How an Anode Rod Protects a Water Heater

Refrigerators, ovens, TVs, computers—there are a lot of appliances in a modern home. Many homeowners would agree that the water heater is probably among the most important ones. Whether it’s a warm shower in the winter or simply washing the dishes by hand, a water heater provides you with the hot water you need.

If a home is equipped with a storage-tank water heater, there is a key component that many homeowners depend on but may not be aware of – the anode rod. Let’s see how the anode rod works and how it protects a home’s water heater.

What is the anode rod?

The anode rod is a magnesium rod located in the water heater tank. Magnesium breaks down more easily and quicker than steel (which water tanks are made of). As it breaks down, the anode rod corrodes, absorbing the rust found inside the tank so that the tank itself doesn’t rust. This way, the anode rod protects the water heater tank and prolongs its life.

A glass coating is used to line the inside of the tank to assist the anode rod in its job. It prevents the water from coming in direct contact with the metal part of the tank. Without an anode rod, however, this coating wouldn’t last long.

Anode rod materials

Although anode rods are typically made out of magnesium, aluminum and zinc are also used. Each of the three materials brings certain benefits to the table. Magnesium is a great fit for homes with soft water. Hard water takes a toll on magnesium rods. Aluminum anode rods are made for hard-water homes where the water has a high PH. Finally, zinc rods are installed if there’s a heightened presence of sulfur. However, special care should be taken if there’s a sulfur problem in a home, though.

Anode rod life expectancy

Unfortunately, the life expectancy of an anode rod depends on various factors. Whether the water in a home is hard or soft plays a significant role. Then there’s the age of the water heater, the overall water quality, etc.

As a rule of thumb, having an expert perform a check every two years is the right way to go. An anode rod lasts about five years, but if the water environment inside the heater isn’t ideal, the rod may end up dissolving, which makes the glass coating and the tank itself the next target. When the tank begins to rust, then the tank becomes the problem.

The importance of anode rods

You may not have heard about them before, but anode rods are the unsung heroes of a home. They extend the life expectancy of a water heater and, if checked on frequently and replaced in a timely manner, they can help a heater last for decades.

Frontier Plumbing of Las Vegas is a full-service commercial and residential plumbing company offering a full spectrum of plumbing services. We are determined to exceed your expectations! Call 702-602-6705 today!