An aluminum water heater anode rod is placed into a water heater to prevent corrosion. In the same way that ships use sacrificial rods to protect the metal of the hull, an anode rod attracts the corrosion and keep the rust and corroding elements away from the water tank itself. While there are a few advantages of anode rods, you should be aware of the disadvantages too.
How the Anode Rod Works
Anode rods can be made of aluminum or magnesium. They work by electrolysis which deteriorates the rod instead of the metal of the tank. If the rod itself is completely deteriorated, then the tank will begin to corrode. For many homeowners, this is the first sign that they have a problem since these rods are not always situated in a way that makes it easy to check on their condition. There are some situated on the top of the water heater. To find and evaluate this type look for a plug with a fitting that is screwed into the top of the tank. The anode rod is suspended from that fitting into the tank.
Anode Rod Inspection
Manufacturers tell customers to check the anode rod on every 2 to 4 years. The problem is that it takes a certain amount of work to replace one even if you know it is bad. Sometimes it is less expensive to replace the entire tank rather than the rod because of the labor cost involved. This is especially true if the rod is difficult to remove because of its fitting or a buildup on the rod.
Tank Protection
The other problem is that an aluminum anode rod does not protect the tank completely. Occasionally a plumber sees a tank that is rusted through that still has much of the anode rod intact. There are several possible reasons for this. One is that if a house has a water softener, then it can hasten the corrosion of the anode rod.
Magnesium vs. Aluminum Rods
Many plumbers prefer magnesium anodes because they produce a stronger current making them more effective at keeping the water tank from corroding. Aluminum rods collect a buildup of corrosive materials that harden and make taking them out for inspection or replacement a challenge. Magnesium may react with bacteria causing a sulfurous smell. Aluminum rods don’t have this problem as often.
Aluminum in the Water
Some plumbers say that aluminum anode rods are not safe because they put aluminum in your water supply. There are some clinical studies that suggest that aluminum might be a contributing factor in Alzheimer’s disease. It should be noted that most of these studies focused on the aluminum added by water treatment plants.
Alternatives to an Aluminum Anode Rod
An anode rod made of a mixture of aluminum and zinc appears to prevent odors since the zinc changes the chemical composition of the water. Another alternative is an electrical anode rod. This kind of anode rod produces an electrical charge in the water instead of having a chemical reaction.
Some plumbers say that aluminum anode rods are not safe because they put aluminum in your water supply. There are some clinical studies that suggest that aluminum might be a contributing factor in Alzheimer’s disease. It should be noted that most of these studies focused on the aluminum added by water treatment plants.
What material is best for anode rod?
Magnesium is a leading anode material given its ability to best protect the steel tank. It “gives up” electrons more freely than aluminum. In some situations where water is more conductive, i.e. softened water or lower pH levels, this sacrificial process is accelerated; in those cases, aluminum is a better choice.
What is better magnesium or aluminum anode?
For harder water an aluminum anode rod is the best choice for your heater and if you live in an area with soft water then a magnesium anode rod is your best choice. Aluminum anodes tend to be cheaper than magnesium anode rods. A magnesium rod will generally last less than an aluminum rod.
How long does an aluminum anode rod last?
Anode rods generally can last about three to five years but it really depends mostly on the quality of your water and how much water travels through your water heater.
What does an aluminum anode rod do?
The purpose of an anode rod is to attract the sediment and corrosive elements (like minerals in the water) so that they corrode the anode rod rather than the inside of your water heater tank. In essence, an anode rod works to protect your water heater from corrosive elements that can damage your water heater.
Are aluminum anodes better than zinc?
These “mil spec” aluminum anodes are more electrically active and protect better than zinc, plus they last longer! Aluminum anodes also use a much less toxic activator – which makes them better for the environment. To top it off, aluminum anodes are really the only choice that will work in both brackish AND salt water.
When should I use an anode aluminum rod?
It is intended to slow down the corrosion. Most of the heaters come with anode rod as a standard option because of this mechanism. The best part of using the aluminum anode rod is for places where there are a lot of sulfates present in the water.
How long will water heater last without anode rod?
When there’s no sacrificial metal left on the anode rod, your water heater tank can rust out, eventually causing it to burst. Anode rods generally can last about three to five years but it really depends mostly on the quality of your water and how much water travels through your water heater.
Can anode rod causing rotten egg smell?
The most common cause of smelly water is anaerobic bacteria that exist in some water and react with the magnesium and aluminum sacrificial anodes that come with most water heaters to produce hydrogen sulfide gas, making the classic rotten egg odor.
Is it worth replacing anode rod in water heater?
When the rod itself becomes so corroded that it can no longer do its job, the tank soon rusts out, leaks and needs replacement. However, if you replace your water heater anode rod before it fails, about every five years, you can double the life of your water heater.
How often should you change anode rod in water heater?
Most water heater manufacturers will recommend inspecting the condition of the sacrificial anode every one (1) to three (3) years and replacing it when it has been consumed more than 50%. This is especially true if you have hard water or use a water softener.
Are powered anode rods worth it?
Overall, there are quite a few advantages to using powered anode rods. They don’t degrade, prevent smelly water (by killing anaerobic bacteria that leads to that rotten egg smell), and protect your hot water heater from corrosive elements in the water. Probably the best powered anode rod today is made by Corro-Protec.
What happens when anode rod goes bad?
A bad anode rod can cause discolored water, a rotten egg smell, air in the lines and intermittent hot water. The anode rod protects the tank of electric water heaters & signs it should be replaced are a rotten egg smell, no heat & strange sounds.
Do all hot water tanks have anode rod?
Anode rods are an essential component of tank-style water heaters. Most anode rods are sacrificial, meaning they are designed to corrode (instead of your water heater lining). Tankless water heaters don’t have anode rods, but all standard tank-style water heaters do.
Can anode rods be cleaned?
You cannot clean your anode rod in your water heater. However, it is important to inspect the sacrificial anode rod every 1 to 3 years and replace it after more than 50% of its wear and tear to avoid corrosion of your tank.
Before we get into the water heater anode rod aluminum vs magnesium argument it’s important to take a look at what an anode rod does in your water heater.
Water Heater Anode Rod Guide
Note: tankless water heaters do not contain an anode rod however, standard tank-style water heaters do.
An anode rod helps prevent corrosion of a water tank and its elements and is often referred to as the “sacrificial anode” by experts.
Tank style water heaters come under a lot of pressure from the acidity of the water and heat produced in the tank which both speed up the process of corrosion in a water tank. An anode rod will corrode before the other elements and components of a water heater. When it does it delivers electrons into the tank which help to prevent your water heater from rusting. This method is known as electrolysis. In simple terms when you have the two pieces of metal in water, the anode and the steel water heater, the anode will corrode instead of the water heater. This occurs because the less reactive (more noble) metal (the anode rod) corrodes more than the more reactive (less noble) metal (the steel water heater).
Common less noble than steel metals used for anode rods include: Aluminum, magnesium and zinc.
As the anode rod sacrifices itself it means that your water heater will outlive it and as such your anode rod will need replacing. Typically this means replacing the rod every 3-5 years however the speed of corrosion depends on a number of different variables which may speed up or slow down the level of corrosion on your anode rod.
Water Heater Anode Rod Aluminum vs Magnesium – Which is better?
Note: We do not compare zinc anode rods here as they are actually just aluminum rods with a small portion of zinc. A zinc anode rod however is useful for combating rotten egg smell (sulfur) that may come from the water. If you experience a rotten egg smell then an upgrade to a zinc anode rod may be a good idea.
choosing the right anode rod mainly comes down to the level of hardness in your water. For harder water an aluminum anode rod is the best choice for your heater and if you live in an area with soft water then a magnesium anode rod is your best choice. Aluminum anodes tend to be cheaper than magnesium anode rods. A magnesium rod will generally last less than an aluminum rod.
One issue with aluminium rods is that the corrosive material that is formed on the anode tends to harden and sink to the bottom of the water tank. This can potentially find its way into your taps and cause issues down the line.
Our overall decision in the water heater anode rod aluminum vs magnesium argument is that magnesium anode rods are the better choice when deciding which anode to buy for your water heater.
Everything you Need to Know About a Water Heater Anode Rod
What is a Water Heater Anode Rod
An anode rod is a temporary steel core wire with magnesium, aluminum, or zinc around it. It is intended to exist for a short period of time and must be replaced. In the circumstance that you already have an anode rod, it’s essential to vacuum it out to prevent further complications. An anode rod exists to protect the metal lining inside of your water heater tank to prevent explosion or corrosion over time.
What Metals Are Used in Anode Rods?
- Anode rods are generally created from metals including magnesium, aluminum or zinc.
- Magnesium anode rods are expected to work better in a home with soft water.
- Aluminum anodes are appropriate for homes with hard water and a high PH.
- Zinc anodes work best if a home is starting to smell like rotten eggs and is best for replacing water heaters that already dissolved.
How Often Does an Anode Rod Need to be Checked?
First things first, an anode rod life expectancy is dependent on a plethora of factors, such as whether you have hard or soft water, but generally, you should call Nebrasky every two-to-five years to check the status and determine when it’s time for a replacement before it dissolves.
Water heater anode rods are one of the most important appliances in a home. Failure to check and/or replace one can cause a major problem. Remember to replace your anode heater every few years to save money and prevent a water heater from bursting.
For any questions, call us today at 1-800-989-0299. As always, we’re here for you 24/7, 365 days a year for all your plumbing, heating and cooling needs!
Nebrasky Plumbing, Heating & Cooling handles all phases of plumbing, heating, cooling, home energy assessments, generators and more, including installation and repairs. We also conduct air quality and carbon monoxide tests throughout Orange County, N.Y., Dutchess County, N.Y., Rockland County, N.Y. and the entire Hudson Valley.
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