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Overdue anode rod

WNYguy | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on February 28, 2008 09:00am

For some time, I’ve been meaning to check the condition of my hot water heater’s anode rod.  I put it off because the last time (on another heater), it took two people and an 8-foot extension on my lug wrench to unscrew it.

This one put up much less of a fight.  Now I’m kicking myself for delaying.  I wonder how much corrosion has attacked the inside of the tank.

Funny, until a discussion here on BT a few years ago, I was completely unaware of the anode rod.  My ignorance wasn’t unusual, based on conversations with some otherwise very competent and knowledgeable homeowners.  Plus, anode rods aren’t something I see stocked at the local hardware stores, or even at the big boxes.

Here’s a comparison of the old one, and a new one (that I ordered on-line):

View Image

Allen

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Replies

  1. restorationday | Feb 28, 2008 11:32pm | #1

    Thats cause they would rather have you buy a new water heater

    1. WNYguy | Feb 29, 2008 02:32am | #4

      "Thats cause they would rather have you buy a new water heater"

      I suspect that is, indeed, the case.

      Allen

  2. dirtyturk | Feb 28, 2008 11:43pm | #2

    Mind a question?

    Are you on city water or well?  If I were to judge the water source by the color of the old rod I would say city water but given the rods' purpose it may be either. I'm curious as to whether one or the other would be harder on the rod and then need more frequent inspection. Of course I'm on well water and am always watching the system.

    Now I got to go check mine. Haven't for a long time.

    ciao, ted

    1. WNYguy | Feb 29, 2008 02:50am | #6

      Ted,

      I'm on well water.   I have a water-softening system that includes a chlorine injector to remove the sulfur.

      I believe the sulfur has a geologic source, as I have seen no evidence of sulfur-producing bacteria.  But we still get a sulfur odor occasionally at the taps, so the new anode rod is made of a manganese alloy (as I recall ... but could be wrong) that bacteria don't eat.  Just in case.

      The old rod was whatever the standard material is.

      So ... it could be that the salt from the softener hastens the anode deterioration.  Or maybe the chlorine (if I've over-chlorinated).  Or maybe those little sulfur bugs have been eating it.

      Allen

      1. dirtyturk | Feb 29, 2008 05:44pm | #7

        Allen,

        I hadn't considered the water-softener...I don't have one installed.  Haven't really had a need for one. Well pump is at 65ft, 15ft of water over the pump, and my water only has a very slight iron content. Basically sweetwater. (And no chemically-enhanced lawns within a 1000ft or so).  Your being in WNY got me to thinking that the geology has something to do with both our water sources.

        Since moving in here 20+years ago haven't had the usual iron water problems except for the hot water valves going bad after about 10years. Plastic/brass internals on all of them now.

        Man, I would not want any sulfur source in my water! I like my omelets with peppers, onions, and bits of bacon not coming out of my tap.

        Thanks for the response.

        ciao, ted

         

  3. MSA1 | Feb 29, 2008 01:24am | #3

    Dont be so wasteful, you got another month on the old one easy.

    1. WNYguy | Feb 29, 2008 02:36am | #5

      "... you got another month on the old one easy"

      You think?  Actually, I wonder how long it's been sitting in there with just that last drop of corrosion hanging onto the end of the rod.

      And where does the rest of that rust go?  Piled up at the bottom of the tank, or does it dissolve away?

      Allen

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