The Anode Rod - Your Water Heater's Bodyguard

Unless you're a plumber you might not know what an anode rod is. You might have heard that it has something to do with your water heater, but that could be it. In this video, we’re going to answer that question. We’ll also go over some maintenance for your anode rod.

An anode rod is a sacrificial metal rod that sits inside your water heater. It’s there to protect it from the minerals and other corrosive things in your water. These minerals can damage the metal tank of your water heater over time. Your anode rod attracts those minerals and breaks down instead of the tank.

Without the anode rod, or if your anode rod gets eaten away too much, the minerals will go back to attacking the tank. That makes it important to check your anode rod to see if you need to replace it. If minerals have eaten away 6 inches from either end, many manufacturers say that it’s time to do so.