Can I Clean A Magnesium Water Heater Rod?

Extend the Life of Your H2o Heater by Replacing the Anode Rod

Double the life of your h2o heater with this simple repair

water heater anode rod Family Handyman

Replacing the anode rod in a water heater earlier information technology fails can slow downwards corrosion inside the tank and significantly extend the life of the water heater, sometimes even doubling it.

You might as well like: TBD

Remove the erstwhile anode rod

Photograph ane: Remove the old water heater anode rod

Loosen the hex caput with a short burst from your impact wrench. Unscrew it by hand once information technology's loose.

Photo 2: Install the new h2o heater anode rod

Coat the threads with pipe dope and slide the new rod into the tank. Tighten with a socket and ratchet past hand.

Almost water heater tanks are steel with a sparse drinking glass lining to protect the metallic from corrosion. Since the lining eventually cracks, tanks have a 2d line of defense confronting rust: a long metallic "anode rod" that attracts corrosive elements in the water. When the rod itself becomes so corroded that information technology tin can no longer do its chore, the tank soon rusts out, leaks and needs replacement. However, if you replace your water heater anode rod before information technology fails, about every five years, you can double the life of your water heater.

Rods are made from magnesium, aluminum or aluminum/zinc alloy. Aluminum replacement rods are sold at home centers. In most cases, the hexagonal head of the rod is visible on the peak of the h2o heater. If yous don't meet the hex caput, check your possessor's manual. The rod may exist under the water heater'due south sheet metal acme or connected to the hot water outlet nipple. (A few newer plastic-lined tanks have no anode rods to replace.)

Before yous get started, close the shutoff valve, turn on the hot water at a faucet to relieve pressure, and turn off the electricity or gas to the heater. Open the bleed valve near the lesser of the tank and drain out several gallons of h2o. Caution: The water is hot!

Drain some water from the tank to check for rust. Information technology's time for a new water heater if y'all run into rusty flakes (not just orange water, which can come from corroded pipes or well h2o). If the water is clean, remove the rod to bank check its condition.

To loosen the rod, you lot'll need an air compressor, a ane/2-in.-drive impact wrench and a ane-1/16-in. socket. If you lot don't accept an impact wrench, go buy a cheap 1 for most $thirty. Even with a breaker bar, information technology can exist well-nigh impossible to intermission the anode rod gratuitous.

Plow off the ability or gas. Then shut the cold-h2o valve at the pinnacle of the tank and drain off several gallons. Loosen the hex caput with the bear on wrench, only unscrew it the rest of the style past hand.

Hint: The hex caput may be under a plastic cap. Uncover it, then pull it upwardly and out to check its condition (Photo 1).

Buy a new anode rod at a home eye or online (see sources beneath). Install a flexible rod if y'all have less than 44 in. of clearance above your heater (Photo two). Plow on the h2o, the power or gas, and burp the air from the system. Check the condition of your anode rod every 3 years.

If the hex head is set below the elevation of the heater, y'all'll need a 1-1/16-in. socket to accomplish information technology. If it protrudes higher up the tiptop, you lot can use any type of wrench. Chances are your old anode rod will be frozen in place by corrosion. Dunk the caput with a spray lubricant such as WD-twoscore and give it a few minutes to penetrate. Yous may also take to sideslip a "cheater" pipe over the wrench handle to increment your torque. The weight of the water in the tank is usually enough to proceed the entire heater from turning. But if it begins to movement, have a helper (or 2) hold it in place.

When the threads suspension free, stop turning and look for h2o effectually the hex head. If you see leakage, bleed the tank further. If you don't have enough overhead clearance to pull the rod out of the tank, curve it every bit you remove it. Then when you buy a new rod, choose a flexible, "segmented" version. Smear Teflon pipage thread sealant on the threads of the new rod earlier yous install it. Don't use tape, since it can reduce the effectiveness of the rod. Before you lot turn on the h2o and electricity or gas, bleed some other gallon out of the tank to flush out whatsoever remaining droppings.

Tips for buying an anode rod

New vs. used

Anode rods are designed to concenter corrosive elements in the water, thereby diminishing corrosion in the vulnerable steel liner.

A magnesium water heater anode rod protects your tank better just doesn't last as long every bit an aluminum/ zinc rod.
Aluminum/zinc rods anode are cheaper and are recommended if yous have smelly water. But consult a water treatment specialist before switching to an aluminum rod.