Electric Water Heater Anode Rod Replacement

Natural micro organisms and sulfates that exist in some water can react to the aluminum or magnesium anode rods in the hot water tank creating a rotten egg smell.

Electric water heater anode rod replacement.

The rod may be under the water heater s sheet metal top or connected to the hot water outlet nipple. An anode rod is a special metal element that s meant to slowly dissolve so that the tank itself doesn t corrode. How to remove an anode rod from an a o. 5 if the anode rod won t budge slip a steel pipe onto ratchet wrench handle for extra leverage.

The anode rod helps prevent tank corrosion. 3 locate the anode rod on the water heater. The rod is made from either aluminum or magnesium and. This old house plumbing and heating contractor richard trethewey shows a simple way to add years to your water heater by swapping out the sacrificial metal.

Open the drain valve. Since most water heaters use a standard 3 4 npt connection you simply need to choose the type of installation you have. Anode rods help prevent corrosion of the hot water heater s glass lined tank. This is a common problem with older water heaters and in certain parts of the country.

4 use a ratchet wrench and 1 1 16 inch deep socket to unscrew the anode rod from the heater. Find anode rod water heater parts at lowe s today. If necessary unscrew and lift off the cover from the top of the heater. Water heaters use an anode rod to attract and remove sediments from the water being heated.

This diy repair guide explains how to replace the anode rod in an electric water heater. An anode rod will corrode and deteriorate over time until it s no longer capable of functioning and has to be replaced. Changing the anode rod every four years is a great way to extend the life of your water heater. As mentioned above you might have a water heater with a separate inlet for the anode rod or your anode rod might be installed on the hot water outlet.