Suburban Water Heater

[RobWNY]

I emptied my Water Heater today to begin winterizing my camper. When I took out the anode rod, it was pretty bad so I need to get a new one. I guess they are only good for one season. Looking online, I found aluminum rods and Magnesium rods. Which should I buy? Also, I stuck my finger in the tank and there's debris on the bottom of the tank. It feels sandy. It's just near where the anode rod gets threaded in. Is there a procedure to flush the tank better than just letting it drain? IS what I'm finding pretty normal?

[RobWNY]

luberhill wrote:
Do all wh’s have the anode rod ?? Mine
Is a Surburban also,

To the best of my knowledge, all Suburban Water Heaters have an anode Rod. If the drain plug is metal, most likely you have an anode rod attached to it. If it's a plastic/nylon plug you likely do not have an anode rod.

[luberhill]

My error mine is an Atwood

[luberhill]

Do all wh’s have the anode rod ?? Mine
Is a Surburban also,

[Cummins12V98]

RobWNY wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
This is one years use on West coast water.

Mine after one camping season looks way worse than that. Actually, up by the nut end, it's almost worn through. Maybe 1/4" diameter left. I think I'm going to check mine twice a year and make sure I have an extra on hand. I will admit that I didn't empty my hot water tank all season which would help.

.

My pic showed so little wear that I put it back in. I am on a once a year check n flush routine.

[RobWNY]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
This is one years use on West coast water.

Mine after one camping season looks way worse than that. Actually, up by the nut end, it's almost worn through. Maybe 1/4" diameter left. I think I'm going to check mine twice a year and make sure I have an extra on hand. I will admit that I didn't empty my hot water tank all season which would help.

[larry_barnhart]

RobWNY wrote:

pigman1 wrote:
I know you've already bought the rod and flush wand, but if you find the flush wand doesn't work as good as you think it should, you can do it yourself for less than $10. A one foot long piece of 1/4" soft copper tubing and a handful of pieces to get from that tube to a female garden hose piece and you're there. Bend a small right angle bend in the open end. Any hardware store will have the parts you need. I store my handmade flusher right in the water heater compartment so I always know where it is. That's also where I keep my extra anode.

I didn't think about making my own. Good points pigman1. If I'm not happy with the results with the one I purchased, I will be getting some copper tubing. I might even have some laying around someplace.

I have made several as you describe and gave them to friends but like the plastic one better.

chevman

[MFL]

That W/C water must be good, if that is a magnesium rod. Many will be near replacement after a year. I can't get two seasons out of mine, so just replace yearly at start of season, and not worry about it.

Jerry

[Cummins12V98]

This is one years use on West coast water.

[RobWNY]

pigman1 wrote:
I know you've already bought the rod and flush wand, but if you find the flush wand doesn't work as good as you think it should, you can do it yourself for less than $10. A one foot long piece of 1/4" soft copper tubing and a handful of pieces to get from that tube to a female garden hose piece and you're there. Bend a small right angle bend in the open end. Any hardware store will have the parts you need. I store my handmade flusher right in the water heater compartment so I always know where it is. That's also where I keep my extra anode.

I didn't think about making my own. Good points pigman1. If I'm not happy with the results with the one I purchased, I will be getting some copper tubing. I might even have some laying around someplace.

[pigman1]

I know you've already bought the rod and flush wand, but if you find the flush wand doesn't work as good as you think it should, you can do it yourself for less than $10. A one foot long piece of 1/4" soft copper tubing and a handful of pieces to get from that tube to a female garden hose piece and you're there. Bend a small right angle bend in the open end. Any hardware store will have the parts you need. I store my handmade flusher right in the water heater compartment so I always know where it is. That's also where I keep my extra anode.

[RobWNY]

Thank you Lynnmor, wildtoad and Old-Biscuit. Since I already ordered the wand I'll use it, but I'll also do the Power Flush.

[Old-Biscuit]

Want to really flush out that crud......forget that wand.
Have to stick it thru hole to use and that partially blocks the drain hole
Wand is OK to rinse inside of tank walls cause you can point it up and sideways.

Power flush it....
With anode rod out stand back and turn water supply ON and let it blast out the drain hole
Inlet diffuser points downward so the water pressure will stir up the crud on bottom of tank and force it out the drain


Suburban OEM anode rod is magnesium because it does provide good protection and will dissolve quicker.
But it can interact with microbes in the water source and stink.....sulfur smell

Aluminum is an optional anode rod but does not dissolve as quickly hence not as good protection and can be harder to remove due to calcium build up on the aluminum....can even result in 'gel' like substance
Aluminum hydroxide=====result of the minerals in the water reacting with the aluminum anode rod
The gel is not harmful..water soluble just drain/flush more frequently

[wildtoad]

FYI Suburban advises to empty the wh when not in use. Should prolong the life of the anode rod.

[Lynnmor]

RobWNY wrote:
Ok. I ordered a Magnesium anose rod and the water heater flush thing from Amazon. Thanks for your help Donn0128 and wa8yxm!

You bought the right things. Magnesium will offer better protection, but shorter life. The length of time an anode rod will last depends on water usage and the water quality. Expect life of months to years.