You rely on your home’s water heater to provide a steady flow of hot water for baths, washing dishes, and doing laundry. Yet, despite how essential this appliance is, most homeowners don’t know how to make sure its components, like the anode rod, are working correctly. Learn a little more about this integral part so you can identify any issues and seek water heater repair before they get out of hand.

A Guide to Anode Rods

An anode rod is a piece of metal usually made from magnesium, zinc, or aluminum, with a steel core. This part of your water heater is designed to sit inside the tank and attract to the corrosive elements in the water.

Through the process of electrolysis, these harmful elements attack the rod before they can damage the inside of your water tank. Magnesium rods tend to outperform aluminum rods, but they also have shorter lifespans, requiring you to replace them more frequently.  

Signs the Rod is Deteriorating 

If your water heater begins to leak, it could mean that your anode rod has deteriorated, and the tank has corroded.

The only way to check for a bad rod is to pull it out of the water heater and inspect it thoroughly. Your rod should look slightly chewed up, but you shouldn’t be able to see the steel at the center. If you can see the steel wiring beneath the surface metals, it’s time to replace your rod. Waiting for a replacement could put your system at risk, so have a water heater repair technician to install a new one as soon as possible.

What Affects its Lifespan

Most anode rods will last three to five years, depending on how much water flows through the tank and what kind of water you have. Hard water tends to corrode faster than soft water. However, If your softening system uses a lot of salt, you may need to replace the rod every six months.

If you don’t rely on a water softener, check your rod every three years to ensure that there is still metal available for the corrosive elements to react with. Don’t wait too long to replace, otherwise, you’ll be looking at a cost water heater repair.

For help replacing your water heater’s anode rod, turn to the team at Murphy’s Plumbing in Mebane, NC. Not only can these contractors perform water heater repairs, but they can also install new plumbing, repair fixtures, and clean out your pipes. Regardless of the size of the job, these experts can handle all of your plumbing needs. Schedule an appointment at (919) 563-5165 or find more helpful tips and tricks on their website.