water heater anode rod

this is what I know. We winter in Az for 6 months. I drain the water heater during the winter and then flush the white crud out from the terrible water here. Once I uses more than enough telfon tape and then noticed later when cleaning again the rod was looking like when I installed it. Plus some rust in the water when draining. I replaced the heater when we were home just because. Also had an older friend that has his neighbor replace the rod with a plug and a valve to drain the tank and the water was a mess with rust. The vinegar cleans the relief and the deposits that were on the valve were gone that could not seal. A lite tap on the end helps if water is leaking. Nice to hear all of the comments above. Never know everything even when my wife tells me"you think you know everything" chevman