26
May
Aluminum anode rods are best for places with hard water. A malfunctioning anode rod does not have to be the reason for replacing your water heater.
If you want to protect your water heaters then companies are providing us with magnesium anode rods aluminum anode rods zinc anode rods and a combination of aluminumzinc anode rods.
Hot water heater anode types. Deterioration is the most common type of problem with an anode rod in a hot water heater. However if the rod is deteriorating and corroding it means that its doing its job which is why this is the most common problem. If the steel wire of the rods core is exposed then it might be time for a new one.
Magnesium anode rods are the most common anode rods used in residential water heaters. They work well in soft water water with fewer electrolytes. In Hard water the rods corrode quickly so you might have to replace your anode.
As aluminum anode rods corrode they can produce an aluminum oxide deposit normally found at the bottom of water heaters but occasionally make it into the main water supply and into faucet aerators. The aluminum oxide forms a virtually odorless gel substance that can vary in texture from a firm somewhat sticky curd to a thick running slurry. Most water heater come with aluminum anode rods from the factory.
They are the least expensive and provide the lowest level of protection. Aluminum is also useful because it is flexible so rods can be made for limited spaces where a straight rod wouldnt work. Homes with hard water should use this type of slow-corroding anode rod to protect their hot water tanks.
This type of anode rod is not pure zinc but rather aluminum with a tenth part of zinc added. Zinc anode rods dont come standard on. There are two types of anodes.
One is a hex head type. If you look at the top of your tank you should be able to find one or two hex nuts that are exposed or under plastic covers. This type it the most common.
The other type is a combination anode that is in the hot water outlet nipple. Usually when a hot water tank has two anodes you will find one of each. You more commonly found aluminum anode rods in older water heaters.
They are no longer widely used due to the risk of metal poisoning in the hot tap water supply. Aluminum anode rods are the cheapest and longest-lasting type of anode rod available. As a Plumber I receive calls every day from people who require a hot water heater replacement this replacement is often being done prematurely due to the fact that they have not serviced and replaced the sacrificial anode on their water heater.
Anodes are steel core rods surrounded with either magnesium aluminium or zinc and are installed on the top of hot water. When two metals are found in the water heater the one with more negative electrochemical potential is going to corrode first. If you want to protect your water heaters then companies are providing us with magnesium anode rods aluminum anode rods zinc anode rods and a combination of aluminumzinc anode rods.
Correspondingly what is better aluminum or magnesium anode rod. For harder water an aluminum anode rod is the best choice for your heater and if you live in an area with soft water then a magnesium anode rod is your best choice. Aluminum anodes tend to be cheaper than magnesium anode rods.
A magnesium rod will generally last less than an aluminum rod. Water Heater Anode Rod Guide. Tankless water heaters do not contain an anode rod however standard tank-style water heaters do.
An anode rod helps prevent corrosion of a water tank and its elements and is often referred to as the sacrificial anode by experts. Tank style water heaters come under a lot of pressure from the acidity of. A water heater anode rod also known as the sacrificial anode is the element that protects the metal tank from corrosion when in contact with the water electrolyte.
The anode is made of steel core wire that is covered with one of three materials. Aluminum zinc or magnesium. A malfunctioning anode rod does not have to be the reason for replacing your water heater.
In some cases however the repair expert might recommend replacing it even when a non-functional anode rod is the cause of your water heaters corrosion. This is usually if your water heater is more than 20 years old and has other issues. Overall there are quite a few advantages to using powered anode rods.
They dont degrade prevent smelly water by killing anaerobic bacteria that leads to that rotten egg smell and protect your hot water heater from corrosive elements in the water. Probably the best powered anode rod today is made by Corro-Protec. The anode rod is one of the most essential parts of a standard hot water heater because it helps to prevent tank corrosion and rusting.
But the life expectancy of your anode rod is often far shorter than that of the hot water heater itself. Thats why you must check it regularly and replace it every few years. Anodes and Hot Water System Types.
All gas electric and solar mains-pressure water heaters with a vitreous enamel or bonded ceramic coating utilize a sacrificial anode to provide additional corrosion protection. The common brands are Rheem Vulcan and Dux as well as Solahart solar heaters. The metal anode rod draws minerals present in the water via an electrochemical process by oxidizing faster than the metal of the water heater tank it is protecting.
In conventional gas and electric water heaters there are three common types of metal used in. Before diving into the details of anode rods its important to note that they are only found in tank-based water heatersTankless water heaters do not have anode rods. Tank-based water heaters are normally under a lot of pressure from the heat they produce and the acid that is contained in water.
This makes them highly susceptible to corrosion. An anode rod is one of. Aluminum anode rods are best for places with hard water.
The aluminum rod will withstand harder water better than a magnesium or zinc rod. Zinc anode rods are designed to eliminate or reduce the sulphur or rotten egg smell present. A Zinc anode rod made from a combination of aluminum and zinc.
Rheem Dux Vulcan Aquamax Rinnai Hot water heaters. We can usually do a replacement within the same day. See our product range for more details page for more details Products.
Continuous flow gas hot water systems. Continuous Flow gas water heaters can deliver hot water that will never run out because they heat water when and as you need it. Aluminum and aluminumzinc anode rods are used in similar ways as magnesium sacrificial rods.
However aluminum rods are the better choice for a water heater that heats up sulfate-tinged water. Sacrificial anodes change sulfates into hydrogen sulfides. If youve seen our previous 2 videos about flushing RV water heaters youll know weve talked quite a bit about anode rods.
Generally Suburban brand water.