Have you ever wondered what the “sacrificial anode rod” does in your water heater? If you have, then you’re not alone. This is an incredibly important part of your water heating technology, and many people haven’t even heard of it before! This can be a struggle, especially when you’re trying to budget for your water heater needs. We want to make your home comfort experience easier, and it might help by discussing one of the most important pieces of your technology.
Down below we’ll get into all the questions you might have about water heaters in Kerrville, TX, and specifically about the anode rod component. We want to make sure you leave this blog post feeling confident enough about your water heating technology, so you can call us with any concerns. Our team is ready and available to help you with your water heating needs.
“Why Does My System Have an Anode Rod?”
The anode rod of a tank water heater is designed to corrode before the rest of the system does. It’s usually formed of magnesium or aluminum which are materials that easily attract corrosion. It will sit in your water tank and slowly degrade over time, but at a faster rate than the other components of your water heater.
Think of this component as a decoy, attracting the forces of rust and corrosion so that they don’t affect the lining of your water heater or some of the other components. Through the process of electrolysis, an anode rod will actually attract the specific types of ions that cause corrosion. That’s why we call it the “sacrificial” anode rod, it’s used as a sacrifice to protect the rest of your tank.
Don’t just let this be a reason to ignore your anode rod! Eventually, it will need to be replaced. During maintenance appointments, our technicians will check the anode rod and make sure that it’s still in good shape. Otherwise, we’ll recommend replacing it.
“So, It’s Fine If There’s Corrosion in My Water Heater?”
Not exactly. There should only be corrosion on your anode rod. If you notice other areas of your water heater that are starting to corrode or rust, then you need to call for professional support. This can happen, depending on the acidity of your water, the materials of the water heater, and the age of the system itself. Eventually, all tank water heaters will succumb to rust and corrosion, the anode rod is just meant to prolong this time period so you can have efficient hot water.
“How Do I Know If the Anode Rod Needs Replacement?”
That’s a very good question! You’re not going to be able to tell easily if your anode rod needs replacement. Also, we don’t recommend homeowners try checking their anode rod themselves, because this can lead to some water leaks and other hazards. You might even burn yourself.
Schedule a maintenance appointment with our team. We’ll check the condition of your anode rod, as well as the rest of your system, and give you our recommendations.
For all of your water heater needs, contact D’Spain Sales & Service.
