Anode Rod Advice

[jimandlaurie]

We vote for the Teflon tape... use it in all my plumbing, Montana or home headquarters.

[prndl]

So I went out and checked my anode......

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[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by prndl

So I went out and checked my anode......

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Don't rush. You have a lot of time ~~ maybe not.

[rohrmann]

Good preventive maintenance on the Suburban water heaters is annually remove and check the anode rod, and while it's out flush the crud out of the tank. I just automatically replace the rod each time because we full time and in the course of a year, we are getting water from all over the country with varying chemistry and never know how long the anode is going to last. Besides, the rod is cheap compared to a new water heater, even if you do the replacement instead of having it done.

[shovelhead86]

Keep in mind that the teflon tape as well as pipe dope is a lubricant and it is easy to over tighten the fitting. I do another 1/2 to 3/4 turn after it snugs up.

[WeBeFulltime]

Originally Posted by jjfleck

Aluminum rods are better than magnesium rods to use they tend to last longer and don't affect water taste as much.

You actually get your drinking/cooking water from the water heater?

[BucBuckeye]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

I agree with the threads cutting thru the teflon tape. But I replaced my original magnesium rod with an aluminum rod. After about 5 years it almost looked like the day I installed it, barely corroded. And I was getting the rotten egg odor. Didn't appear it was doing much. So I went back to magnesium. May try zinc on next one. Here is a good write up about anode rods including using magnesium, aluminum, or zinc.

https://www.aricoplumbing.com/waterheater-anode-rods

Thanks for this link! I just asked this question in another thread (I'll link mine to this one to complete the loop)!

What a great forum!

[waynemoore]

The rod is less than $20.00 so I just replace it every year.

[BucBuckeye]

Originally Posted by waynemoore

The rod is less than $20.00 so I just replace it every year.

Do you do this preventatively, or because you're using a magnesium anode rod that deteriorates that quickly (I promise it's a real question, because I know so little about this, but appear to be in the middle of figuring out a remedy for a similar problem)?

[waynemoore]

Originally Posted by BucBuckeye

Do you do this preventatively, or because you're using a magnesium anode rod that deteriorates that quickly (I promise it's a real question, because I know so little about this, but appear to be in the middle of figuring out a remedy for a similar problem)?

I do use magnesium and yes it is just preventive. I do take it out at about the six month mark and clean it up a bit. I may not need to do this but just what I do.
Also I just installed a water softener this may or may not make a difference??

[rohrmann]

I installed a water softener about four years ago, primarily to keep from having issues with mineral deposits in the plumbing. I also replace the anode in the water heater annually as normal maintenance, but don't notice much difference since the addition of the softener. We do experience a wide range of water hardness around the country as we fulltime.

[paulinbaja]

Great and complete response. Good job.

[AZ Traveler]

Really easy to install a new rod. About 30 minutes to flush out the tank and put the new rod in once the tank is cool. Cheap insurance.