What's the best anode rod?

Aluminum anode rods are best for places with hard water. The aluminum rod will withstand harder water better than a magnesium or zinc rod. Zinc anode rods are designed to eliminate or reduce the sulphur or rotten egg smell present. A Zinc anode rod made from a combination of aluminum and zinc.

Regarding this, which is better aluminum or magnesium anode rod?

For harder water an aluminum anode rod is the best choice for your heater and if you live in an area with soft water then a magnesium anode rod is your best choice. Aluminum anodes tend to be cheaper than magnesium anode rods. A magnesium rod will generally last less than an aluminum rod.

Also Know, how long should an anode rod last? five years

Similarly one may ask, what size anode rod do I need?

If hidden an easy solution would be to remove the nipple on the hot water side with a pipe wrench and install a nipple outlet anode rod. Most gas or electric water heaters require a standard rod length of 44”. On some tall electric or solar storage tanks a rod 51” in length would be required.

How often should I change anode rod?

In most cases, you will need to change your water heater anode rod approximately once every 6 years so long as it operates under normal working conditions. However, depending on the composition of your water, you may need to change the anode rod more frequently.

36 Related Question Answers Found

Can you cut down an anode rod?

You can cut the anode rod to the length you need. The best way to cut the anode rod is with a hacksaw. Use a file to smooth the cut and install the rod.

How long do magnesium anodes last?

So if you used a magnesium anode in place of the “100 day” zinc anode it would only last 30 days. The aluminum anode would last between 130 and 150 days.

How much does an anode rod cost?

Anode Rod - $20-$50

Plumbers suggest getting a new anode rod every five years. The rod itself is only $20-$50 and, with proper instructions and precautions, you can perform this maintenance on your own. The anode rod keeps the inside of your tank from corroding. It does so by drawing the corrosion to itself.

What does a magnesium anode rod do?

The anode rod is a piece designed to slow down corrosion and rusting in water heaters. The rod is made of magnesium, which wears out faster than steel. When water corrodes the magnesium, the anode rod releases electrons into the tank which form a protective barrier around the steel of the tank.

What is the rod called in a hot water heater?

Water rusts metal and your water heater would be a crumbling mess without a small rod inserted into the top of the tank. 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.

What size socket do you need to remove an anode rod?

3 Locate the anode rod on the water heater; if necessary, unscrew and lift off the cover from the top of the heater. 4 Use a ratchet wrench and 1 1/16-inch deep socket to unscrew the anode rod from the heater.

Why does my water heater smell like rotten eggs?

The most common cause of smelly water is anaerobic bacteria that exist in some water and react with sulfur and the magnesium and aluminum sacrificial anodes that come with most water heaters to produce hydrogen sulfide gas, making the classic rotten egg odor. By the way, don't blame the water heater manufacturers.

Should I replace the anode rod in my water heater?

When the rod itself becomes so corroded that it can no longer do its job, the tank soon rusts out, leaks and needs replacement. However, if you replace your water heater anode rod before it fails, about every five years, you can double the life of your water heater.

Is it too late to replace anode rod?

Anode rods are made of either magnesium or an aluminum-zinc alloy. The downside is that if you wait too long to replace the anode rod, it may be too late. If more than five years has passed, it may be too late to save the water heater.

Can you remove the anode rod from water heater?

If the water heater anode is removed, it will greatly reduce the life of the heater. You can replace everything on a water heater except the tank.

How do anode rods work?

An anode rod is a long metal rod, usually formed of magnesium or aluminum around a steel wire core. This is accomplished through a process called electrolysis, by which the metals in the anode rod attract ions that normally cause rust in iron and steel. These ions are what cause the anode rod to degrade over time.

Are anode rods universal?

They're impossible to find. Now that I've found you sell them, are anode rods universal? A: An anode rod is aluminum or magnesium cast around a steel core wire and hex head. For residential-type heaters, all anodes are the same diameter -- 3/4-inch.

What are the signs of a hot water heater going bad?

10 Signs You Need A New Water Heater

- Age of the Water Heater. You have no idea the last time your water heater was replaced.
- Rusty Colored Water.
- No Hot Water.
- Sediment at the bottom of your Water Heater.
- Strange Smells.
- Adjust thermostat.
- How often do You Use Your Water Heater.
- Odd Noises.

Do I need an anode in my water heater?

The Anode Rod: A Mysterious but Necessary Water Heater Component. It prevents rust in your water heater's tank, and to do so effectively it needs to be replaced every two to three years by professional Littleton, CO plumbers. Otherwise, your water heater can absolutely require premature replacement.

What does an anode do?

The role of the sacrificial anode rod

The rod is screwed into the top of your water heater and protects your water heater from rusting. When the tank is filled with water the anode rod sacrifices itself to protect the exposed steel of the water heater, through a method called electrolysis.

How much does it cost to replace a water heater anode rod?

How cost effective is anode replacement? If a tank lasts ten years and costs $800 to install, that's $80 per year. Most tanks come with one anode, which, in most waters will last four years before needing replacement. Say you do charge $100 to replace the rod.

Why do they put magnesium rods in a steel hot water heater?

Since the tank of the water heater is made of steel, the magnesium rod (usually called an anode, with the tank proper being called the cathode) will sacrificially dissolve into the water, preventing / reversing oxidation of the iron in the tank.