Anode rod, teflon tape, and electrolysis

[BB_TX]

It is often stated on RV forums that you should not use teflon tape on the anode rod threads as it could interfere with the electrical contact. Being fairly knowledgeable in electric (retired EE) and limited knowledge of electrolysis, something just did not sound right. And my little engineering brain can't live like that. And finding nothing by googling, I went directly to the source. I e-mailed Suburban with my question, "Does the anode rod threads have to make electrical contact with the water heater threads for the anode rod electrolysis to work properly?"

I go a quick reply from an assistant service manager at Suburban as follows;

"The answer to No. The metal threads do not need to make contact with each other. Electrolysis is the chemical reaction that takes place inside the tank and has nothing to do with the threads. I've attached some Suburban water heater videos to this email that I believe you'll find very interesting."

And the video they attached, actually using the tape. So those who use teflon tape can rest easy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO3X...830fMCPJ3ptLTr

[mlh]

Thanks. There is way too much option and not enough fact many times.
Lynwood

[1retired06]

Been using Teflon tape for twenty years, never a problem.

[DQDick]

Another urban myth down the drain

[JABURKHOLDER]

Originally Posted by DQDick

Another urban myth down the drain

How about another "sub-urban" myth down the drain.

[MidMOTraveler]

Wow we now have facts!
The weight police have Lawyer and Insurance professional statements.
Anode rod pros with video.
Now if we could just get “only the facts” on black tank treatment!
We better be careful we’ll run out of things to discuss!

[mlh]

If you use Teflon tape the rough threads will most likely cut through the tape and make contact anyway. It’s only a few thousandth thick.
Lynwood

[BB_TX]

I have always used tape. And upon removing the rod there has never been more than strings of tape left where the threads cut, shredded, and compressed the tape into voids in the threads to seal them leaving most of the threads exposed for metal to metal contact.

[Mark N.]

Well there's one I have never heard. I've been taping for 30 years or so and wouldn't have paid attention to that wrong advice anyway. If one understands the reason we use anode rods, and I mean actually understand it, you would realize it doesn't need grounding.

[WaltBennett]

How in the world would you be able to get a good seal without either Teflon tape or plumber's goo? I've been using Teflon on anode rods for over 30 years. They obviously still work with the tape as every 3 - 5 years I've got to replace the things.

[Mark7]

Happy to hear! If I didn't use it, it would leak!

[The Bone]

I never gave it a thought weather it would work or not. LOL I did it because I know if water can get out it will.

[bigred715]

Have been using the tape for 18 yrs and plan on using it in the future. Would leak otherwise.

[Montana Man]

Teflon tape is a thread lubricator. It will reduce friction between threads allowing for two threaded fittings to screw further into each other.