How to Replace the Anode in a Water Heater | Repair and Replace
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2024
- What does an anode rod do? How do I replace an anode rod? In this episode of Repair and Replace, Vance shows how to remove the anode rod to check the corrosion. Water heaters are vulnerable to rust and corrosion. The anode rod acts as a lighting rod, sacrificing itself to protect the tank. Most anode rods will last 4-6 years. If the anode rod dissolves or becomes completely encased with calcium then it will no longer protect the tank and will need to be replaced.
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00:00 Intro
01:01 How it Works
02:11 Anode Types
02:49 What You'll Need
03:09 Disconnect the Water Heater
03:49 Drain Some Water
4:20 Remove the Anode
5:14 Install the Anode
6:10 Refill the Tank
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My water heater is 26 years old and is clear, clean and corrosion free. Not a typo, 26 years. I change anode every five years and flush every 3 months. A good rule of thumb is to check for leaks after turning on water and before turning on gas or power. Great instructional video.
What brand ? My AO Smith lasted exact;y 19 years with, sadly, zero maintenance performed... I wish I had known about maintenance requirements to extend its life a decade or more !
Thanks for sharing, and we're glad you liked the video! It seems like your regular maintenance paid off, 26 years is far beyond the average water heater!
Hey! My water heater is 26 years old now too! I have only maintained it since we bought the house(1 year).
Is yours 30 years now? Did it make it???
@AdmiralDG the electric water heater was installed in 1994 and still going. I purchased the house when the water heater was seven years old and not maintained at all. To be fair, over the past twenty plus years I have owned it, I have slowly replaced just about every part on it myself. In the last ten years I have only replaced the anode. One thing that was a design flaw in WHs the age of ours was a dip tube that deteriorated over time and needed replacement. The part was $0.50 at the time. The plumber on the This Old House, made the statement that a WH could last indefinitely if properly maintained. An important modification I made was replacing the easily clogged plastic drain valve for three-quarter inch brass ball valve. To your question, my 30 year old WH is still going strong!
5:30 **Update** In some cases excessive tape might create issues with the anode rod. 2 - 3 turns should be fine in most cases, where 6 turns can sometimes be a bit too much.
I have no idea what's wrong with our heater, but this was the absolutely best how to video I've seen for any home upkeep. Very informational! Great lesson!
Thank you Amy, we're glad you found the video helpful! If you are unsure what is wrong with your water heater, then we have a whole playlist of troubleshooting videos and repairs that you might find helpful. The first video being How a Water Heater Works, czcams.com/video/BHUPFLbb8NY/video.html
Thanks for making this video. Really helpful, covered a lot of material in a very well-explained sequence. One suggestion: remind viewers that when installing a new tank, check that they, or the plumber, has not soldered elbows, mixing valves, or other copper fittings directly over top of the anode access!! It can really hamper the replacement job if you have to start playing around with the piping. Most tanks come with the anode pre-installed, and some of the folks I've talked to don't read the owner's manual and don't know about the need for draining and checking/replacing the anode.
You're welcome Rob, and thank you for that tip. Not all people think about ongoing maintenance when doing installations. The more repairs someone does, the more they start thinking about how easy it is to access the parts that they need to replace. You are right that these sorts of things are good to mention for general awareness.
Great video for beginners. Especially appreciated the power and faucet instructions.
Thank you, we're just happy to help!
best instructions i've seen on this
Thank you, we're glad that you found the video helpful!
Thanks,
Very good, to the point and Very well explained.
Best Wishes
You're welcome Tariq, we're just happy to help!
Super helpful 👍 Thank you for posting
You're welcome!!
Fantastic tutorial. Thank you.
You're welcome!
Great video , thanks for your help .
You're welcome Rogelio!
Thank you! Great video.
You're welcome!
For years I have tried to replace my Anode to no avail. Used a breaker bar, impact wrench, and certain sprays to loosen it but nothing worked. Its been 17 years now with this tank and no problems yet. I will definitely call on AMRE supply to install a new tank.
Thanks for watching. It seems like you tried everything possible but after 17 years the threads are likely rusted and fused together at this point. When you get a new tank, checking the anode yearly can help prevent the threads from fusing.
Most of time impact wrench will free stuck anode rod unless your impact wrench is not powerful enough to break loose the rod. You can also install anode rod in hot water outlet instead of main anode rod.
An strong electric or pneumatic impact should destroy your water heater if it won’t come out. If you are using a battery powered impact, that isn’t strong enough.
Just replaced a 16 year old sears power miser 12 water heater this week.For fun,I tried to remove the rod with my 20 volt dewalt impact gun.Would not budge.
Same here. Tried removing anode on new heater, it's epoxied in . No luck.
Helpful video. Thank you
You're welcome!
Great video !
Thank you Frank!
Thanks, so details/quality video.
You're welcome, we're just happy to share some good info!
Excellent video
Thank you Renee, we're just happy to help!
Great video. Thanks!
Glad you liked it!
Very good, detailed 😃 video. Mine started leaking from the rod's screw so i will replace it.
Thank you, we're just happy to help!
Thank you
You're welcome!
Had to use an impact wrench to get mine off, took about 2 minutes, easy!
Hi Aaron, thank you for watching! An impact wrench definitely is useful in this case, and requires a little less elbow grease. Glad it went smoothly!
@@AmreSupply Is Impact Wrench safe to use for an anode rod removal ? How can an anode rod be removed when I don't have much space vertical space above the tank ? Can it be cut using hack saws ? I know they make nunchuck type of anode replacement rods now but my challenge is removal of factory install full size rod.
@@ptg01 P G Thank you for watching! It can be tricky to remove a factor installed anode especially if the threads are starting to seize. An impact wrench is safe to use as long as there is enough headroom above the water heater. You can always try applying some penetrating oil and let it sit to work its way into the threads. If you don't have room for an impact then try a socket with a long extension to help get enough torque. Cutting it out would be difficult and slow and would be a last resort.
AMRE Supply I just realized applying penetrating oil will most likely help BUT it may contaminate the water in the tank ! !!
@@ptg01 If the anode rod is really stuck in there, it is unlikely that the penetrating oil will make it all the way into the tank but you're right oil some could make it in. But thinking of it practically contamination is really only a concern if you intend on drinking or cooking with the hot water.
Great video...awesome explanation....I have everything to install the new anode rod and it bends, because I dont have a lot of space from the ceiling. The anode in the
tank is solid though...if I try to bend it will I damage the tank? I have a bout 32 inches of clearance from the top of the tank to the roof. Is there a better way to remove anode?
Thanks for watching, we're glad that you found it helpful! Depends on how much of the old rod is left. In some cases the anode rode might have to be cut out. You might need vice grips to hold the bottom of the old rod to prevent the bottom of the rod from falling in. A hack saw will be enough to cut through the old anode rod.
they have segments rods now that come in 4 sections so much easier to install. Got mine at Lowes for $37
Great video - thanks for posting. Question: I was able to undo the anode rod but there is so much hardened material on it that I can't pull it out of the opening. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks for watching. You could try to use some vinegar to try to dissolve some of the minerals around the opening.You might need to break some of it loose to get it out.
I have completed every step you have described but now I have arrived at a point where I'm totally puzzled. I have a 4 year old REEM WH and because I'm on well water, sulfate [rotten egg smell] has made it necessary to install an alu anode rod. I have located the anode as shown in my manual but it is encased in a thick cover of Styrofoam. I whittled most of it out but what appears is a green wire/bar across the opening i.e. above the rod head. In no place have I found any mention of such a bar so that I'm now questioning whether it is indeed the anode rod that I have exposed. Any suggestions?
Thanks for watching! Many water heaters have styrofoam around beneath the anode cap. If there is no other cap or access on the top for the anode then you're likely in the right place. You said that you can see the hexagonal head of the anode. Is there anyway to lift the wire up or out of the way so that you can get a socket on the anode?
Free
I have a low ceiling in the basement, not sure if I can fit a new anode in, If not do I have to put water heater on side to get it in?
Thank you for watching. These are less common but there are flexible anode rods and ones that come in segments that you can bend to get into tight places. To remove the old anode rode you might need to cut it in half with a hack saw. No need to put the water heater on it's side.
Very nice video ,thanks!!
You're welcome!!
Our hot water tank sits under our stairwell, its top only inches below the underside of the level steps, so withdrawing the dip tube, if it's rigid and won't bend, won't be possible. (Unit's not gas but electric.) Is there such thing as a flexible dip tube that I may acquire to install once I've gone through the anticipated agony of trying to tilt my emptied tank so as to succeed in pulling out the present (presumed faulty) tube? 🥵
Thanks for watching. There are flexible anode rods and segmented anode rods. As for dip tubes, they are plastic but might not bend as nicely. You can always go to the store and test out how much it bends before hand.
Would impact wrench damage the glass lining? Some say yes some say no, but the old anode rod won't move even I put Liquid Wrench and with a 2 feet breaker bar. I may have to use impact wrench sooner or later.
Thanks for watching. Using a impact wrench should not damage the glass lining, and in some cases its the only way to remove the anode.
@@AmreSupply Thanks for the information and suggestion. Thanks for the video. Subscribed.
@@callmebackfriday2 You're welcome and thank you for subscribing! We've got some great series in the works so stay tuned!
@@AmreSupply After having to use an impact wrench, my new anode leaks. I suspect the impact wrench broke a weld somewhere and/or cracked the glass. So I'm gonna disagree with you and warn that an impact wrench should be your last resort only.
Yes, absolutely a possibility. I believe an impact wrench damaged my heater so that I cannot stop a small leak at the new anode. Be very careful. Go with a 36" breaker bar. Impact wrench only as a last resort.
Before putting in the new A.Rod, can I add a cup of white vinegar to the empty tank (all water must be drained before) and then open up the cold water to wash the tank?
Thanks for watching. Yes vinegar can be used to help dissolve any minerals and help flush out the tank. If needed you can always do a backflush. You can see this here: czcams.com/video/hkbi24QJhDw/video.html
How long are the anode rods ? My water heater is in the basement I only have about 3 ft clearance on top thank you
Thanks for watching. The anode rods are usually close to the length of the inner tank. They do not touch the bottom but go close as an estimate. If you have less clearance than the length of the rod, you might need to bend or cut the rod to remove it. To install a new rod there are flexible / segmented rods available.
IS there anyway to take pic inside heater with anode rod out. I did not change for 9 years
Thanks for watching. There are Flexible Endoscope that can connect to your smart phone. This have a build in light for illumination. You can find these on Amazon.
Have a older GE gas tank and can't get anode rod 1 -1/16" bolt off. Can I just add a new "ONE PIECE HOT WATER SIDE NIPPLE anode rod" without extracting the old one out of the tank, basically having two. Leave old one in the tank and just add the new one. Any problem with this scenario, or you absolutely need to get the old one out? Thanks Rick"
Thanks for watching. If you cannot remove the old anode rod with a impact wrench or any other means then installing a combination anode rod / nipple on the water outlet pipe would still protect the tank.
I have a short hot water heater no problems with it I want to flush it out and also replace the anode rod while I am at it. But i can't find one that's short just an rv one. My tank is 45 gal and is 32" tall. All the rods I see are 45" long. Will the snake type rod work on my HWH.
Hi Jeff, thanks for watching. The snake type or segmented rods will work with the water heater as long as the thread size is the same. Additionally you can always cut the bottom of a regular anode rode to make it fit with your RV water heater, again just double check that the threads are the same.
Does the rod come in different length, how can I tell?
Thanks for watching. There isn't much variation on anode length when buying. If the anode is too long, it can be trimmed using a hacksaw.
I've seen some other plumbing videos here on CZcams that says use to pipe dope instead of the tape in regards to anode rods. Supposedly , the tape is preventing proper bonding between the two metals thereby inhibiting the rod from doing it's job. What's your opinion AMRE?
Thanks for watching. When using tape, if you only wrap several times, the threads on the anode will cut through the tape and will still make contact with the threads on the tank. The current flow to the anode is quite low so it doesn't require that much metal to metal contact for the anode to do it's job.
Why do you guys use an excessive amount of teflon tape? I actually wired brushed my fitting when i replaced my rod with a new one to improve the electrical connection. Seals just fine and will theoretically improve the effectiveness.
Thanks for watching. Applying telflon tape will prevent the threads from seizing making it easier to remove in the future. When applying several turns, of tape the threads will still cut through and there will still be a metal to metal connection for the anode to work. 2 turns will be enough for most cases.
We bought a new house and it was built in 2016.. I don't think the previous owner did any maintenance. I think its time I do this!
Thanks for watching. We actually have a maintenance guide which includes the anode and other checks: czcams.com/video/ZTUNLIXKVu4/video.html
@@AmreSupply Im trying to find the right anode rod.. I have a AO Smith 40 gallon short electric water heater.. I see rods at 42 inches and I guess that would be fine if my water heater is close to 50 inches from top to bottom. I removed the anode cap and seems there is an endless pit of insulation foam, smh lol..
@@sanantoniodood Anode rods can be cut to fit using a hacksaw. As long as the anode rod fits the exact length will not truly matter.
I would also remove the aerator from the faucet to avoid clogging it up or use the bathtub faucet if possible.
Thanks for watching, that is a good tip!
My anode rod came without a hex nut; do I use the old one?
Thanks for watching. That seems unusual. Does your anode rod have threads? What is on the end of it?
@@AmreSupply Threads.
@@jdsirrom4314 How is the old one mounted? Did it look like the example in the video?
Are you saying that the new anode rod just has has threads on the end but no hex nut?
@@AmreSupply Yessir. However, I went back to Lowes and purchased one with the hex nut included; I don’t understand the other one.
@@jdsirrom4314 You must be referring to an anode rode that would connect to a hot water supply. In some models it is built in. These anode rods will have a double sided nipple with threads on both sides. There will be a channel to allow hot water to pass through the top of the anode and into the hot water pipes to your home.
I think the elephant in the room is you will not have enough ceiling height to remove/reinstall the rod without draining the tank, disconnecting the hoses, and tipping it over. They say it is 42" long, and I have only 36" to ceiling. Can you cut the rod? I read that you can. Do those 'flexible' (segmented) rods work? Will they keep the water heater in warranty or void it? How often should you check it? What if you forget to de-pressurize the water heater - does it blow the anode into the ceiling like control rods in the Chernobyl disaster? Is Magnesium 'better'?
Thanks for watching. Yes the rod can be cut with a hack saw when you remove it. You might want to clamp or tie something onto the bottom half to prevent it from falling back into the tank but even if it did, it wouldn't create issues from being in the tank, it would just stop providing any protection.
The segmented rods will still work as intended.
As for pressure, the tank is installed with a pressure relief valve. This can be tested to make sure it can open and close properly.
As for checking the anode rod this really depends on how hard your water is. If you check it first every 6 - 12 months and you don't see much change, then you could check it less frequently.
We have a maintenance guide which you might find helpful: czcams.com/video/ZTUNLIXKVu4/video.html
You help change the anode rod for water heater 20 years old.
Thanks for watching, we're just happy to help!
Aren't you wrapping the tape COUNTER-CLOCKWISE?
Thank you for watching. Clockwise and counterclockwise depends on your reference point. The video mentions "looking at the threads, tape is always applied in a clockwise direction". This is the same as wrapping counter-clockwise when looking down at the end of the anode rod nut. The anode rod is screwed in clockwise (when looking down) which means the teflon tape will tighten against itself when screwed in. Hopefully that helps clarify the wording.
you should have flushed out the remaining magnesium deposit from the bottom of the tank before installing the rod
Thanks for watching. Yes this is a good time to flush the tank and it would have been worth mentioning to point to our other videos. We've covered that in our yearly maintenance video as well as this video czcams.com/video/hkbi24QJhDw/video.html
I’m going to hire someone to do this for me and stick to construction 🤣🤣🤣🤣😬
Seriously? It couldn't be any easier to do....
Thanks for watching. If you don't have an impact wrench, socket or breaker bar then it can be more challenging to remove without buying some tools, so there is no shame in hiring someone to do this.
Why the water heater manufacturers don’t make the inside tank stainless steel to last longer.
Thanks for watching. There are tanks made from stainless steel. These last longer but have a higher upfront cost which is why they are not as common.
companies like high turnover and high profits. Remember .they made light bulbs that would last 100 yrs back in the 1900's they soon found out people will rush out to buy a product but no repeat customers they go out of business.
Yea, all good unless the rod is under the exit pipe
Thanks for watching. You are right that not all setups are as simple as others. In some cases you might need to cut the anode rod to remove it.
Sorry but the tape does not go on "clockwise". The result is that the tape will unwind from the threads as you attempt to screw the new anode or any other threaded part onto it's mating surface.
Thank you for watching. Clockwise and counterclockwise depends on your reference point. The video mentions "looking at the threads, tape is always applied in a clockwise direction". This is the same as wrapping counter clockwise when looking down at the end of the anode rod nut. The anode rod is screwed in clockwise (when looking down) which means the teflon tape will tighten against itself when screwed in. Hopefully that helps clarify the wording.
@@AmreSupply The same question occurred to me, but the video was correct, I think, no matter the verbal explanation.
one bad instruction. using 3 to 6 turns of teflon tape you may prevent the rod from being grounded. That may reduce its performance.
Thanks for watching. You are right that excessive tape might prevent the rod from being grounded, Tape is usually not an issue as the threads generally cut through the tape when tightened. When removed generally the crests of the threads are bare as the tape is pushed into the valleys.
The tape looks like it going counter-clockwise. (5:36)
Thanks for watching. Looking towards the threads the tape is being applied over top, left to right which is clockwise.
@@AmreSupply Watching late at night - you are right
Needlessly complicated instructions. Just buy an impact wrench at Walmart ($40) and use it to unscrew the anode rod.
Thanks for watching. You are right that an impact wrench is the best way to go but for tutorials like these we try to show multiple options.