I got this from Paul Bianchina's March 2008 News Letter and though it was good info. You may subscribe to his news letter by going to inman.com
Q. Is there some type of rod in a water heater that should be periodically replaced?
A. What you're probably referring to is a little known part of your water heater called the anode rod. Most people don't know that it exists, but without it your water heater would develop serious rust or other problems within a very short time.
Water heater tanks are steel, and since they're filled with water, you have the obvious potential for problems. Most of today's water heater tanks are now fiberglass lined to create a barrier between the water and the steel, but that liner is subject to manufacturing imperfections, as well as fluctuations in water temperature and pressure and sediment damage that can affect its integrity, creating small areas of exposed steel.
To protect that exposed steel, water heater manufacturers utilize a sacrificial anode rod. Anode rods are made from aluminum or magnesium that is wrapped around an inner steel wire core, and they are specifically designed to attract the corrosion- and odor-causing minerals and sediment present in the water. This attraction allows the rod to corrode rather than the tank.
Depending on the mineral content of your water, anode rods will typically last anywhere from 5 to 7 years or more. Water that is being softened with sodium will cause the rods to degrade more quickly. If you have been experiencing an odd smell in your hot water - most commonly described as a "rotten egg" type of odor - or if you have started to notice some rust in the hot water when you flush the tank, then it may be time to replace the anode rod.
The rod is actually part of that big bolt head that you can see on the top of the tank, somewhere between the hot and cold water supplies. Replacing it is a pretty straightforward operation that can be done without any special tools, and it will really prolong the life of your tank.
Shut the power to the water heater, and shut the cold water supply valve. Attach a hose to the drain valve on the bottom of the tank, route the hose to a safe location, then open the valve and partially drain down the tank. If you have not flushed the tank in a while, this is a good time to take care of that chore as well.
With a pipe wrench or a socket wrench, loosen the rod. This may require a fair amount of force to initially break the threads loose, or you may need an application of thread penetrating oil. Lift the rod from the tank, and take it to a plumbing supply retailer to obtain a matching replacement. Insert the new rod into the tank, tighten it down, refill the tank, and reactivate the power.
As far as the replacement rod is concerned, there are actually a couple of different types available. The standard solid aluminum or magnesium rod will work for most situations, but if your water heater is located in a closet or other confined area, there are sectional rods that may be easier to install without having to move the heater itself.
If you are having an odor problem that could be associated with bacteria, there are rods made from other components that may work better in combating the smell. You should have the water tested first to help you determine what bacteria may be present, and then talk with your dealer about the best replacement rod to use.
This is just one of the useful water heater maintenance tips contained in my new Improving Your Home Report on water heaters. Check out more by visiting my profile on Inman News.
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