Replacing Hot Water Heater Anode Rod

2 partially drain the water heater.

Replacing hot water heater anode rod.

If necessary unscrew and lift off the cover from the top of the heater. Water heaters use an anode rod to attract and remove sediments from the water being heated. A replacement anode rod a socket wrench a 1 and 1 16 inch socket a 24 inch cheater bar or pipe a flat blade screwdriver teflon tape. Natural micro organisms and sulfates that exist in some water can react to the aluminum or magnesium anode rods in the hot water tank creating a rotten egg smell.

As mentioned above you might have a water heater with a separate inlet for the anode rod or your anode rod might be installed on the hot water outlet. Find anode rod water heater parts at lowe s today. The rod may be under the water heater s sheet metal top or connected to the hot water outlet nipple. This diy repair guide explains how to replace the anode rod in an electric water heater.

4 use a ratchet wrench and 1 1 16 inch deep socket to unscrew the anode rod from the heater. You have searched for hot water heater anode rod replacement in many merchants compared about products prices reviews before deciding to buy them. The anode rod helps prevent tank corrosion. You can order an anode rod replacement for your water heater by directly from the hot water heater manufacturer.

An anode rod will corrode and deteriorate over time until it s no longer capable of functioning and has to be replaced. So it s best to replace the rod before that happens. How to replace the anode rod in a gas or electric water heater. Since most water heaters use a standard 3 4 npt connection you simply need to choose the type of installation you have.

5 if the anode rod won t budge slip a steel pipe onto ratchet wrench handle for extra leverage. 3 locate the anode rod on the water heater. I ll show you how to do it. I replaced the anode rod in my water heater and filmed the whole process from start to finish.