Replacing Water Heater Sacrificial Anode

This part literally sacrifices itself to keep the tank in optimal condition.

Replacing water heater sacrificial anode.

When the anode rod has rusted away the water heater s tank may begin to rust which will cause the water heater to fail and you ll end up paying hundreds for a brand new water heater. This rod protects the tank from corrosion by corroding first before the tank. If necessary unscrew and lift off the cover from the top of the heater. 4 use a ratchet wrench and 1 1 16 inch deep socket to unscrew the anode rod from the heater.

The length is the same as a flexible rob and install is the same. Bucket or hose to remove a couple gallons of water. Protect your water heater from corrosion by learning how to replace the anode rod. Removing the sacrificial anode rod.

Standard sacrificial anode rods are the more common water heater anode rod out of the 2. These anode rod replacement instructions presented here are generalized to work with a wide selection of brands and heater. Aluminum replacement rods are sold at home centers. That s why it s important to replace or at least check your anode rod every three years.

2 partially drain the water heater. A replacement anode rod a socket wrench a 1 and 1 16 inch socket a 24 inch cheater bar or pipe a flat blade screwdriver teflon tape a garden hose and a hacksaw. You can order an anode rod replacement for your water heater by directly from the hot water heater manufacturer. 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.

Once the anode is gone the tank begins to. Many people are unaware of just how much the water heater s anode rod does in order to protect the lining of your heater s tank. Possibly a helper or two replacement sacrificial anode rod. Replacing your anode rod at regular intervals may increase the life of your water heater saving you money time and the inconvenience of having to replace your water heater one of the most important considerations in having a normal life span for your water heater is whether the anode rod is performing it s job to divert corrosive action away from the tank walls to the anode rod.

With this one tho we don t have to straighten the rod as we are lower and install it into the tank as there will be room overhead. Inside every water heater is a long metal rod called an anode rod made of various metals. Rods are made from magnesium aluminum or aluminum zinc alloy. 5 if the anode rod won t budge slip a steel pipe onto ratchet wrench handle for extra leverage.

A high quality 6 point 1 1 16 impact socket. In most cases the hexagonal head of the rod is visible on the top of the water heater. That s why it s also referred to as a sacrificial anode. How to replace a sacrificial anode rod.