Hot Water Heater Anode Rod Replacement

6 lift out and discard the old anode.

Hot water heater anode rod replacement. 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. This is a common problem with older water heaters and in certain parts of the country. Anode rods are the most important line of defense in preventing corrosion and leaks in your water heater. You can order an anode rod replacement for your water heater by directly from the hot water heater manufacturer.

If necessary unscrew and lift off the cover from the top of the heater. The rod may be under the water heater s sheet metal top or connected to the hot water outlet nipple. As the anode works the life of the water heater is increased. Removed the anode rod from my hot water tank and it was totally dissolved after 3 5 years of service using city water and water softener.

Contain a built in heat trap nipple with a fluoroplastic ball that sinks inside the nipple into a seat as water flow stops. 5 if the anode rod won t budge slip a steel pipe onto ratchet wrench handle for extra leverage. I ll show you how to do it. Diameter x 44 375 in.

Determined the problem could be due to a worn out anode rod in my hot water heater. Water heaters use an anode rod to attract and remove sediments from the water being heated. This richmond magnesium anode is 0 75 in. Replaced the original aluminum anode rod with a magnesium anode rod at a cost of approximately 24.

An anode rod will corrode and deteriorate over time until it s no longer capable of functioning and has to be replaced. This old house plumbing and heating contractor richard trethewey shows a simple way to add years to your water heater by swapping out the sacrificial metal. So it s best to replace the rod before that happens. Find anode rod water heater parts at lowe s today.

4 use a ratchet wrench and 1 1 16 inch deep socket to unscrew the anode rod from the heater. A few newer plastic lined tanks have no anode rods to replace before you get started close the shutoff valve turn on the hot water at a faucet to relieve pressure and turn off the electricity or gas to the heater. The anode should be checked and replaced every couple of years.