For those who don’t know, water corrodes a lot of types of metals. This is a fact of nature. However, with the invention of the water heater, there is a bit of cleverness that comes with it. If you present a rod that can be corroded easily, the water will react with that and will leave the steel alone.
This is the main purpose of the anode rod of your water heater. It is a metal rod used in a water heater storage tank. If you do not have an anode rod, your water heater will rust out quickly.
If you want to avoid costly water heater repair in Indianapolis, here are several reasons why you have to regularly check the anode rod of your water heater:
Examining and Replacing the Anode Rod
The anode rod’s lifespan greatly depends on whether you’ve got hard or soft water. Typically, soft water tends to rust metal easily. Because of this, your rod will probably dissolve within a year.
You need to examine your water heater’s anode rod every year. You might be able to do this yourself if you’ve got a water heater model with a rod that is easily accessible. But, perhaps it is ideal to hire a professional water heater repair technician if you aren’t able to locate the anode rod or you aren’t sure about your model. This will help avoid accidents and damages.
It is time to replace the rod if it has deteriorated to the point where big parts of the wire are showing the core.
Aluminum and Magnesium
You can buy anode rods at almost every home improvement shop. You can also contact your plumber to buy one from him. Usually, the price of an anode rod runs around $10-$60. The material the rods are made from is one of the biggest differences you will see among them. Aluminum and magnesium are the most common materials. Here are their benefits and drawbacks:
- Aluminum
Oftentimes, it is combined with zinc in anode rods. These rods have a tendency to be cheaper and last longer. However, they do not offer the same level of protection. Aluminum rods can actually neutralize odors in water, unlike magnesium. Several homeowners are worried about aluminum levels in their drinking water. However, people usually do not drink water from the water tank.
- Magnesium
This provides better protection overall. However, it has a tendency to have a shorter life. Aside from that, it is not cheap. Magnesium can occasionally poorly react with particular water chemistry to generate a sulfur-like odor.
Since anode rod dissolves, where do the dissolved metals go? Well, most of the dissolved metals will end up at the bottom of the water heater tank as sediment. This can affect the performance of your water heater if you allow it to accumulate for too long. To avoid this type of problem, you will have to contact a professional water heater repair technician to perform a water heater flushing service regularly. Once a year is enough.
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