Anode Rod in Stick Home?

Sometimes, maybe most of the time, the anode rod is 1. very difficult to unscrew and 2. is too long to remove due to the low ceilings in the basement or other location.
Some of the new anode rods are segmented but the old ones probably not. I'm not a plumber but I watch This Old House...

skipro3 wrote:
Get a glass lined water heater and it won't corrode out.

Not really correct.
Gas lined WH's are the ones that rot out. They used to make them out of copper and they would last forever. Some RV WH's are aluminum and wont rot so they wont need an anode.
Gas lining just makes it last longer than mild steel alone but without an anode you would be lucky to get 5 or 6 years out of one.

Get a glass lined water heater and it won't corrode out.

a lot depends on the water. In our area, the anode rod in my trailer or home lasts a LONG LONG LONG time. When we lived in montana and ND, lots of areas would consume an anode rod in short order, a year or two in the trailer, 5-6 years in the house.

Dave H M wrote:
I do not drain the water heater but do flush it on occasion. Let the water gush out the bottom until it runs clear. :h

That is why you are going on 15 yrs.
Majority of water heaters get replaced and are very bottom heavy due to the crud/sludge caked in bottom of tank

I do not drain the water heater but do flush it on occasion. Let the water gush out the bottom until it runs clear. :h

It depends on water quality..

standard Water heaters are designed to last 6-8 years. After that its a **** shoot..

A 10 year plus warranty water heater thats bought has two anodes in it..

My water heater thats on a well dont last 6 years. I can probably make it last longer by getting a powered anode. But I usually get one for free under warranty and then have to buy the next one.

If your heater is going on 15 years with no service of anode and flushing just leave it.. Once you touch it you probably will make it leak...

As far as RV heaters. Anodes are only needed if the heater is not drained. I drain mine after every trip...

Im a plumber 30 plus years...

DBL Post...

No, we simply do preventive replacement about the 15 year mark due to our water supply

VERY FEW......

Most don't even KNOW that their water heater has an anode rod

Few that do know they have one don't think about replacement if they even remember

Most water heaters get replaced and they come with a new anode rod already installed



15 yrs and going strong.........
15 yrs is good service
Going strong----------that is debatable (heats water OK, hot water flows out OK BUT how much sediment and plating out has occurred lowering the capacity and recovery rate)

Besides anode rod....folks don't think about draining/flushing WH tanks at home either