Most water heater manufacturers will recommend inspecting the condition of the sacrificial anode every one (1) to three (3) years and replacing it when it has been consumed more than 50%. This is especially true if you have hard water or use a water softener.
Your sacrificial anode may last longer, but if it's been more than 5 years since a human being even set eyes on it then you're long overdue for an inspection. That's because, in some cases in particularly mineral-rich water, the anode rod will last less than a single year – although 3-5 years of life is about average.
Determining When To Replace The Anode Rod
The frequency of anode rod replacement depends on several factors, such as water quality, usage patterns, and the type of anode rod installed. In most cases, we recommend inspecting and potentially replacing the anode rod every 3 to 5 years.
Visual inspection. Check your water heater and water anode rod for corrosion and rust at least once per year. If the rod appears heavily worn and degraded to its core wire, it's ready for replacement.
The rods can deteriorate in as little as 3 to 5 years, depending on many factors, including the hardness or softness of the water. Without a working anode rod, the water heater tank will be vulnerable to rust, corrosion, and other damaging effects of chemicals and minerals in the water supply.
They protect the tank by attracting corrosive elements, ensuring the integrity of the water heater's interior. Even in areas with soft water, the presence of oxygen and other natural elements can lead to corrosion, making the anode rod indispensable.
Most anode rods are sacrificial, meaning they are designed to corrode (instead of your water heater lining). Because they are meant to break down, they wear out every few years and need to be replaced.
An important part of your water heater, it moves cold replacement water to the bottom of the tank when you use hot water; otherwise, both will mix and reduce the water temperature. Anode Rod Replacement: While an anode rod costs between $20 and $50, a plumber can replace it for $50 to $150.
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The anode rod in your Rheem water heater is located on top of your tank.
Most homeowners should flush their water heaters every 6 months or so, but if you have extremely hard water, you may want to do it more often. Flushing your hot water heater could be necessary as often as every few months depending on the mineral content of your local water supply.
If you suspect your water heater is more than 10 years old—it is time to consider replacing it before you're left with an emergency decision. To determine the age of your water heater, you'll need to identify the Brand Name and Serial Number for your unit.
Magnesium rods are better for areas with soft water, while aluminum rods are ideal for hard water areas. The best water heater anode rod will depend on the specific conditions of your home's water supply.
The tried and true way to remove the “rotten eggs smell” from your hot water tank is to replace your water heater's anode rod with a zinc-aluminum rod. While the aluminum will fight against corrosion, the zinc will combat the reaction that creates the rotten egg smell.
By replacing your anode rod every 3-5 years, your water heater can last well over 20 years without any risk of leaks and resulting water damage.
Most often, there will be a flexible connection from the hard plumbing to the anode's nipple. In this case, simply loosen the nut of the flex line attached to the nipple. You will then be able to remove this type of anode with a pipe wrench and replace the anode as described in the above instructions.
All water heaters have a minimum of one anode rod. Some water heaters have longer warranties because they have two anode rods. If there are two anode rods, that is because one is attached to a hex head at the top and the other is a combination anode attached to the hot water outlet.
You'll spend between $20 and $50 on the rod. If you choose to hire a water heater pro to get the job done, an anode rod replacement will cost you between $200 and $300. If you're not sure whether to handle this repair yourself, first examine your water heater.
In other words, it “sacrifices” itself to extend the life of the water heater. Most water heater manufacturers will recommend inspecting the condition of the sacrificial anode every one (1) to three (3) years and replacing it when it has been consumed more than 50%.
For example, the average 40-gallon water heater installation cost runs between $1,000 and $2,500, while its 80-gallon counterpart runs between $2,650 and $3,910.
Step 3: Drain Water From the Tank
To make the old anode rod easier to remove, empty some of the water in the tank.
However, most professionals recommend inspecting the anode rod every one to three years and replacing it every four to five years. If your water supply has a high mineral content or if your water heater usage is heavy, these timelines may need to be shortened.
Unfortunately, rusty or brown-colored water can be one of the most common water heater anode rod problems.
Collection of Calcium Carbonate
It is not abnormal for calcium carbonate to collect on the exterior of an anode rod in a water heater. These white minerals keep the rod from corroding. While this may be beneficial under any other circumstance, the whole point of the anode rod is to corrode to keep the water tank safe.