Water Heater Anode Rods

Replacing your anode rod may increase the life of your water heater, saving you money, time and the inconvenience of having to replace your water heater. Let PlumbingSupply.com supply you with a replacement anode rod today.

One of the most critical factors in how long a water heater will last is the condition of the water heater sacrificial anode rod.

new water heater anode rods one year old anode rod

Compare the new water heater anode rod on the left (what we sell) to a one year old anode-rod. If an anode rod looks any more deformed than the picture on the right, we suggest that you replace that anode rod with a new one.

The used anode rod shown on the right is in a condition where it will probably need to be replaced soon. Waiting a long time is not a good idea. The possibility of the old water heater anode rod becoming broken off, and then falling to the bottom of the water heater (and then bouncing around whenever water travels inside the water heater) is what will deteriorate the water heater tank lining very quickly. This will cause cracks in the glass lining of the water heater radically shortening the life of the water heater. Having a depleted anode rod and not replacing your water heater anode rods in a timely fashion WILL shorten the life span of your water heater.

Please note that the condition of your water and the quality of the water heater lining are two other factors that affect the life span of your water heater.

Anode rods that come installed with water heaters generally will be made of magnesium or aluminum that is wrapped around a steel core wire.

Water heater anode rods are generally screwed into the top of the tank.

Because the rod is made with a higher current potential than other metals in the water heater, it will ensure that the galvanic current flows from the rod to other exposed metals, preventing their corrosion. In other words, the anode rod corrodes and not the tank or the element. The anode rod is "self-sacrificing."

When there's no sacrificial metal left on the anode, the tank can rust out.

Anode rods generally last about five years but it really depends mostly on the quality of your water and how much water travels through your water heater.

When sodium is added to the water (such as when a water softener is used), anode rods can corrode more quickly. Water softeners can help reduce sediment, but anodes can corrode in as little as six months if the water is over-softened.

Anode Rods For Water Heaters with 3/4"NPT Openings these rods can be cut for short water heaters Note: .625"o.d. = 5/8"o.d.
Material	Size Dimensions are approximate	Price & Quantity each	Price & Quantity for 10 units
Aluminum	.625"o.d. x 42"	$23.96	$206.40
Flexible Aluminum *	5/8"o.d. x 42"	$24.92	$215.30
Magnesium 3/4"o.d. x 39"	3/4"o.d. x 39"	$41.68	$375.10
Aluminum/Zinc/Tin **	3/4"o.d. x 39"	$49.69	$447.20
Aluminum/Zinc/Tin (Hot Water Outlet) ** Includes Heat Trap Nipple - 3/4" MPT x 3/4" MPT	.84"o.d. x 42.5"	$59.92	$539.30
Aluminum (Hot Water Outlet) *** Includes Di-Electric Nipple - 3/4" MPT x 3/4" MPT	5/8"o.d. x 39"	$34.94	$305.50
* Flexible (sectional) anode rod for easy installation in tight areas like closets, attics and under houses. Contains a 1/8" low carbon steel center core. This combo rod is designed to fight some foul water odors that can occur in water heater systems that use aluminum or magnesium anode rods. Please read our FAQ for more information regarding water odor. * May not fit all water heaters. The heat trap nipple allows the anode rod to be installed in the hot water outlet while allowing the water to still flow from the outlet. Some hot water outlets have build up on the opening that may interfere with this rod slipping into the water heater. For small under counter water heater anode rods, click here

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Water Heater Care Tips:
At least every three months (more frequently if poor water quality) drain some water from the W.H.
You can do this by following these simple steps:

If electric water heater = shut-off the electricity
If gas, turn down the gas valve to off
Shut-off the cold water intake to the heater
Open a Hot water faucet on any level above the water heater
Open the bottom drain valve at the bottom of your water heater
Drain enough water so that the water will run clear
Shut the water faucet that you opened
Open the cold water intake valve
Run all the faucets in the house till no more air is sputtering out for at least 10 seconds
Turn electricity/gas back on

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. "I have a sulfur odor smell coming from the hot water side of my faucets. A friend of mine told me that it might be caused by my water heater anode rod. Is that true and if so, if I remove the anode rod will the odors go away?"
A. In many cases the odor is hydrogen sulfide gas. The source is sulfate reducing bacteria which is present in many water systems. That bacteria in most cases is harmless but thrives in the hot water environment. Water temperatures of about 140°F - 170°F makes for a rich growth medium. This type of anaerobic bacteria feeds off the hydrogen gas produced by magnesium anode rods. Periodic flushing of the tank with bleach solution will reduce the problem. Because there are so many factors we can not guarantee that the odor will be eliminated, but if you have no odor on the cold side of a faucet and only the warm side generally (not 100%) replacing a magnesium anode rod with one of ours will solve the problem. Some water heater manufacturers' claim that softened water causes the problems. We have a hard time believing that. Removal of the bacteria will also solve the odor problem. Sanitizing the water heater (with safe levels of bleach, etc), will eliminate the odor but only for a variable (relatively short) length of time. A trace amount of H2S gas in the water is another cause of hot water odor but removal of the anode rod will not cure that odor problem. It is best to always have an anode rod in your glass-lined steel water heater tank.

Q. "You say these anode rods can be cut to fit my tank. What is the best way to cut an anode rod?"
A. Anode rods should be only a few inches shorter than your water heater. If the anode rod is too long, they can be cut down using a hacksaw.

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