Water heater anode rods. Anybody ever bother changing them?

[Vandelay Industries]

I had a problem with an electric water heater in one of my rental properties last week. One of the heating elements shit the bed, but I could also see quite a bit of exterior corrosion on the tank along with water seepage, so it made sense to replace the 16 year old unit.

For the hell of it, I had a look at the anode rod...or what was left of it: absolutely nothing.



One of the other heaters was installed at the same time so I pulled the rod on that one...slightly better. At least the wire was still attached.



Since there is no visible corrosion and no sign of leakage, I put a new anode in that one. Maybe it'll buy a few more years, maybe not.

[Don Rickles]

https://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/...d.php?t=131128

[Big bob]

Yep in everyone depending on the water 3 to 5 years and two of my water heaters are over 20 years old. Also first thing is to change the factory drain with a full bore one.

[Vandelay Industries]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

https://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/...d.php?t=131128

It looks like an annual topic, right to the day.

[Bruze]

Originally Posted by Vandelay Industries

I had a problem with an electric water heater in one of my rental properties last week. One of the heating elements shit the bed, but I could also see quite a bit of exterior corrosion on the tank along with water seepage, so it made sense to replace the 16 year old unit.

For the hell of it, I had a look at the anode rod...or what was left of it: absolutely nothing.

Attachment 95250

One of the other heaters was installed at the same time so I pulled the rod on that one...slightly better. At least the wire was still attached.

Attachment 95251

Since there is no visible corrosion and no sign of leakage, I put a new anode in that one. Maybe it'll buy a few more years, maybe not.

Never changed one, or even looked. I had my 2012 unit I put in changed this past fall. Still worked fine, but had it changed before it blew.

Should be my last one ever.

[Don Rickles]

Originally Posted by Vandelay Industries

It looks like an annual topic, right to the day.

You gotta be stoned! You posted in that thread!

[Stangkiller]

Replacing mine tomorrow.

I bought a new washer and drier, which seems to have broken the dip tube in my water heater so replacing that and figured i might as well do the anode while im in there

[the new me]

I prefer powered anodes because they don't typically need replacement. But one way or the other, you must deal with the sacrifical anodes in your water heaters or you'll get the results you got.

Go here for some education:
https://waterheaterrescue.com/

[Vandelay Industries]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

You gotta be stoned! You posted in that thread!

That wasn't me! I was hacked!

[Bruze]

Originally Posted by Big bob

Yep in everyone depending on the water 3 to 5 years and two of my water heaters are over 20 years old. Also first thing is to change the factory drain with a full bore one.

Why is that? Cuz the stock one can get plugged with crap?

[KenHorse]

We're on a well that taps an underground spring (only 40' down!) so the water is really hard. So (of course), we have a water softener and we've found if the anode is in place in the water heater, the water really reeks of hydrogen sulfide.

So we don't run an anode at all. Gotta replace the water heater every 10 years or so however...

[Frankie the Fink]

Originally Posted by the new me

I prefer powered anodes because they don't typically need replacement. But one way or the other, you must deal with the sacrifical anodes in your water heaters or you'll get the results you got.

Go here for some education:
https://waterheaterrescue.com/

Truth, just like the sacrificial anodes on a watercraft.
Its a 10 minute job unless the anode's threads are seized, then is a PITA..

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by the new me

I prefer powered anodes because they don't typically need replacement.

My next water heater will have a powered anode.

Any particular brand/model that you recommend?

[KenHorse]

I'd always heard that a powered anode is called a "dildo"

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by KenHorse

We're on a well that taps an underground spring (only 40' down!) so the water is really hard. So (of course), we have a water softener and we've found if the anode is in place in the water heater, the water really reeks of hydrogen sulfide.

So we don't run an anode at all. Gotta replace the water heater every 10 years or so however...

There are different types of rods do some homework.

[KenHorse]

Originally Posted by Big bob

There are different types of rods do some homework.

My rod is just fine, thanks for asking

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by Bruze

Why is that? Cuz the stock one can get plugged with crap?

That and the one that come on it are crap and mostly plastic.

[GrandSportC3]

just replaced the heating rods and thermostats on an electric water heater at one of my rentals. The kit is $34 at home depot and has heating rods and thermostats.
As long as the tank is not leaking, I won't replace the water heater. I'll fix it. Spending $35 beats spending $500 on a new water heater.