Electric Water Heater Anode Rod Replacement

Since most water heaters use a standard 3 4 npt connection you simply need to choose the type of installation you have.

Electric water heater anode rod replacement.

Anode rods help prevent corrosion of the hot water heater s glass lined tank. An anode rod will corrode and deteriorate over time until it s no longer capable of functioning and has to be replaced. 4 use a ratchet wrench and 1 1 16 inch deep socket to unscrew the anode rod from the heater. 3 locate the anode rod on the water heater.

This diy repair guide explains how to replace the anode rod in an electric water heater. Water heaters use an anode rod to attract and remove sediments from the water being heated. 5 if the anode rod won t budge slip a steel pipe onto ratchet wrench handle for extra leverage. Natural micro organisms and sulfates that exist in some water can react to the aluminum or magnesium anode rods in the hot water tank creating a rotten egg smell.

The rod may be under the water heater s sheet metal top or connected to the hot water outlet nipple. A few newer plastic lined tanks have no anode rods to replace before you get started close the shutoff valve turn on the hot water at a faucet to relieve pressure and turn off the electricity or gas to the heater. 2 partially drain the water heater. Changing the anode rod every four years is a great way to extend the life of your water heater.

An anode rod is a special metal element that s meant to slowly dissolve so that the tank itself doesn t corrode. The anode rod helps prevent tank corrosion. This old house plumbing and heating contractor richard trethewey shows a simple way to add years to your water heater by swapping out the sacrificial metal. This is a common problem with older water heaters and in certain parts of the country.

If necessary unscrew and lift off the cover from the top of the heater. 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. The rod is made from either aluminum or magnesium and. When the anode rod is depleted it no longer offers corrosion protection for the tank.