What do anodes do in a water heater

Aluminum may be a health problem, so to be safe you may not want to drink hot water and make sure to run some cold water through the faucet spout before drinking the water.

Keep in mind, our sodas come in aluminum cans too. Magnesium anode rods are the most common type of anode rod.

They are used in places where water is softer. They do not last very long when you have hard water, a couple years at best. This is the main reason water heaters don't last long after the anode rod is eaten up. Zinc anode rods are really just aluminum anode rods with a small portion being zinc. The ratio of zinc to aluminum is The reason zinc is added is to combat any sulfur smell coming from the water.

A new water heater is never installed with a zinc anode rod already in it, but it is a good upgrade if you experience rotten egg smell coming from your hot water. The Water Heater Anode Rod. The role of the sacrificial anode rod.

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Then, follow these steps: First, turn off the power to your water heater. Its location depends on your water heater model. Most are accessible from the top of the appliance, hidden under a plastic cap. You may have to remove insulating material to reach it. Now drain the tank, at least partially. Wearing work gloves is recommended for this step since the rod might be hot. You should expect some resistance at first before the worn-out anode gets freed.