Water tank anode rod

[Atlantis]

Hello there,

I purchased a pre-owned 2013 Quailridge park model trailer. Seem the water tank anode rod is corroded never been replaced. Where can I buy the replacement part in Canada and what type of tool I need to remove it. Thanks a lot in advance. Laszlo

[CHICKDOE]

probably any rv parts store or even the rv section of walmart or a large hardware store will have one. numerous on-line sellers.

i believe it is a 1 1/16" socket that is used to remove the rod from the heater. put teflon tape on the threads of the new one when you put it in.

get the model number of your heater and go on-line to get the replacement part number. they are pretty generic but there are a few different types.

[Scrapper]

I believe the water heaters in the Quailridge park models is a 20 gallon electric only. The wrench size could be a 1-1/16" as that size seems to be standard but the length of the anode may be longer.

By the way, those sizes of park models are not considered a trailer, more like a pre-fab home. They have 2x4 wall studs, 2x6 floor joists, Scissor Rafters 16" On Center, better insulation, bigger furnaces, air conditioners and 50 amp service only. They weigh more than any 1 ton truck can handle.

[Chuck_S]

Any plumbing supply store will have an appropriate anode, just take the old one so they can determine the length.

Get magnesium, not aluminum.

-- Chuck

[rockfordroo]

Simply corroded isn't a problem; it's doing it's job. If it's mostly gone, then you need a new one.

[Riverbc]

Originally Posted by Atlantis

Hello there,



I purchased a pre-owned 2013 Quailridge park model trailer. Seem the water tank anode rod is corroded never been replaced. Where can I buy the replacement part in Canada and what type of tool I need to remove it. Thanks a lot in advance. Laszlo

Canadian Tire is where I bought mine.

[Atlantis]

Thanks again for your advice. I purchased the anode rod from Canadian tire. Can I wait until spring to install it? I have 2 outside drain plug (hot and cold water) and I drained the water. Is it possible that I have some left in the hot water tank?

[kenandterry]

As long as you drained the water heater, you should be good. When it comes to water freezing because of cold temperatures, you just want to make sure it can expand, and not burst anything. A small puddle of water on the floor of the water heater is not a concern.....it has lots of space to expand.

You simply don’t want water trapped anywhere in your water lines or drain traps.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Atlantis

Thanks again for your advice. I purchased the anode rod from Canadian tire. Can I wait until spring to install it? I have 2 outside drain plug (hot and cold water) and I drained the water. Is it possible that I have some left in the hot water tank?

Unless you remove the anode rod, draining the system at the low point drains does not completely empty the water heater.

Also from many posts here, many of us have come to the conclusion that draining the water heater through the low point drains has a tendency to suck debris/deposits (calcium, lime, etc.) into the plumbing system where it is then distributed throughout the system on re-pressurization. Often times those deposits seem to end up in the toilet valve screen.

It's best to bypass the water heater FIRST, drain the rest of the system via the low point drains and the water heater by removing the anode rod or the plug. (model dependent) Removing the anode rod also allows for flushing the afore mentioned gunk from the water heater.

[Chuck_S]

Sure there's some water left in the tank. Unless you wipe it out with rags and Q-tips. No worries, it can freeze harmlessly as there's plenty of room for any ice to expand. Water in open trays freezes daily in your refrigerator at home without problems. Same thing.

Unless you replace the anode the iron or steel bung in the tank will rust over the winter and make installing the anode difficult. Sometimes needing to have the bung rethreaded. Put the new one in. Probably a dozen threads running on this today.

-- Chuck

[Riverbc]

I’d put the anode rod in. That’ll stop the threads from rusting and prevent bugs and such from crawling in.