How to remove anode rod from water heater

Once you have a new aluminum anode rod or a magnesium anode rod installing it will be easy. The anode rods head is offset in its opening atop the water heater making it essentially impossible to get an ordinary 1-116.

Allowing everything to cool and equalize might make the anode easier to remove.

How to remove anode rod from water heater. Remove a seized hot water anode rod with a strap and block to prevent the tank from rotating. The anode rod is basically an aluminum cylinder around a steel-wire core attached to a steel bolt that screws into the top of the water heater. It has a 1-116 hex head that calls for a rather large socket.

You can see one problem right away. The anode rods head is offset in its opening atop the water heater making it essentially impossible to get an ordinary 1-116. How to Replace the Anode Rod in your Hot Water Heater.

If playback doesnt begin shortly try restarting your device. Videos you watch may be. As a last resort before the tank makes a fool of you try to tighten the anode rod just a hair.

If it moves tighter then reverse the effort and remove the rod. Sometimes it is easier to turn the threaded part tighter since the last strain was in the tightening phase. If it works you can laugh at the tank and smile.

Turn off the power to your hot water tank. Open up a faucet in your home. Attach a hose to the drain valve on your hot water tank.

Turn off the cold water for the hot water tank. Drain some of the water from your hot water tank. Locate the anode rod on your hot water tank.

Click to see full answer. Hereof how often should I change the anode rod in. Discussion Starter 1 Jun 12 2010.

Ok so we have quite a problem around here with Magnesium anode rods and well water causing a smell on the hot water. This is pretty common take the rod out void warranty and the smell goes away. Bradford White has a solution to this for certain zipcodes they send water heaters with an Aluminum rod.

The other thing to consider is to turn off any power to the water heater and allow everything to cool before trying to trying to loosen the anode. The anode is a solid rod that could allow the plug to expand with heat tightly into the surrounding bung. Allowing everything to cool and equalize might make the anode easier to remove.

Find out what to do when you have trouble removing the anode rod from your water heater tank. Learn why you should replace your water heater after about 10 to 12 years. Get tips on considering a tankless water heater which only heats the water.

Once you have a new aluminum anode rod or a magnesium anode rod installing it will be easy. The process is the reverse of how you removed it. Be sure that you tighten the new rod into place extremely securely using your socket or wrench to finish the job.

Then close the drain on the water heater and turn the water supply back on. Anode rods generally can last about three to five years but it really depends mostly on the quality of your water and how much water travels through your water heater. By checking the condition of your anode rod every 3 years you can reduce the chances of a leak improve the quality of your water reduce water heater wear and tear and save a.

Open the drain valve and allow the tank to drain about 5 gallons of water. Then close the drain valve and remove the garden hose. Pry the plastic cap covering the anode rod off of the top of the water heater.

Remove the foam insulation then unthread the anode rod and pull it up and out from the tank. Click to see full answer. How do I remove the anode rod from my Rheem water heater.

Remove the plastic cap to expose the anode rod. If its not clearly visible down to the tank shell take a flat blade screwdriver and carefully remove the insulation and expose the anode rod head. The anode rod is a piece designed to slow down corrosion and rusting in water heaters.

The rod is made of magnesium which wears out faster than steel. When water corrodes the magnesium the anode rod releases electrons into the tank which form a protective barrier around the steel of the tank. Never hit or hammer the tank to remove the anode rod as this could damage the inner tank causing it to leak.

If you are having difficulty removing the anode rod try using a breaker bar to break the rusted seal. I do not recommend using lubricates like Liquid Wrench or WD40 as they could leak into the water heater and contaminate the water supply. Rheem recommended replacing the magnesium anode rode with an aluminum rod to stop the reaction with the iron rich water we have thus removing the sulfur smell.

I know this shouldnt be that difficult but for the life of me I cannot get the anode rod to budge. Ive had my brother over with a 4 ft breaker bar trying to get it off - no luck. If your water heater doesnt have a separate hole for your anode rod it is most likely attached to the hot water outlet.

Unscrew the flex supply to the hot water outlet which should enable you to unscrew the anode rod and pull it out to check.