Anode's Rapid Demise

wildtoad wrote:
The picture of the completely used up anode shows that Teflon tape is fine to use. I wouldn’t waste too much time on this just buy a new one every year and be done with it.

I would say for him 9 mo is a MAX as it's nearly gone.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Do you use a 'water softener'?

Your friend does...correct?
Is his anode rod aluminum?
Aluminum and water softeners are not good combo

9 mos & using a water softener is about average consumption of an anode rod.


Magnesium rod......have a 'tit' on head
Aluminum rod.......smooth head


Teflon tape.....no effect on the cathodic action
Threads on anode rod and drain hole cut thru that tape and make metal to metal contact.
Magnesium has better galvanic current flow then Aluminum.

I do NOT use a water softener. I only use a Pentex Charcoal filter.

He said he used Magnesium, he sent a link and the head has a TIT.

I just looked and based on what you said mine must be Aluminum. Looked at purchase Summer 2016 and it is aluminum.

Just seems like a lot of consumption in 9 months.

Had my well pump and galvanized pipe replaced in NW WA, the Well guy said I had great water and everything was VERY clean.

The picture of the completely used up anode shows that Teflon tape is fine to use. I wouldn’t waste too much time on this just buy a new one every year and be done with it.

Do you use a 'water softener'?

Your friend does...correct?
Is his anode rod aluminum?
Aluminum and water softeners are not good combo

9 mos & using a water softener is about average consumption of an anode rod.


Magnesium rod......have a 'tit' on head
Aluminum rod.......smooth head


Teflon tape.....no effect on the cathodic action
Threads on anode rod and drain hole cut thru that tape and make metal to metal contact.
Magnesium has better galvanic current flow then Aluminum.

Mine pictured basically with a "rash" is Magnesium. Edit: It's actually Aluminum.

"A filter will do nothing to preserve an anode rod."

This makes no sense to me. Guess I don't understand? My water is good, Anode looks good. His water has been made to be good, Anode is bad.

larry barnhart wrote:
Way too much telfon tape and this will not let the rod do it's thing. Your tank will die early. Just one wrap is best. The male threads need to touch the female threads. chevman I now use pipe compound.

chevman

I mentioned that to him saying I use Permatex Teflon in a squeeze tube.

Teflon tape is so thin and weak the anode rod threads will immediately cut thru it and make metal to metal contact. Tape is for sealing between threads, not insulating them. Two or three turns of tape is plenty. But use pipe dope if that makes you feel better.

What will have far more impact is whether you use a magnesium rod or an aluminum rod. A magnesium rod will give itself up much faster than an aluminum rod. I replaced an old magnesium rod with aluminum rod one time. That rod still looked almost new 3 years later using same water sources indicating it was not doing much to protect the tank. Now use nothing but OEM magnesium and replace yearly.

It all depends on the water being used, nothing else. A filter will do nothing to preserve an anode rod.

On my trailer one season will take out a rod and then the next one will last 3 seasons. Not sure why. Could be the maker of the rod. I just inspect it at the beginning of the year and decide if I need new or reuse.

Way too much telfon tape and this will not let the rod do it's thing. Your tank will die early. Just one wrap is best. The male threads need to touch the female threads. chevman I now use pipe compound.

chevman