Electric Water Heater Anode Rod

A water heater anode is used in most hot water tanks in order to prevent the corrosion of the tank s metal lining.

Electric water heater anode rod.

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. In most cases the hexagonal head of the rod is visible on the top of the water heater. Changing the anode rod every four years is a great way to extend the life of your water 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.

An anode rod will corrode and deteriorate over time until it s no longer capable of functioning and has to be replaced. Find anode rod water heater parts at lowe s today. Rods are made from magnesium aluminum or aluminum zinc alloy. 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.

As long as the anode in the system is working the metal of the rod wears away rather than the hot water heater lining. When the anode rod is depleted it no longer offers corrosion protection for the tank. 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. An anode rod is a special metal element that s meant to slowly dissolve so that the tank itself doesn t corrode.

When your water gets a sulfur smell it often involves the anode rod in your hot water heater. Since most water heaters use a standard 3 4 npt connection you simply need to choose the type of installation you have. 5 if the anode rod won t budge slip a steel pipe onto ratchet wrench handle for extra leverage. If necessary unscrew and lift off the cover from the top of the heater.

Water heaters use an anode rod to attract and remove sediments from the water being heated. This rod is designed to attract corrosive elements extending the life of your heater. Anode rods are usually found near the outlet pipes on the inside of the heating tank and are connected with a hex head screw. 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.

Amazed that the. 4 use a ratchet wrench and 1 1 16 inch deep socket to unscrew the anode rod from the heater. Determined the problem could be due to a worn out anode rod in my hot water heater. This is a common problem with older water heaters and in certain parts of the country.