Rods used in water heater tanks can be nearly 4 feet long so they are quite large and heavy.
Are there anode rods in gas water heaters.
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This rod is called an anode rod or sometimes a sacrificial anode rod and it is the only reason your water heater hasn t left you bathing in rusty water.
If necessary unscrew and lift off the cover from the top of the heater.
6 lift out and discard the old anode rod.
Change the anode rod not the water heater the anode rod in your water heater is designed to decay instead of your water s heater tank itself.
The rod greatly extends the lifespan of your tank by being the sacrificial lamb.
As long as the anode in the system is working the metal of the rod wears away rather than the hot water heater lining.
How does an anode rod work.
Eventually the anode rod is completely consumed usually just before your water heater warranty is up and the water heater tank begins to decay and ultimately rusts fails cracks and leaks.
Unless your water is exceptionally iron laden you should be fine with an aluminum or magnesium rod.
This is probably the most widely used metal in modern water heaters although it is not very good in places where the water is hard.
How an anode rod protects your water heater water heaters in general are vulnerable to rusting and corroding simply because of the composition of water and the process of how the materials that manufacturers use to make water heaters such as steel react to oxygen and moisture.
Installing magnesium anodes in a corroded tank can lead to an electro chemical reaction that produces hydrogen gas leading to water leaks.
As mentioned previously the anode rod is of utmost importance inside of the water heater.
1 turn off water and fuel supply gas or electricity to water heater.
Diameter flexible magnesium anode rod for electric and gas water heaters.
If you live in a hard water area and have magnesium anodes you will have to check that the lining of the hot water tank is free from corrosion.
Your water quality the location of the anode rod and how easy it is to access the installation point.
There are several options for replacing your anode rod with magnesium aluminum or a combination of aluminum zinc and tin being the most common anode rod materials.
If you have the user manual for the water heater it will include a diagram which shows where the anode rod is located otherwise consult the manufacturer s website.
Water rusts metal and your water heater would be a crumbling mess without a small rod inserted into the top of the tank.
No it s not a lie.
The anode rod will be located on the top side of the unit.
Most water heaters come with an aluminum rod as standard equipment what rod you choose will depend on three things.
Tankless water heaters don t have anode rods but standard tank style heaters will have one.
Anode rods are usually found near the outlet pipes on the inside of the heating tank and are connected with a hex head screw.
Another popular metal for making anode rods is magnesium.
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In some cases it may be directly connected to the hot water outlet line on top of the heater.
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3 locate the anode rod on the water heater.
4 use a ratchet wrench and 1 1 16 inch deep socket to unscrew the anode rod from the heater.
