[Shop-talk] water heater anode

[old dirtbeard]

Hey shop talkers,

I learned some stuff today that I thought I would pass along (probably most of
you already are doing this, but in this recession, I thought it might be a way
to save some money).

I just pulled the magnesium anode rod from my seven-year-old residential 75
gallon water heater -- it was totally gone. I just ordered one for $44.50
from:

http://shop.waterconnection.com/category.sc?categoryId=2

The owner answers the phone, a real nice guy who knows his stuff.

I started looking at replacement water heater prices (around $800 for the tank
and was told it could be about $1,500 installed). I bought the house three
years ago and should have replaced the rod then.

I have learned the following:
  a.. check/replace the anode rod(s) at five years
  b.. check every two years afterward
  c.. hard water and water softeners eat the rods quicker
  d.. if you keep a good rod in a water heater, the heater can last 20-40
years
  e.. put a 1/2" ball valve for the sediment drain to flush the sediment (mine
had this) and flush it regularly
  f.. they make a curved inlet tube which helps to flush the sediment better
  g.. but the biggest impact is replacing the sacrificial anode before it is
consumed
All of the rods have a 1 1/16" hex head retaining bolt on the top of the tank,
usually near the center, and they are pretty tight (I used my IR Titanium to
take it out and got a face full of water :) ).

My tank is in an outdoor enclosure with limited room above the tank, most of
the rods are 44" long, so they make flexible replacement rods you can bend and
feed into the tank. The solid rods are only $28 for the most common.

They make magnesium, aluminum and zinc. Most tanks come with magnesium rods
and it probably is the best replacement rod unless you have sulfur dioxide
issues (smelly hot water). There is some concern about aluminum in your tap
water and it also tends to create more sediment.

The difference between a 6 year water heater warranty and a 12 year warranty
often is nothing more than a second anode rod and a much higher purchase
price.

I wish I had done this three years ago...

best,

doug