Electric Water Heater Anode Rod

As mentioned above you might have a water heater with a separate inlet for the anode rod or your anode rod might be installed on the hot water outlet.

Electric water heater anode rod.

Water heaters use an anode rod to attract and remove sediments from the water being heated. Rods are made from magnesium aluminum or aluminum zinc alloy. As long as the anode in the system is working the metal of the rod wears away rather than the hot water heater lining. Find anode rod water heater parts at lowe s today.

Aluminum replacement rods are sold at home centers. An anode rod is a special metal element that s meant to slowly dissolve so that the tank itself doesn t corrode. 5 if the anode rod won t budge slip a steel pipe onto ratchet wrench handle for extra leverage. When the anode rod is depleted it no longer offers corrosion protection for the tank.

A water heater anode is used in most hot water tanks in order to prevent the corrosion of the tank s metal lining. However if you replace your water heater anode rod before it fails about every five years you can double the life of your water heater. Removed the anode rod from my hot water tank and it was totally dissolved after 3 5 years of service using city water and water softener. If necessary unscrew and lift off the cover from the top of the heater.

This rod is designed to attract corrosive elements extending the life of your heater. In most cases the hexagonal head of the rod is visible on the top of the water heater. An anode rod will corrode and deteriorate over time until it s no longer capable of functioning and has to be replaced. You need to periodically replace these rods and have the option of getting the same type of rod or a different one such as a powered anode rod.

3 locate the anode rod on the water heater. Replaced the original aluminum anode rod with a magnesium anode rod at a cost of approximately 24. Since most water heaters use a standard 3 4 npt connection you simply need to choose the type of installation you have. Anode rods are usually found near the outlet pipes on the inside of the heating tank and are connected with a hex head screw.

Determined the problem could be due to a worn out anode rod in my hot water heater. Amazed that the. Magnesium flexible water heater anode rod magnesium anode rod for hot water heaters 44 inch long 0 8 inch diameter 3 4 npt thread including 1 1 16 inch hex socket tool and teflon tape 4 6 out of 5 stars 62. Changing the anode rod every four years is a great way to extend the life of your water heater.