[ForBruce]

I drained the water heater to flush as i normally do every few months ....

What i got was a shock as to the condition of the Anode rod after only 4 months....

When the rod gets full calcified ( limed up ) it will not longer conduct an electrical current that is used to prevent the tank from rusting out.

I wire brushed the rod clean ( still very pitted ) but i will replace as soon as i am able to due to the NARROWING just behind the pipe fitting...
The photo doesn't show the narrowing very well.

Don't want it breaking off and dropping into the tank. I have seen some rod actually get thinner than a pencil.

I believe the rod is in this condition because we have been saving propane by using the electrical heating element....