Replacing anode rod in water heater

[branimal]

I attempted to inspect the anode rod on my water heater today. I pulled the plastic plug out and started picking away at the foam. I couldn't find the hex head screw I've read should be there on most water heaters. I stuck in a pair of long needle nose plyers 6" deep and felt no resistance.

Anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

It's an American Water Heater.

The manual says "Remove and inspect the anode rod. Replace the anode rod if it is depleted." - Not very helpful.


"

 

[FishScreener]

If you have the manual, there should be a diagram near the back. It sounds like you have removed the plascap the is in the hole where they shoot in the foam insulation, and aren’t looking in the right place.

Can you post a picture?

 

[branimal]

Here’s the diagram with C being the anode slot and that’s where I poked my pliers in.

 

[branimal]

Diagram

 

[CT18]

I have never seen a anode rod that close to the side of the tank. Is there another opening on top of your tank

 

[branimal]

I have never seen a anode rod that close to the side of the tank. Is there another opening on top of your tank

My fault it was covered under some debris.

 

[Tnkrst]

I wouldn’t remove it if it was mine. Just from the look of it. How old is the tank?

 

[branimal]

From 2012.

 

[branimal]

Why wouldn’t you Remove it?

 

[voletl]

Because 7 years old the water has already ate the original rod and is now eating your tank if you don't periodically check on the original anode rod or replace it every two years or so there's no point in to replacing it now your tank is already deteriorated there's nothing you can do to stop it

 

[branimal]

Because 7 years old the water has already ate the original rod and is now eating your tank if you don't periodically check on the original anode rod or replace it every two years or so there's no point in to replacing it now your tank is already deteriorated there's nothing you can do to stop it

Yikes. I recently bought this house. I’m sure the prior owner didn’t replace the rod.

So a new rod would not slow down the deterioration of the tank?

 

[voletl]

If the water has attacked the tank then the new rod will do nothing

 

[frodo]

pg 24

http://www.americanwaterheater.com/media/7189/317994-002.pdf

 

[Diehard]

So it appears questionable as to whether the OP's unit is the same model/design.

OP's manual said, "Remove and inspect the anode rod. Replace the anode rod if it is depleted."

OP's unit was said to have been installed 2012, while the Manual provided by frodo included a"Copyright © 2010", on the back.

On the other hand, I would think that powered anode would be obvious.

 

[branimal]

sadly I don't have a powered anode rod. see my pics above.

Well there is an off chance that the owner at some point replaced that rod. Curiosity makes me want to take a look.

 

[voletl]

Go for it dosent hurt to look

 

[SHEPLMBR]

sometimes, depending on the manufacturer the anode rod is built into the nipple on top.

 

[TomFOhio]

Sometimes those anode rods can be very hard to get out. I've seen guys move the whole water heater and cause leaks
trying to get it out. Its best to have another person hold the tank. Looking at your tank yours is not a powered rod, just
a regular one.

 

[Mikey]

I've seen guys use impact wrenches (bad idea), torque-amplifying wrenches (best idea, also priciest), and 6' breaker bars (easy way to spin the water heater and break off the plumbing connections) trying to loosen anode rods. I manufactured a 6' breaker bar with the socket in the middle, which worked pretty well to get the old rod loose, and found I had to drill a hole in the ceiling to get enough room above the tank to push the old rod up into, and (more importantly) push the new rod into. In your situation, I'd probably buy a new WH with a powered anode rod already installed (best), or buy the anode rod separately (see http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/Longevity/anode-buying-guide-intro.html) and install it before installing the water heater.

 

[branimal]

Thanks for the advice guys. I've accepted that the water heater is on borrowed time. Is it worth draining the WH as part of the normal service schedule?

@Mikey - Why are impact wrenches bad in this scenario? I wasn't planning on using one but just curious. Also could you have cut your rod as you were pulling it out? And then inserted a flexible rod:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-P...ctric-and-Gas-Water-Heaters-SP8371B/205652259