Hot water heater

[bigu430]

I have been having a lot of Cold water inlets fail on The Bradford White H2O heaters on my property recently. After replacing them and the inlet and nipple the connections dint leak. After some thought I relay should be replacing the gaskets as well. Can I use a hose washer like the ones for my washing machines? Or will this be an issue with the heat from the tank?

[bigbuck]

should be able to use the washer that comes with hoses, water heaters do not exceed 140 degree.

[rego]

Bradford White's I believe have the cold inlet conected to the dip tube and hot on the anode.  Are you having to replace the nipple and dip tube?  If you are using flex piping they do have a rating for the washer and I would use the BWC washers.