The Cost of the Electrode Tube in Your Water Heater

Compared to other major home appliances, water heaters get a lot more wear and tear than other essential appliances. They must be strong enough to withstand damage from being in the water all the time and wear from going from hot to cold.

Even though water heaters are reliable, they are expected if issues over time. Unexpectedly, worn-out anode rods can cause issues with water heaters. Continue reading if you want to learn more about how water heaters work and how to troubleshoot them. In this post, you will learn about the critical job done by the component known as the anode rod.

Cause corrosion

Both heat and water can weaken the structure of a water heater, but water is by far the more immediate problem. Since the inside walls of the water heater are often in contact with water for years, oxidation and corrosion are always a problem. The steel tank's walls undergo an oxidation process to lose their electrons.

Because of this, hydroxide ions are made, which is the first step in rust and corrosion. Once corrosion starts, its harmful effects quickly add up and start to "eat away" at the tank's walls. Without expert assistance, the walls will eventually deteriorate and develop severe ruptures.

Security

The anode rod is a part of every water heater and is designed to make the equipment more resistant to corrosion. The anode rod protects your tank from corrosion by attracting it to itself. It is occasionally referred to as the "sacrificial rod." The forces of corrosion will mainly neglect the tank walls as long as enough anode rods are left.

Once corrosion has eaten away all or almost all of the anode, problems start to happen. The anode rod will finally be reduced to its remaining steel shaft in the center. If you let this situation persist, rust will reopen its assault on your tank. A new anode rod needs to be fitted to halt this.

Information

You might be interested in learning more about an anode rod now that you know its fundamental purpose. What ultimately gives it more ability to attract rust than your tank's steel walls? The metals used to make anode rods hold the key to the answer.

Magnesium, aluminum, and zinc are the most common "sacrificial metals" used to make anode rods. Because their electrons are far less firmly linked than steel's, corrosive salts and acids can connect with these metals more readily. The chemical process that leads to corrosion will almost destroy the anode rod.

Restore

Most anode rods have enough metals that can be sacrificed to protect your tank for four to five years. The rod will have virtually vanished by that time. The exact time may depend on the chemical makeup of your water source and how often you use the tank.

Only a professional should take the anode rod out of the tank so it can be looked at. If homeowners try to do this maintenance job independently, they are very likely to get burned. Incorrect rod reinstallation could also cause other issues for your water heater.

Please contact the HVAC Installation and Repair Guide pros for a professional maintenance checkup if you can't recall the last time you had your anode rod inspected or replaced.