How Do You Replace Your Anode Rod?

How to Replace Your Anode Rod

Water heater anode rod replacement is not as hard as it sounds. In fact, you can do it yourself. The step-by-step guide below is the general way to replace an anode rod, but some steps may differ depending on your model. If so, please refer to your owner’s manual or visit the manufacturer’s website for specific instructions.

What is an Anode Rod? Also known as a sacrificial rod, the anode rod is made from a steel wire that is covered with magnesium, aluminum or aluminum/zinc alloys. There are two types of anode nodes — the nipple type and the plug type. The nipple type rod is located on the hot water outlet while the plug type can be found on top of the tank. The plug type anode rod will have a separate opening and depending on the heater model, it may be concealed under a plastic cap. The role of the anode rod is to protect the steel tank from rusting. Steel is a more noble metal (more resistant to oxidation and corrosion) compared to magnesium, aluminum, and

Signs that the Anode Rod needs changing: • Rust-colored water is drawn from hot water faucets only. • Pinging sounds coming from inside the tank, this may indicate a broken rod rattling around. • Faucet aerators clog frequently. • Foul smelling water or a metallic taste in the water. • Foam floating in the water. Aluminum rods are susceptible to this since aluminum produces a foamy waste by-product following corrosion. • If you use water softeners, you will need to replace your sacrificial rod more often.

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Steps to Replacing Your Anode Rod

Step 1 Start by turning off the power supply. If you are using an electric heater, you will need to turn off the circuit breaker. If you leave it on, air may come into contact with the heater’s heating element and burn it out. With a gas heater, look for the vacation setting and turn the gas control valve to it. You can also turn the control valve to the lowest setting on the heater. Turning it off completely means you will have to light the pilot.

Step 2 Next, look for the anode rod. If you have the owner’s manual handy, you can find it from there, or visit the manufacturer’s website for specific instructions. On most models, it is located on top of the heater or on the side and may look like a hexagonal plug nut head. It may also be concealed under a plastic cap.

Step 3 Close the cold water supply, or the main inlet supply. Then, open the hot water faucet closest to you. This helps release pressure from the tank by allowing air inside, breaking the vacuum so you and do the next step.

Step 4 Connect the garden hose to the drain outlet at the bottom of the heater and extend the hose to a plumbing drain or outside your house. For the water to drain out of the heater, the hose must be lower than the level of water inside the heater. The water that comes out of the heater is very hot and may exceed 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that no one is in contact with the hosepipe or exposed to the water as it is being drained. Heaters with anode rods located at the top should be drained until the level of water is beneath the rod. Those with anode rods on the side will require draining until the water level is lower than the anode rod port. Once you are done draining to the proper level, shut the drain valve and remove the hose.

Step 5 If the anode rod is concealed by a plastic cap, use a flat blade screwdriver to remove the cap and expose the anode head. Now use a wrench to carefully remove the anode.

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Anode rods that have been kept in the heater for several years may be harder to remove. Have someone hold the heater in place as you try to extract it. This will keep you from damaging any pipe connections which will cause leaks.

Use a breaker bar to provide the leverage needed to break the seal. If you are having trouble removing the anode, even with the breaker bar, enlist the help of a professional plumber. Avoid banging on the anode as you may end up damaging the lining of the heater. Avoid using chemicals to loosen the threads on a snugly fit anode. These chemicals can get into the water heater and contaminate the water.

Step 6 With the anode rod loose, lift it out of the heater. Be careful as it may be hot. An anode rod that shows signs of wear has been doing its job. Depending on the location of the heater, you may not have enough space to pull out the anode. In this case, you can bend it to remove it. In rare cases, you may need to cut it.

Step 7 Prepare the threads of the replacement anode with Teflon tape and be sure to wrap five or six turns. Insert the new anode and use the wrench to tighten it. Depending on your tank’s location, you may need to use a flexible anode bar.

Step 8 Open the cold water supply and refill the tank. When water starts coming out of the hot water faucet we opened in step 3, your water tank is full. The faucet will most likely spit out air with the water initially. Allow the water to run until all the air has been expelled. You will know your tank is free of air if the water is flowing freely, without any spitting.

Step 9 Inspect the heater’s connections and around the new anode rod for leaks. If there are none, it is time to turn on the power for an electric heater or set the control valve back to its original setting on a gas heater. Congratulations, you have successfully replaced your anode rod.

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This Document and other helpful documents are available at the following the like: http://www.bmrmetro.org/bmrmd/faq.htm

Disclaimer:

The foregoing information is provided by the BMR Metropolitan District as a service to our customers and is based upon information believed to be reliable and generally applicable. Each customer’s circumstances; however, may be different and accordingly, it is suggested that each customer contact their hot water heater manufacturer or contact a qualified plumber for the purpose of obtaining specific advice as to the anode rod replacement for their hot water heater.

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