Does my water heater have an anode rod?
Water heaters don’t need anode rods to function, but they help preserve the quality of the water and can double the lifespan of the heater. Without anode rods, a water tank will corrode and leak or even burst. Anode rods are designed to deteriorate, so they need to be replaced in order to remain functional.
What does a water heater anode rod do?
What Does an Anode Rod Do in a Water Heater?
- Protecting Your Water Heater. Water heaters are susceptible to rust and corrosion because of the materials used to construct them and how these materials react to water.
- Evaluating the Anode Rod. ...
- Helping Keep Your Water Heaters in Great Shape. ...
What kind of anode rod should I use?
Top 3 Best Anode rod to use with Softened Water
- Corro-Protec CP-R Water Heater Powered Titanium Anode Rod Using the Corro-Protec CP-R titanium anode rod can help eliminate rotten egg odor from water heaters. ...
- Aluminum Zinc Anode Rods for Water Heaters Anode rods are designed to eliminate the smell that comes from hard water. ...
- Ozek RV Water Heater Magnesium Anode Rod
How to replace a hot water tank anode rod?
How to Replace an Anode Rod (6 Steps)
- Shut Off the Power and Water. Before performing any work on a water heater, you should always turn off the circuit breaker or turn off the thermostat ...
- Locate the Anode Rod. The anode rod will be located on the top side of the unit. ...
- Drain Some Water Out of the Tank. ...
- Remove the Anode Rod. ...
- Install the New Anode Rod. ...
- Restore Water and Power. ...
What type of anode rod is used in water heaters?
Magnesium Anode Rods. This is the most common type of anode rod used in residential water heating units. Magnesium rods are not recommended to be used in homes with hard water as they will corrode quickly, reducing the effectiveness of the anode rod to almost nothing in a very short time.
How big is a water heater anode rod?
The diameter of residential water heater anode rods is universal at 3/4 inches. However, the length and type of the anode rod may not be the same. Also, some anode rods are attached to the top of the water heater, while others are connected to the hot water outlet.
What are the Different Types of Anode Rods?
There are 5 types of anode rods. However, the majority of all water heaters will have an aluminum, magnesium, or zinc anode rod. Let’s look at each below:
How to Cut an Anode Rod?
If you have an anode rod that doesn’t fit your water heater perfectly, you can cut it down. The correct way to do this is to place it into the water heater (without screwing it in), so you can see how high it is. Then, measure the distance that the rod protrudes out of the top of the tank and add an extra inch. Use a hacksaw to cut the excess off and then place the rod back in the tank. Screw it into place, and you’re done!
How Often Should You Change Anode Rods in Water Heaters?
Water heater anode rods should be changed approximately once every 3 to 5 years, provided that the unit is functioning correctly. If you live in an area with extremely hard water and a higher composition of calcium and magnesium minerals, then you may need to change it more frequently, around once every 3 years or so. The quality of the water is the real determining factor here.
How often should anode rods be replaced?
Anode rods should be replaced every 3 to 5 years, depending on your water quality.
Why are aluminum anode rods used?
Aluminum anode rods were more commonly found in older water heaters. They are no longer commonly used due to the risk of metal poisoning in the hot tap water supply. This is the cheapest and longest-lasting type of anode rod available. Aluminum anode rods can be easily identified because it is very flexible.
