Water Heater bypass valve

[dogbate1]

My suburban water heater has a bypass(shutoff) valve on the cold water side. There is a lot of elbo's, and tee's in the plumbing, which is under the sink, in a cabinet in the kitchen. I have a a small persistant drip in one of the fittings, on the cold water line. I don't winterize my fifth wheel, as it is stored inside when not being used. My question is, can I do away with all the excess plumbing, and the shut off valve, and hook my cold supply line, and hot return line directly to the water heater? Thanks for any help.

[no3putt]

You could, how about the next owner or if you ever travel to a cold area and have to winterize. Myself would just repair and leave the bypass in place.

[Argosy]

If it's under the sink and crimp fittings it will probably be a pain to work on. It would be easier to fix the one fitting that is leaking than tear everything out and replumb the water heater in a tight space.

[jesilvas]

It won't hurt to take it out as long as you hook it back up right.

[dogbate1]

Thank you everyone for your comments, and suggestions. I was ablt to have a new hose made, with new fittings today. Finally I got my leak stopped, and all the plumbing stayed the way it was. Again, thanks to everyone. Tom

[wa8yxm]

IF you remove the bypass valve make labels (A brother P-Touch is nice for this) and label the inside of the water heater outside access door, The water heater (Some part of it, the control board compartment is likely best) and the area where the valve was to indicate they should winterize by the DRY method only as there is no heater bypass.

But yes, it will work.

I would rather see a 3-valve bypass system.. In case you had to remove the heater for any reason, this greatly simplifies it.