Water Heater anode rod questions
#2810936
08/20/20 05:46 AM
08/20/20 05:46 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,637 Port Huron, Michigan
MI_Custumz
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I was planning on draining my water tank because it's starting to make noise. I have heard of problems with the drain valve not working correctly after opening it up. To fix this, I added a hose extension with a spring on it, ball valve, and fitting to accept a hose end. I did test the adapter on the garden hose set up outside and no leaks. Then I read it may need an anode rod replaced. So that poses a few questions.
Should I drain just a bit of water for the flush and remove the anode rod then or flush it first?
I see some are solid and some are collapsible. I have about 40" from top of the tank to the ceiling and some are 42" long. Should I just go collapsible or try to angle it in and hope it goes?
What brand/material rod should I get (magnesium, zinc, aluminum)?
Read to seal the threads with the dope style and not tape, does it matter?
If my tank is roughly 52" tall, does the rod need to go all the way down?
I have a cheap Harbor Freight impact and was thinking of using that to break it loose and finishing removal and installation by hand. Not sure how easy it will be to remove since the tank was installed in 2014.
I have never drained a tank before or changed an anode rod, but they seem simple. I just like to have a good idea on things I may encounter so I don't jack it up and have to call someone to fix it. If I think I may jack something up, I'd rather just pay someone to do it.
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Re: Water Heater anode rod questions
[Re: Andrewh]
#2811410
08/21/20 05:32 AM
08/21/20 05:32 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,637 Port Huron, Michigan
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I didn't plan on releasing the valve, just cracking a hot water on the faucet in the laundry room. I will have to give it a try soon, got a few other things that take priority at the moment. Researching so I don't get in over my head. Seems simple enough as long as everything goes smooth. When flushing it and replacing the rod, should I flush the tank first and replace the rod on the last fill (may fill the tank once or twice to get all the gunk out), replace the rod first, or what? I read if there is water in the tank, it helps counter the use of a impact or breaker bar when getting the rod off. Don't want to overfill the tank with the rod out and have a mess.
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Re: Water Heater anode rod questions
[Re: MI_Custumz]
#2813451
08/26/20 09:27 AM
08/26/20 09:27 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,330 Addison Twp, Mi.
RobG
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Go to Corroprotect.com and order one. This is a titanium anode rod is specially designed to eliminate odor problems, specifically the rotten egg smell of sulfur, found in hot water with a high magnesium content.
I have two of them in my tanks and they are well worth the cost.
I am not rich...but I get off my ass everyday to make sure I am not broke!
Can we get the Mexican cartels to help us with our supply chain issues? They don't seem to have any trouble getting stuff from one place to another.
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Re: Water Heater anode rod questions
[Re: 340Cuda]
#2813549
08/26/20 01:08 PM
08/26/20 01:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,330 Addison Twp, Mi.
RobG
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I drain and flush my tanks every year due to hard well water. I was changing the anode every 4 years. Mine were getting eaten up really bad. Last month, one anode was no longer connect to the rod end cap. These titanium units are remarkable. Water quality has improved greatly.
I am not rich...but I get off my ass everyday to make sure I am not broke!
Can we get the Mexican cartels to help us with our supply chain issues? They don't seem to have any trouble getting stuff from one place to another.
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Re: Water Heater anode rod questions
[Re: Andrewh]
#2813825
08/27/20 05:57 AM
08/27/20 05:57 AM
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Posts: 5,637 Port Huron, Michigan
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the flush though is more for efficiency which may in turn shorten the life of the tank or heating elements. I would be interested to see how much build up was the reason those other heaters died. couldn't heat the water anymore vs actually not "working".
I don't understand how draining/flushing a tank can shorten the life. Figure it's getting the sediment out and that should be good.
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Re: Water Heater anode rod questions
[Re: RobG]
#2813826
08/27/20 06:16 AM
08/27/20 06:16 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,637 Port Huron, Michigan
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Go to Corroprotect.com and order one. This is a titanium anode rod is specially designed to eliminate odor problems, specifically the rotten egg smell of sulfur, found in hot water with a high magnesium content.
I have two of them in my tanks and they are well worth the cost. I put that on my amazon list for future reference. We don't have hard/smelly water so I just got one from Home Depot. I noticed the one I bought has the thread right under the hex head. The one you have shows the threads lower down. Does it just stick up above the water tank? Their instructions show it flush pretty much and a photo on amazon shows it sticking up some.
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Re: Water Heater anode rod questions
[Re: MI_Custumz]
#2813837
08/27/20 07:39 AM
08/27/20 07:39 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,330 Addison Twp, Mi.
RobG
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Addison Twp, Mi.
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Yes, it sticks up about 3 inchs. It will clear all insulation and case structure.
Last edited by RobG; 08/27/20 02:52 PM. Reason: correction and photo
I am not rich...but I get off my ass everyday to make sure I am not broke!
Can we get the Mexican cartels to help us with our supply chain issues? They don't seem to have any trouble getting stuff from one place to another.
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Re: Water Heater anode rod questions
[Re: RobG]
#2813882
08/27/20 10:01 AM
08/27/20 10:01 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,810 Sobieski Wi
bee1971
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I drain and flush my tanks every year due to hard well water. I was changing the anode every 4 years. Mine were getting eaten up really bad. Last month, one anode was no longer connect to the rod end cap. These titanium units are remarkable. Water quality has improved greatly. We have well water also I havent touched my Rheem water heater since 1999 when the house was built Installed myself a water softener around 2005 Well actually i did , i raised the temp output on the water heater I dont even know what an anode was until i read this thread There i just screwed myself
1971 Dodge Charger Superbee 2011 Ram Sport 1500 Quad Cab Deep Water Blue Loaded Siberian Huskies
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Re: Water Heater anode rod questions
[Re: bee1971]
#2813965
08/27/20 02:54 PM
08/27/20 02:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,330 Addison Twp, Mi.
RobG
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,330
Addison Twp, Mi.
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I drain and flush my tanks every year due to hard well water. I was changing the anode every 4 years. Mine were getting eaten up really bad. Last month, one anode was no longer connect to the rod end cap. These titanium units are remarkable. Water quality has improved greatly. We have well water also I havent touched my Rheem water heater since 1999 when the house was built Installed myself a water softener around 2005 Well actually i did , i raised the temp output on the water heater I dont even know what an anode was until i read this thread There i just screwed myself Flush it out and watch all the sediment pour out. The water heater will work more efficiently.
I am not rich...but I get off my ass everyday to make sure I am not broke!
Can we get the Mexican cartels to help us with our supply chain issues? They don't seem to have any trouble getting stuff from one place to another.
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Re: Water Heater anode rod questions
[Re: MI_Custumz]
#2813968
08/27/20 03:04 PM
08/27/20 03:04 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,670
Andrewh
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the flush though is more for efficiency which may in turn shorten the life of the tank or heating elements. I would be interested to see how much build up was the reason those other heaters died. couldn't heat the water anymore vs actually not "working".
I don't understand how draining/flushing a tank can shorten the life. Figure it's getting the sediment out and that should be good. not what I meant, so I probably wrote that wrong. I meant that not flushing shortens the life due to causing issues with the heating elements. flushing would clear that debris. they also say it can overheat areas on the tank causing the coating to crack and making it rust out faster. but since he said none of the leaked, it would be safe to bet that wasn't an issue for him. but maybe the efficency was affected.
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