W/H tank longevity and anode rod replacement?

If I were to replace the anode rod in an electric water heater every so many years, would the water heater tank last forever?

How often should I replace the anode rod in my electric water heater?

(BTW I used an impact wrench as suggested and my anode rod came right out! Thanks.)

The condition of the rod you took out will give you a hint about how often to replace it. If it is totally eaten up, you're late! If it still has some meat left on it, then this is a good time.


The tank will not last forever! But plenty of tanks which never had the anode changed last 20+ years. Beyond that, you have other things such as bad threads on an element boss, or H/C boss, general deterioration of the wiring, etc. In theory, at least, it could out last you!

rod

By the time the anode rod is eaten up, any defects on the tank's interior should be coated. Therefore, it may be like a common cold. If you treat it, it only lasts a week, but if you don't it will last seven days. If you change the rod and the heater lasts 12 years, you will never know if it would have lasted that long, or longer, if you had not touched it.

changeing the rod....

to change a anode rod is not usually an easy task....

they are usually installed at the factory with an impact wrench
....and they literally imbed themselves to the heater


you need a special sized socket and extra large sized
wrench.....

if the plug has been in the heater for a long time
their is a good chance you are not going to get it out ......

if you are going to attempt it, it might be wise
to have some extra hands holding the heater in place cause you
can literally turn the whole heater on the floor,
before that stubborn plug will budge...


I have had to change a water heater after only
one year becasue of the smell comming off the tank from the rod,

and we simply could not get the rod to budge out of the Rheem gas heater...

if you do get one out, be sure to grease up that
new rod with both tape and pipe dope. so it is easy to do again.....


also , FYI
if your wrench and cheater bar slips
when you are trying to get that rod out.....,
you can get cold-cocked in the jaw pretty good...

Billy_Bob said:

If I were to replace the anode rod in an electric water heater every so many years, would the water heater tank last forever?

How often should I replace the anode rod in my electric water heater?

(BTW I used an impact wrench as suggested and my anode rod came right out! Thanks.)

Click to expand...

Check out www.waterheaterrescue.com .

They believe that if you do replace the anode before it is eaten up, and keep the tank flushed out, they should last a long, long time.

anode

if your wrench and cheater bar slips
when you are trying to get that rod out.....,
you can get cold-cocked in the jaw pretty good...

two rules when using a wrench.
1. do not put your fingers underneath the handle when pushing on it.
2. Do not pull the wrench towards you.

I have never had a problem removing an anode rod!
In fact I take them out with one hand...
I also never have a water heater try to spin on me either!