2 partially drain the water heater.
Replacing water heater sacrificial anode.
Aluminum replacement rods are sold at home centers.
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.
Without it the water tank would start corroding from the inside out which would eventually result in a severe leak at the bottom.
Many people are unaware of just how much the water heater s anode rod does in order to protect the lining of your heater s tank.
A replacement anode rod a socket wrench a 1 and 1 16 inch socket a 24 inch cheater bar or pipe a flat blade screwdriver teflon tape a garden hose and a hacksaw.
Turn off water and fuel supply gas or.
This rod protects the tank from corrosion by corroding first before the tank.
If necessary unscrew and lift off the cover from the top of the heater.
A high quality 6 point 1 1 16 impact socket.
Protect your water heater from corrosion by learning how to replace the anode rod.
The length is the same as a flexible rob and install is the same.
That s why it s also referred to as a sacrificial anode.
Inside every water heater is a long metal rod called an anode rod made of various metals.
These anode rod replacement instructions presented here are generalized to work with a wide selection of brands and heater.
How to replace a sacrificial anode rod.
Standard sacrificial anode rods are the more common water heater anode rod out of the 2.
Removing the sacrificial anode rod.
This part literally sacrifices itself to keep the tank in optimal condition.
When the anode rod has rusted away the water heater s tank may begin to rust which will cause the water heater to fail and you ll end up paying hundreds for a brand new water heater.
You can order an anode rod replacement for your water heater by directly from the hot water heater manufacturer.
In most cases the hexagonal head of the rod is visible on the top of the water heater.
With this one tho we don t have to straighten the rod as we are lower and install it into the tank as there will be room overhead.
3 locate the anode rod on the water heater.
Rods are made from magnesium aluminum or aluminum zinc alloy.
4 use a ratchet wrench and 1 1 16 inch deep socket to unscrew the anode rod from the heater.
That s why it s important to replace or at least check your anode rod every three years.
Replacing your anode rod at regular intervals may increase the life of your water heater saving you money time and the inconvenience of having to replace your water heater one of the most important considerations in having a normal life span for your water heater is whether the anode rod is performing it s job to divert corrosive action away from the tank walls to the anode rod.
Possibly a helper or two replacement sacrificial anode rod.
