What is an Anode Rod & What Happens When it Goes Bad?

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Something you may not have heard of ~ the Anode Rod is key to the life of your electric water heater. A bad anode rod can cause discolored water, a rotten egg smell, air in the lines and intermittent hot water. The anode rod protects the tank of electric water heaters & signs it should be replaced are a rotten egg smell, no heat & strange sounds. In the electric water heater tank type units, the anode rod plays a key role.

What is an Anode Rod

What is an anode rod & what happens when it go bad? The anode is a metal rod that is placed in the water heater’s interior. The rod protects the steel walls of the tank by attracting minerals and sediment. The anode rods are made of either magnesium or aluminum. Magnesium is especially effective because of its ability to give electrons more freely than aluminum anodes. The rod pulls out sediment from the tank. The anode rod will extend the life of the water heater and maintain the quality of the hot water passing through your plumbing. So the anode rod extends the life of your tank by pulling out sediment which in turn eats away at the anode rod.

Anodes and Water Quality

A sure sign that your water quality is affecting the anode performance the rotten egg smell. The smell comes from high sulfur content in the water. In turn, this will eat up the anode and shorten the life of your water heater. Water tainted with sulfur is very common with well water.

Other factors of anode performance is the over use of water softeners, calcium and lime build up, and non-harmful sulfur eating bacteria.

Recommendations for Servicing your Water Heater

Signs that your water heater needs to be serviced includes air in the lines, a strong “rotten egg” smell, or discoloration in the water. You may also hear what sounds like air and the unit will work intermittently. This is due to the holes created in the rod as the mineral content eats away at the rod. This is a sure indicator your plumber needs to replace the anode rod with a new one. Also, checking the pH level of your water will help with preventative maintenance of the anode. Seven on the pH scale is ideal for anode rods. Regular flush & service of your water heater will certainly prolong the life of your unit as well. See more about how to maintain your water heater by clicking here.

You can replace your anode rod. Here is a link to a video from Rheem Electric Water Heater.

The next time you need a water heater serviced, contact Duncan Plumbing Solutions.

Voted best plumber Waxahachie and best plumber Midlothian, we serve Red Oak, Maypearl, Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville and all of Ellis County. Contact us today 972-937-0040

The post What is an Anode Rod & What Happens When it Goes Bad? appeared first on Duncan Plumbing Solutions.

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