Anode replacement

MarkB_MI

Well-known Member
Location
Motown USA
Our 12-year water heater is now about 13 years old, so I figured it was due for a new anode rod. As I unscrewed the plug at the top of the rod, I heard a "clunk" as whatever was left of the anode dropped to the bottom of the tank. All I got out was just the plug. I guess it was used up.

I'll be happy to get a few more years out of the water heater. It's no fun to replace; I have to drain and move the heating boiler to get the water heater out and in.
 
Our water has such a high sulfate content that we do not use anodes or else the water smell is so bad you would not want to use it to bathe, water heater tank averages about 5 years. I recently changed to a propane on demand unit so will see how that works out.
 
It sounds like you waited a little too long! I would think you could just put in a new anode rod and leave the broken one in there. Otherwise how good a fisherman are you? With time and determination you could probably fish it out. Do you have a drip pan under the heater? I think that's a good idea unless it's in the basement next to a drain.
 
>It sounds like you waited a little too long! I would think you could just put in a new anode rod and leave the broken one in there. Otherwise how good a fisherman are you? With time and determination you could probably fish it out. Do you have a drip pan under the heater? I think that's a good idea unless it's in the basement next to a drain.

I didn't even try to fish out the old anode. There's a nearby floor drain.
 
Mark I just cut my anode rod off. It was making the water stink. My heater is 14 years old and still looks like new inside so IF it dies tomorrow I am ahead of the game. Mine is easy to replace. It is in the basement right over a floor drain. I will have to slide the water softener tank over maybe to have a little more room but that is it.
 
> Mark I just cut my anode rod off. It was making the water stink.

Shortly after I installed this heater, I replaced the original magnesium anode with an aluminum one, which alleviated the rotten egg smell. It still would stink a bit if we were gone a week; it hasn't been stinking much lately, which tipped me off that the anode must be used up.
 
What kind of wrench did you use to get the old anode out? The anode on my water heater sits down in the insulation too far to get anything but a socket on it, and there's a very thin head on the anode plug.
 
You got yours out? First and last time I tried that it wouldn't budge. Besides, by the time the electrode melted the tank is crudded up, the housing is rusted and it's time for the pilot light sensor to be replaced and happens every 6 years regardless of how much I pay for the things.
 
Mark,
At my boy's old home his water heater was not even 9 years old. Anode was completely gone, and every place water could leak of water heater was leaking. Totally rusted out. This is Plainfield, In water. He then found out his neighbors are lucky to get 9 years our to their water heaters before they replace them. Usually the water heaters in his neighborhood are replaced while under warranty. He replaced his water heater and recently moved, but still on Plainfield water.

I have never seen a natural gas water heater with a plastic chimney and a blower on chimney, but his new house has one. Bet that won't be cheap to replace. I had better mention to him to check the anode in a few years.
geo
 
High alkalai content here. Put a pan of water on top of the wood stove and if you don't daily flush it with fresh water and keep it from drying out, you wind up with a solid crust in the bottom.
 
> What kind of wrench did you use to get the old anode out?

Just a regular 12 point 1/2 inch drive socket. 1-1/16". I didn't have any trouble getting it out with a 1/2 inch breaker bar. YMMV.
 
> I have never seen a natural gas water heater with a plastic chimney and a blower on chimney, but his new house has one. Bet that won't be cheap to replace. I had better mention to him to check the anode in a few years.

Those power vent water heaters often don't last long enough to rot out the anode. If condensate can drip back inside the heater, it will rust out the flue in the tank. He should make sure the moisture trap is installed between the heater and chimney, and that it's hooked up to a drain.
 
I've heard others cutting off anodes because anode makes their water stink. Why? What's in your water? Fyi, I've never replaced anode or cut one off because water stinks. On well.

Just wondering why?
 
Good reason for you to pull the anode on a brand new water heater and treat it with grease or nev-r-seize, to get it our easier in a few years.

We have a 20 year old Whirlpool electric and a 13 year old forced-vent natural gas water heaters here, no leaks from either yet, on good, pure Lake Michigan's finest. (knocking on head as he types)
 
LAA,
So are you saying sulfur in water and an anode in water heater produces the same smell as drinking beer and eating deviled eggs? Glad my water doesn't smell like that. I would go thirsty.
geo
 

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