What You Need to Know About Anode Rods
Learn why checking anode rods is a vital part of water heater maintenance.
When was the last time you had your water heater professionally serviced? If you can’t remember, chances are good that you are long overdue for certain vital maintenance tasks that are critical to the continued safe and efficient operation of your water heater. One excellent example is anode rod maintenance.
What the Anode Rod Does
Sometimes called a “sacrificial rod,” the anode rod is a long piece of aluminum or magnesium that is designed to attract the corrosive ions in water that normally degrade iron and steel. This means that instead of having corrosion attacking the walls of your water heater storage tank, the corrosion is attacking the anode rode and slowly degrading it. In this way, anode rods can help save you from unpleasant rusty water and from costly leaks and tank failures.
When to Check & Replace Your Anode Rod
Because the entire purpose of the anode rode is to be consumed by corrosion, sooner or later it will become depleted and need to be replaced. A variety of factors can affect the service life of the anode rod, including the type of metal it is made from, the chemistry of your water, and the volume of water you use. To be on the safe side, it is recommended to check your anode rod once per year to see how much it has degraded. However, you may be able to go years before the anode rod actually needs to be replaced.
Other Vital Water Heater Maintenance Tasks
While keeping a working anode rod in your hot water tank will go a long way towards preserving your water quality and extending the service life of your water heater, it is by no means the only water heater maintenance task that needs routine attention. You will also want to make sure you get these services as needed:
Tank flush: As water is heated, minerals (especially calcium carbonate) precipitate out of the water and settle in the bottom of your tank. This layer of sediment can interfere with the energy efficiency of your water heater and may also result in dirty-looking water. To prevent this, experts recommend flushing your water heater tank on a regular basis. Depending on how hard your water is (how much mineral content it has) you may need to do this every year.
Descaling: If you have very hard water, or if it has been a long time since your last tank flush, the sediment in the tank may harden into a layer of mineral scale. This will impede energy efficiency even more, and may even result in the bottom of the tank overheating and becoming so weak that you get a leak or tank failure. Fortunately there are ways to remove mineral buildup using special descaling products.
Inspection: Whether you have a gas water heater or an electric one, frequent professional inspections are important to ensure that everything is working safely and correctly. Inspections are recommended every year.
Call The Stanley Louis Company for Expert Service
At The Stanley Louis Company, we specialize in water heater service and maintenance. You can rely on us to keep your unit in top working condition as long as possible and never try to sell you an unnecessary or overpriced service. Call us at 800-217-6527 to schedule your water heater service.
