How To Replace The Anode In A Water Heater

Extend the Life of Your Water Heater past Replacing the Anode Rod

Updated: Nov. 28, 2019

Double the life of your h2o heater with this simple repair

water heater anode rod Family Handyman

Replacing the anode rod in a water heater before it fails can slow downwards corrosion inside the tank and significantly extend the life of the water heater, sometimes even doubling information technology.

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Remove the sometime anode rod

Photo ane: Remove the erstwhile water heater anode rod

Loosen the hex head with a short burst from your bear upon wrench. Unscrew information technology by hand once information technology's loose.

Photo ii: Install the new h2o heater anode rod

Coat the threads with pipe dope and slide the new rod into the tank. Tighten with a socket and ratchet by hand.

Nigh water heater tanks are steel with a sparse drinking glass lining to protect the metal from corrosion. Since the lining eventually cracks, tanks have a second line of defense against rust: a long metal "anode rod" that attracts corrosive elements in the water. When the rod itself becomes and so corroded that it can no longer practise its job, the tank soon rusts out, leaks and needs replacement. However, if you replace your water heater anode rod before it fails, about every five years, you tin double the life of your water heater.

Rods are made from magnesium, aluminum or aluminum/zinc alloy. Aluminum replacement rods are sold at habitation centers. In about cases, the hexagonal head of the rod is visible on the height of the h2o heater. If you don't see the hex head, check your owner'south manual. The rod may exist nether the h2o heater's sheet metal tiptop or connected to the hot water outlet nipple. (A few newer plastic-lined tanks have no anode rods to replace.)

Before yous 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. Open up the drain valve near the bottom of the tank and drain out several gallons of h2o. Circumspection: The h2o is hot!

Drain some water from the tank to check for rust. It's time for a new water heater if you see rusty flakes (not just orange water, which can come up from corroded pipes or well h2o). If the h2o is clean, remove the rod to check its condition.

To loosen the rod, you'll demand an air compressor, a 1/2-in.-drive impact wrench and a 1-1/16-in. socket. If yous don't have an touch on wrench, become buy a inexpensive one for about $30. Even with a billow bar, it can be virtually impossible to break the anode rod free.

Turn off the power or gas. Then close the cold-water valve at the top of the tank and bleed off several gallons. Loosen the hex head with the impact wrench, just unscrew it the rest of the way by paw.

Hint: The hex head may be nether a plastic cap. Uncover information technology, then pull information technology upwardly and out to check its condition (Photograph 1).

Buy a new anode rod at a home middle or online (see sources below). Install a flexible rod if you take less than 44 in. of clearance above your heater (Photo 2). Turn on the water, the power or gas, and burp the air from the system. Check the status of your anode rod every three years.

If the hex caput is set up below the top of the heater, you'll need a ane-one/sixteen-in. socket to reach it. If information technology protrudes above the meridian, you can use any type of wrench. Chances are your onetime anode rod will be frozen in identify by corrosion. Douse the head with a spray lubricant such equally WD-twoscore and requite it a few minutes to penetrate. You may also take to slip a "cheater" pipe over the wrench handle to increase your torque. The weight of the h2o in the tank is usually plenty to keep the unabridged heater from turning. Only if information technology begins to move, take a helper (or two) hold it in place.

When the threads break free, stop turning and look for water effectually the hex head. If you run into leakage, bleed the tank further. If yous don't have enough overhead clearance to pull the rod out of the tank, bend it as you remove it. Then when y'all buy a new rod, cull a flexible, "segmented" version. Smear Teflon pipage thread sealant on the threads of the new rod before you lot install it. Don't use record, since it can reduce the effectiveness of the rod. Before you lot turn on the water and electricity or gas, drain another gallon out of the tank to flush out any remaining droppings.

Tips for buying an anode rod

New vs. used

Anode rods are designed to concenter corrosive elements in the water, thereby diminishing corrosion in the vulnerable steel liner.

A magnesium water heater anode rod protects your tank better but doesn't last as long as an aluminum/ zinc rod.
Aluminum/zinc rods anode are cheaper and are recommended if y'all have smelly h2o. But consult a water treatment specialist before switching to an aluminum rod.