There is always thick deposit forming on this short treaded pipe therefore it is unusable to make a new connection The treads are gone already. The hot water side pipe is like new. Thanks for your help. Alex 44