Replacing Sacrificial Anode Hot Water Heater

Bucket or hose to remove a couple gallons of water.

Replacing sacrificial anode hot water heater.

After about a minute turn off the hot water faucet then check for leaks around the new anode rod. A high quality 6 point 1 1 16 impact socket. That s why it s important to replace or at least check your anode rod every three years. 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.

These will usually need to be replaced at the same time as regular anode rods. This part literally sacrifices itself to keep the tank in optimal condition. Without it the water tank would start corroding from the inside out which would eventually result in a severe leak at the bottom. 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. If space above your water heater is tight a flexible replacement anode rod makes the installation easier. The rod may be under the water heater s sheet metal top or connected to the hot water outlet nipple. Most water heater manufacturers will recommend inspecting the condition of the sacrificial anode every one 1 to three 3 years and replacing it when consumed more than 50 1.

One of the most important parts of a water heater is the sacrificial anode rod and how to replace the anode is easy to do. That s why it s also referred to as a sacrificial anode. What a anode does is it sits inside the unit and attracts the bad particles that s in the water that could otherwise attack and corrode the tank shorting the life of the heater system. Turn the cold water supply to the heater back on and let the tank fill.

Possibly a helper or two replacement sacrificial anode rod. Some water heaters may have what is called a hot water outlet anode installed in the outlet side. Turn off water and fuel supply gas or. This is especially true if you have hard water or use a water softener.

Since these will be connected to the outgoing plumbing the removal and installation is slightly different. Hot water outlet anodes. 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.