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The Value of an Anode Rod Inspection

If you were to purchase a gas or electric water heater today, you could expect it to last 10-12 years, on average. Then again, as rare as it might be, a water heater can last up to 50 years.  Just don’t bet on yours following suit.

While there are numerous factors that contribute to water heater longevity or the lack thereof, water quality is high on the list.  Take, for example, a home water supply that’s high in mineral content and without a water filtration system to correct the problem.

Mineral-rich water is also known as hard water, and hard water can cause all kinds of problems, including water heater internal corrosion.

That’s why water heaters come equipped with anode rods.  They are metal rods you can see sticking out the top of the storage tank.

Sacrificial anode rods (as they’re often called) have a single mission:  to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the water heater by attracting water mineral deposits.  The logic is simple:  it costs a lot less to replace a simple rod than an entire water heater.

Our advice?  Have your anode rod replaced every 3-5 years, even if there are no external signs of hard water.  On the other hand, should you notice any of the following conditions, have your anode rod inspected more frequently and inquire about a water filtration system:

• Rust-colored water
• Leak from the storage tank
• Metallic taste in your water
• Decreasing water temperatures

Bottom line, the anode rod you replace today might just spare you the expense of a replacement water heater tomorrow…and for many years to come.  Contact Messmer Mechanical today for more information or to schedule a water heater inspection.