Hot Water Heater Anode Rod Replacement
 

I have a question for homeowner "Do It Yourselfers". Has anyone replace the anode rod in an electric hot water heater in the Villages. For those who don't know what an anode rod is, it is a replaceable sacrificial part in hot water heaters which is typically made out of magnesium. There is stuff in water that attacks the heating coils and pre-maturely rusts out and can coat the coils with mineral deposits, shortening their useful lives. The anode rode attracts the nasty stuff that ruins the heating coils and protects them from corrosion. Once the anode rode has been attacked, and its useful life is gone, the heating coils are next if the rod is not replaced in time.

I have replaced the anode rode 4 times in our indirect Buderus hot water heater up north, where we have well water with lots of minerals that would otherwise trash the heating coils. I have never replace the anode rod in our direct eclectic hot water heater in the Villages. Since the electric heater is relatively cheap, I am less concerned about protecting it, but would still like to know what others are doing. Also, I am not sure if the municipal water provided by the Villages is as corrosive as our well water up north. I would appreciate any feedback from those that have replaced their anode rods. How long between replacement and how much life was left in the replaced rod? Trying to figure out if this is another thing I need to add to my "to do list"?

The Rheem electric water heater manual says the following:

"The anode rod should be removed from the
water heater’s tank annually for inspection
and replaced when more than 6″ of core
wire is exposed at either end of the rod."

If you can do this yourself, it is probably a good idea. If you need to hire someone every year to do it, it is probably not cost effective. What are others doing? I think that most people don't have a clue as to what an anode rod is and they do nothing. I have never done any maintenance of any type on a water heater. I just replace the water heater when it fails. Well water is much more prone to causing your water heater to rust out than the typical treated water we have in The Villages. If you do no maintenance, your water heater will probably last about 15 years, and maybe longer.

replaced my heating rods last year . went to YouTube got info ordered rods from amazon. very easy to do.i flush my tank every year regular maintance. simple job. I also ordered wrench from amazon for rods much easier with it.neighbor replaced tank last month for plumber to come out $800 like for like . my expansion tank went out last month pin hole leak replaced myself cost $40 bought at home depot was 9 years old..neighbors tank same 9 years old. tank warrantee's 10 years not going to fight for 1 year less.

My 3 month electric hot water heater came with a magnesium rod. The smell was terrible. Replaced it with aluminum/zinc and the rotten smell gone. My old heater was 31 years old and never touched it once. They just don't make them like they used to....

Haven't replaced one in The Villages, but have replaced a couple over the years "up north". Hardest part is breaking the rod free from the corrosion. Once free, the new rod goes in without a problem. Agree with previous poster, Youtube videos answer any questions.

Project complete. As can be seen in the photo, it was time, the old anode rod was on it's last leg. Whole project took about 15 minutes once the new rod came in the mail. Easy to get the old rod out with a 1 1/16 socket on a breaker bar.

Time to go golfing : )

Thanks. I understand why you replaced it. But, it doesn't seem to meet the criteria for replacement, based on the Rheem manual cited in Post No. 2, "6 inches of exposed core wire on either end". How old is the water heater?

Boy does the thumb hurt when hit by a hammer!

My two cents worth. I've not done it. I understand the risk is that the new one will leak.
I would think one you have decided to do this and you have it out it makes sense to put the new one in.

Some post says the aluminum rod tastes better. From what I've read you are not supposed to drink hot water from your hot water heater. In any case as a sacrificial anode magnesium is a more active metal and so would de-solve faster giving you more protection. I would expect the tanks come with aluminum as it is cheaper

As far as an 1 1/4 socket and a breaker bar. Yes, I have that. Not sure all villagers do.
How much force to use before you either get the rod out or break it off needing a new water heater? Draining the hot water heater to clean it. I've also read about people not being able to get the valve to close without leaking. Somethings are better just left alone. Our hot water heater, we are here full time, it is on it's 9th year.

Wow, 31 years old, that is impressive. Average is closer to 14 years.

Water heater is 9 years old, we have owned the house for 6 years. As far as I know, the rod was never replaced. The rod might have had a little life left in it, but once you go through the work to pull the old rod, might as well put in a new one. Hopefully that will buy the heater another 9 years?

Hmmm, I didn't know that showed up in the picture until you mentioned it. Not hit with a hammer, I think I did that a couple of weeks ago installing a new dishwasher? Doesn't hurt so who cares how it looks : )

Agree, don't drink water out of the hot water faucet. Magnesium is better for an anode rod, that's what I used. Breaking the old rod loose was easy peasy, I leaned all my weight on top of the tank to hold it in place, and with one quick crank of the breaker bar it was on its way. Used both teflon tape and plumbers silicon on the threads of the new rod and no leaks. My hot water heater tank does not have a valve to let out water, it has a fitting with a 3/4 inch brass cap. Made sure the washer inside the cap was intact and re-attached and no leaks. Very easy job.

My plumber said I will be lucky to get 6 years out of the new one....