Finally pulled anode from water heater

[BillMFl]

Was surprised to see it was totally gone in just two years of light use. Lots of white scale particles.

[Herk7769]

That is why in needs inspection every year.
The longevity all depends on the water quality.
Water with high levels of iron or sulphates will accelerate deterioration.

[Lloydg]

That's why it's necessary to pull it every year and inspect it. For us snowbirds in areas where you need to winterize, it's no big deal because the anode has to be pulled so the tank can be drained. In warmer areas I suspect that the anode is going to wear out faster because it's in contact with water year around whereas in the colder climates there are several months that the tank is drained and the anode is not subject to wear.

[intercept]

Make sure you flush the tank out. Even when we winterize it each year with only 6 months of use you get a hugh amount of white scale from the tank. CW has a small diameter short hose to stick into the drain hole to flush it out. It works well.

[alparmer]

Ours was pretty nasty and we just got our coach a few months back.

[Lloydg]

Originally Posted by alparmmer

Ours was pretty nasty and we just got our coach a few months back.

How nasty is nasty? The anode should look nasty, but it's supposed to and means it's working. Until it wears down to about the diameter of a pencil, you should be ok. As noted earlier, that's why it's important when you winterize or inspect the anode that you flush the tank to get rid of all the particles.

[bikendan]

we have really good water out here, so i didn't have to replace mine for 6 years.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by bikendan

we have really good water out here, so i didn't have to replace mine for 6 years.

I don't have one to replace.



One reason I run a water filter.....

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

I don't have one to replace.



One reason I run a water filter.....

Then you don't have a Suburban with an anode.
The filter will not stop an anode from disintegrating.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Then you don't have a Suburban with an anode.
The filter will not stop an anode from disintegrating.

Ya I know, but the filter kleeeens "stuff" out and that keeps my little alloy tank Kleeeeeen...

[MGOBlue]

I had the same problem. The anode on my WH is nearly gone after 2 seasons. What I learned is that it's very like due to "soft water". I usually fill my fresh water tank from home and it's softened water. The increase in sodium in the water gives the anode a life less than half of what it would be with "hard" water.

So where is the balance? You don't want water with high levels of calcium and magnesium clogging up the water system. Since the replacement anode is only about $15, I'm happy to just change it out every couple of years.
Also I have two filters in my water system and it's done nothing to save the anode from the sodium.

[Iggy]

I picked up two anodes for my 10 gallon suburban water heater.
Suburban Water Heater Anode Rod Magnesium 2 PK 232767 | eBay

Price is $28 and no tax and free shipping


Don't forget you need a 1 1/16" socket to remove them.

[J Autry]

We had a Sandpiper for 20 years....knew nothing about an anode in Suburban water heaters. The previous owner of our current unit had taken the anode out of this water heater before we bought it. Mostly gone, I (effortlessly) installed a new one. I'll be checking it's condition regularly now.

[B47]

Just a thought about anode rods - I realize that we are talking about anode rods installed in RV units here, but has anyone ever given any thought about the anode rod installed in their home water heater or inspecting/replacing it?

The anode rod installed in your home water heater serves the same purpose as the one installed in your RV water heater and therefore corrodes (sacrifices) in the same manner.

I would wager that some homeowners are not aware that their water heater contains an anode rod.

I learned really fast that home water heaters contain anode rods after coming home and finding the bottom of my old water heater laying on the floor and water gushing out.

I now have a tankless water heater so I don't have to replace an anode rod any longer.

[10x]

Originally Posted by B47

Just a thought about anode rods - I realize that we are talking about anode rods installed in RV units here, but has anyone ever given any thought about the anode rod installed in their home water heater or inspecting/replacing it?

The anode rod installed in your home water heater serves the same purpose as the one installed in your RV water heater and therefore corrodes (sacrifices) in the same manner.

I would wager that some homeowners are not aware that their water heater contains an anode rod.

I learned really fast that home water heaters contain anode rods after coming home and finding the bottom of my old water heater laying on the floor and water gushing out.

I now have a tankless water heater so I don't have to replace an anode rod any longer.

I change mine at home every 2 years

[Ford Idaho]

I looked at it late this summer while waiting for the paper work on the Lite to go thru.
Should be good for awhile.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by bikendan

we have really good water out here, so i didn't have to replace mine for 6 years.

Your city water comes from Lake Tahoe is that correct, Not any better anywhere. I use to live there and I bet yours would last 6 years..... WE aren't all that lucky.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by B47

Just a thought about anode rods - I realize that we are talking about anode rods installed in RV units here, but has anyone ever given any thought about the anode rod installed in their home water heater or inspecting/replacing it?

The anode rod installed in your home water heater serves the same purpose as the one installed in your RV water heater and therefore corrodes (sacrifices) in the same manner.

I would wager that some homeowners are not aware that their water heater contains an anode rod.

I learned really fast that home water heaters contain anode rods after coming home and finding the bottom of my old water heater laying on the floor and water gushing out.

I now have a tankless water heater so I don't have to replace an anode rod any longer.

I believe most home water heaters are glass lined and don't need the anodes. At least ours have all been glass lined.

[B47]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

I believe most home water heaters are glass lined and don't need the anodes. At least ours have all been glass lined.

I guess I had the cheap ones that weren't glass lined. I Googled the subject before I posted and what I found didn't specify glass or steel.

Anyway when we brought this house, I decided I didn't want a 40 gallon water bomb in my attic that could let go at anytime, so we got a tankless water heater that works great without an anode rood.

[intercept]

Please take the time to watch the video and read the text.
This should answer a lot of your questions and correct some misconceptions.

UPDATE! RV Water Heater Anode Rods - YouTube

Copy and past the link in your browser and hit enter.

Happy Camping