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Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
Does it make practical sense to preemptively replace anodes in working
water heaters in order to extend their lives? Is it better to just wait until leaking begins? Bill -- Private Profit; Public Poop! Avoid collateral windfall! |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
"Salmon Egg" wrote in message ... Does it make practical sense to preemptively replace anodes in working water heaters in order to extend their lives? Is it better to just wait until leaking begins? Bill -- if it's leaking, it's too late. at that time, it's garbage. it makes sense to look at the anodes and replace if they're 75% used up. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
On Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:29:18 -0700, Salmon Egg
wrote: Does it make practical sense to preemptively replace anodes in working water heaters in order to extend their lives? Is it better to just wait until leaking begins? Bill Changing it after it starts leaking is not going to help. Changing it before it is all used up can certainly extend the life. The trick is knowing when. The second trick is actually changing it. Can be a real job to break it loose without damaging anything, and you need a lot of clearance above to replace, although you can find chain type and/or segmented ones that work for low clearance. Some manufacturers are using a combination inlet/dip tube/anode that require disconnecting the supply piping to remove. HTH, Paul F. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
In article ,
Paul Franklin wrote: On Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:29:18 -0700, Salmon Egg wrote: Does it make practical sense to preemptively replace anodes in working water heaters in order to extend their lives? Is it better to just wait until leaking begins? Bill Changing it after it starts leaking is not going to help. Changing it before it is all used up can certainly extend the life. The trick is knowing when. The second trick is actually changing it. Can be a real job to break it loose without damaging anything, and you need a lot of clearance above to replace, although you can find chain type and/or segmented ones that work for low clearance. Some manufacturers are using a combination inlet/dip tube/anode that require disconnecting the supply piping to remove. In article , Paul Franklin wrote: Changing it after it starts leaking is not going to help. Changing it before it is all used up can certainly extend the life. The trick is knowing when. The second trick is actually changing it. Can be a real job to break it loose without damaging anything, and you need a lot of clearance above to replace, although you can find chain type and/or segmented ones that work for low clearance. Some manufacturers are using a combination inlet/dip tube/anode that require disconnecting the supply piping to remove. Thank you both for the quick reply. I had asked a plumber and he seemed to think that I should just wait until a leak develops. That is why I posted. While I do believe that a new anode could greatly extend life. As was mentioned removal could be difficult. I once tried to remove an anode from a used up heater. I was totally unsuccessful. I would be even less ready now even if the heater were not in a confined space. I have a sneaking suspicion, that the cost of a new heater will be relatively low compared to what it would take to get a plumber to inspect the anode. Is a job like that one that requires an impact wrench? Any thoughts on the economics? Bill -- Private Profit; Public Poop! Avoid collateral windfall! |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
"Salmon Egg" wrote in message ... In article , Paul Franklin wrote: On Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:29:18 -0700, Salmon Egg wrote: Does it make practical sense to preemptively replace anodes in working water heaters in order to extend their lives? Is it better to just wait until leaking begins? Bill Changing it after it starts leaking is not going to help. Changing it before it is all used up can certainly extend the life. The trick is knowing when. The second trick is actually changing it. Can be a real job to break it loose without damaging anything, and you need a lot of clearance above to replace, although you can find chain type and/or segmented ones that work for low clearance. Some manufacturers are using a combination inlet/dip tube/anode that require disconnecting the supply piping to remove. In article , Paul Franklin wrote: Changing it after it starts leaking is not going to help. Changing it before it is all used up can certainly extend the life. The trick is knowing when. The second trick is actually changing it. Can be a real job to break it loose without damaging anything, and you need a lot of clearance above to replace, although you can find chain type and/or segmented ones that work for low clearance. Some manufacturers are using a combination inlet/dip tube/anode that require disconnecting the supply piping to remove. Thank you both for the quick reply. I had asked a plumber and he seemed to think that I should just wait until a leak develops. That is why I posted. While I do believe that a new anode could greatly extend life. As was mentioned removal could be difficult. I once tried to remove an anode from a used up heater. I was totally unsuccessful. I would be even less ready now even if the heater were not in a confined space. I have a sneaking suspicion, that the cost of a new heater will be relatively low compared to what it would take to get a plumber to inspect the anode. Is a job like that one that requires an impact wrench? Any thoughts on the economics? Bill -- Private Profit; Public Poop! Avoid collateral windfall! Look at it this way. Which way is the plumber going to make more money? Changing the anode or changing the hot water heater? Wait, wait. I know the answer to this one. Cost of a new heater relatively low? You haven't bought, priced, or changed a water heater in a LONG time, right? Steve |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
"Salmon Egg" wrote in message While I do believe that a new anode could greatly extend life. As was mentioned removal could be difficult. I once tried to remove an anode from a used up heater. I was totally unsuccessful. I would be even less ready now even if the heater were not in a confined space. You'd really be PO'd to pull the anode rod, find it is only about half gone, but the water heater is now damaged from the removal and has to be replaced. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
Ed Pawlowski wrote:
"Salmon Egg" wrote in message While I do believe that a new anode could greatly extend life. As was mentioned removal could be difficult. I once tried to remove an anode from a used up heater. I was totally unsuccessful. I would be even less ready now even if the heater were not in a confined space. You'd really be PO'd to pull the anode rod, find it is only about half gone, but the water heater is now damaged from the removal and has to be replaced. How exactly is the water heater damaged? How many have you damaged doing this? |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
Bob F wrote:
Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Salmon Egg" wrote in message While I do believe that a new anode could greatly extend life. As was mentioned removal could be difficult. I once tried to remove an anode from a used up heater. I was totally unsuccessful. I would be even less ready now even if the heater were not in a confined space. You'd really be PO'd to pull the anode rod, find it is only about half gone, but the water heater is now damaged from the removal and has to be replaced. How exactly is the water heater damaged? How many have you damaged doing this? Note earlier posts on difficulty of getting old anode out. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
"LouB" wrote in message ... Bob F wrote: Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Salmon Egg" wrote in message While I do believe that a new anode could greatly extend life. As was mentioned removal could be difficult. I once tried to remove an anode from a used up heater. I was totally unsuccessful. I would be even less ready now even if the heater were not in a confined space. You'd really be PO'd to pull the anode rod, find it is only about half gone, but the water heater is now damaged from the removal and has to be replaced. How exactly is the water heater damaged? How many have you damaged doing this? Note earlier posts on difficulty of getting old anode out. Anyone that has ever pulled anything out of anything old and untouched has risked or done damage and has a surprise or two. Broken bolts, stripped thread, twisted connections valves that leak by, and on and on. Example: I helped my maintenance guys today. Last Thursday the were going to pull a basin pan out of a water cooling tower and replace it with the new one. Figured they would do one side in a day, the second side in less time. They are on day 5 and were fabricating more parts this morning. Side two will go easier since we know what parts will fall apart. I've been working around mechanical things for the past 50+ years. **** happens. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
"Ed Pawlowski" wrote in
: "LouB" wrote in message ... Bob F wrote: Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Salmon Egg" wrote in message While I do believe that a new anode could greatly extend life. As was mentioned removal could be difficult. I once tried to remove an anode from a used up heater. I was totally unsuccessful. I would be even less ready now even if the heater were not in a confined space. You'd really be PO'd to pull the anode rod, find it is only about half gone, but the water heater is now damaged from the removal and has to be replaced. How exactly is the water heater damaged? How many have you damaged doing this? Note earlier posts on difficulty of getting old anode out. Anyone that has ever pulled anything out of anything old and untouched has risked or done damage and has a surprise or two. Broken bolts, stripped thread, twisted connections valves that leak by, and on and on. Brings to mind EFI fuel pumps in northern vehicles (road salt). Pickup #1 - removal resulted in destruction of some other costly gizmo in there as well as connections/tubing. Pickup #2 - Above plus rim where it mounts therefore gas tank NFG. Both done by shops and not a vehicle hack. Example: I helped my maintenance guys today. Last Thursday the were going to pull a basin pan out of a water cooling tower and replace it with the new one. Figured they would do one side in a day, the second side in less time. They are on day 5 and were fabricating more parts this morning. Side two will go easier since we know what parts will fall apart. I've been working around mechanical things for the past 50+ years. **** happens. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
LouB wrote:
Bob F wrote: Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Salmon Egg" wrote in message While I do believe that a new anode could greatly extend life. As was mentioned removal could be difficult. I once tried to remove an anode from a used up heater. I was totally unsuccessful. I would be even less ready now even if the heater were not in a confined space. You'd really be PO'd to pull the anode rod, find it is only about half gone, but the water heater is now damaged from the removal and has to be replaced. How exactly is the water heater damaged? How many have you damaged doing this? Note earlier posts on difficulty of getting old anode out. The result seems to be anode not out. I saw nothing about damage that in any way would affect the functionality. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
"Ed Pawlowski" wrote in message ... "Salmon Egg" wrote in message While I do believe that a new anode could greatly extend life. As was mentioned removal could be difficult. I once tried to remove an anode from a used up heater. I was totally unsuccessful. I would be even less ready now even if the heater were not in a confined space. You'd really be PO'd to pull the anode rod, find it is only about half gone, but the water heater is now damaged from the removal and has to be replaced. Always listen to your gut, Eggie. I'd be reluctant to pull it, as right now it doesn't leak, but you don't know it's condition. You pull it, but booger a thread or something, and the anode is still in decent shape, now you have to replace. I agree with Ed. Let sleeping dogs lie. If you do not have a pan under it now, you MAY be able to cobble something together to protect yourself. They always go out at 3AM, and usually when someone's out of town. When and if you DO replace it, do NOT cheap out and not put a pan under it with a good drain. BTDT with two heaters I inherited. Well, I didn't cheap out, but the previous owners did, and that much water plus a lot that comes in to fill the leak wets a lot even if you find it quick. Can lead to mold, too. Steve |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
SteveB wrote:
"Ed Pawlowski" wrote in message ... "Salmon Egg" wrote in message While I do believe that a new anode could greatly extend life. As was mentioned removal could be difficult. I once tried to remove an anode from a used up heater. I was totally unsuccessful. I would be even less ready now even if the heater were not in a confined space. You'd really be PO'd to pull the anode rod, find it is only about half gone, but the water heater is now damaged from the removal and has to be replaced. Always listen to your gut, Eggie. I'd be reluctant to pull it, as right now it doesn't leak, but you don't know it's condition. You pull it, but booger a thread or something, and the anode is still in decent shape, now you have to replace. I agree with Ed. Let sleeping dogs lie. If you do not have a pan under it now, you MAY be able to cobble something together to protect yourself. They always go out at 3AM, and usually when someone's out of town. When and if you DO replace it, do NOT cheap out and not put a pan under it with a good drain. BTDT with two heaters I inherited. Well, I didn't cheap out, but the previous owners did, and that much water plus a lot that comes in to fill the leak wets a lot even if you find it quick. Can lead to mold, too. Steve Hmmm, Ditto here. In my local area, I never saw a worn out(disappeared) anode. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
In article ,
"Ed Pawlowski" wrote: Anyone that has ever pulled anything out of anything old and untouched has risked or done damage and has a surprise or two. Broken bolts, stripped thread, twisted connections valves that leak by, and on and on. Example: I helped my maintenance guys today. Last Thursday the were going to pull a basin pan out of a water cooling tower and replace it with the new one. Figured they would do one side in a day, the second side in less time. They are on day 5 and were fabricating more parts this morning. Side two will go easier since we know what parts will fall apart. I've been working around mechanical things for the past 50+ years. **** happens. It is experiences like these that make me wary of inspecting and replacing the anode. I am pretty sure I will get another few years out of the heater. In the back of my mind is the thought of the effort of taking out the anode only to find out everything was ok until I screwed things up. Bill -- Private Profit; Public Poop! Avoid collateral windfall! |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
Salmon Egg wrote:
Anyone that has ever pulled anything out of anything old and untouched has risked or done damage and has a surprise or two. Broken bolts, stripped thread, twisted connections valves that leak by, and on and on. Example: I helped my maintenance guys today. Last Thursday the were going to pull a basin pan out of a water cooling tower and replace it with the new one. Figured they would do one side in a day, the second side in less time. They are on day 5 and were fabricating more parts this morning. Side two will go easier since we know what parts will fall apart. I've been working around mechanical things for the past 50+ years. **** happens. It is experiences like these that make me wary of inspecting and replacing the anode. I am pretty sure I will get another few years out of the heater. In the back of my mind is the thought of the effort of taking out the anode only to find out everything was ok until I screwed things up. But wouldn't removal be more difficult the longer it is left? I need to check, but I'm almost sure that the instructions for the water heater I installed earlier this year say to check the anode every six months. Perce |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
Salmon Egg wrote:
(...) It is experiences like these that make me wary of inspecting and replacing the anode. I am pretty sure I will get another few years out of the heater. In the back of my mind is the thought of the effort of taking out the anode only to find out everything was ok until I screwed things up. Nonsense. Measure the flats of the existing anode and pick up a matching socket for your breaker bar. Using a Q-tip, daub under the head of the anode with Kroil. http://www.kanolabs.com/ Do not spray directly on to your water heater! Keep the Kroil away from hot parts, like the exhaust stack! Use with adequate ventilation and keep Kroil away from open flame. Repeat the application every day for a week. Shut off the water to the house; turn off the gas to the heater. Open a hose bib in the front yard to relieve pressure in the lines. Use a couple damp rags to clean the dust and Kroil off the anode cap and surrounding area. Snap your socket on to your breaker bar and spin the old anode out of the tank. It will still be hot! Inspect the anode. Replace if unduly worn. Decalcify if necessary. Apply a THIN coating of graphite to the anode threads using a pencil. Spin the new anode back into the tank and tighten. Shut off the hose bib in the front yard. Turn on the water and check for leaks. No leaks? Turn the gas back on and light the pilot. Bob's your uncle. --Winston |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
"Salmon Egg" wrote in message ... Does it make practical sense to preemptively replace anodes in working water heaters in order to extend their lives? Is it better to just wait until leaking begins? Bill Yes check the anode! To simplify the removal use a 6 point socket and a breaker bar. I have found that heating the head of the anode with a propane torch softens the pipe dope thy use at the factory to facilitate removal. Check out this web site for the anode tutorial: http://waterheaterrescue.com/ You can probably find the anodes cheaper if you hunt a bit. -- Roger Shoaf If you are not part of the solution, you are not dissolved in the solvent. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
In article ,
"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote: But wouldn't removal be more difficult the longer it is left? I need to check, but I'm almost sure that the instructions for the water heater I installed earlier this year say to check the anode every six months. If it were an easy job, I would have no problem. It is not. Typical instruction also tell you to drain your heater a bit every few months. That is relatively easy with just the presence of a hose bib and a valve. Who does even that? So after all that, I decided to not worry about the and and let the corrosion do what is natural. Bill -- Private Profit; Public Poop! Avoid collateral windfall! |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
In article ,
"Ed Pawlowski" wrote: I've been working around mechanical things for the past 50+ years. **** happens. Saw a show about the water mains under NYC. They're over 100 years old. Things need to be replaced to prevent future catastrophic failure. They're afraid to touch the valves for fear of causing said catastrophe immediately. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
In article ,
Winston wrote: Salmon Egg wrote: (...) It is experiences like these that make me wary of inspecting and replacing the anode. I am pretty sure I will get another few years out of the heater. In the back of my mind is the thought of the effort of taking out the anode only to find out everything was ok until I screwed things up. Nonsense. Measure the flats of the existing anode and pick up a matching socket for your breaker bar. Using a Q-tip, daub under the head of the anode with Kroil. http://www.kanolabs.com/ Do not spray directly on to your water heater! Keep the Kroil away from hot parts, like the exhaust stack! Use with adequate ventilation and keep Kroil away from open flame. Repeat the application every day for a week. Shut off the water to the house; turn off the gas to the heater. Open a hose bib in the front yard to relieve pressure in the lines. Use a couple damp rags to clean the dust and Kroil off the anode cap and surrounding area. Snap your socket on to your breaker bar and spin the old anode out of the tank. It will still be hot! Inspect the anode. Replace if unduly worn. Decalcify if necessary. Apply a THIN coating of graphite to the anode threads using a pencil. Spin the new anode back into the tank and tighten. Shut off the hose bib in the front yard. Turn on the water and check for leaks. No leaks? Turn the gas back on and light the pilot. Bob's your uncle. --Winston Holy Crap. I wouldn't go to all that trouble if pussy was involved. When the anode is shot, the water heater can't have much life left in it anyway. I say, don't drain the heater, and leave the anode alone. Life's too short to worry about milking an extra year or two out of a lowly water heater. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
Smitty Two wrote:
(...) Holy Crap. I wouldn't go to all that trouble if pussy was involved. When the anode is shot, the water heater can't have much life left in it anyway. I say, don't drain the heater, and leave the anode alone. Life's too short to worry about milking an extra year or two out of a lowly water heater. It's *almost* as important. Money is involved. Written out, the procedure looks troublesome. I rarely need more than about 15 minutes to do water heater PM, once a year. It's simple and quick once you've done it. When the anode is shot, the water heater can't have much life left in it anyway. The idea is to stay on top of maintenance so to extend the life of the water heater. I say, don't drain the heater, Good, we can agree on something. :) and leave the anode alone. Life's too short to worry about milking an extra year or two out of a lowly water heater. How about an extra decade or two? Is that worth 15 minutes a year? --Winston -- "In an age of bodily repose, with nearly all locomotion artificial, with money as the principal purveyor, it is not surprising that men are careless about their physical powers, and think them hardly worth the trouble which their full cultivation would entail." Popular Science _On the Artificial Production of Stupidity in Schools_ June, 1872 |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
"Smitty Two" wrote in message ... In article , "Ed Pawlowski" wrote: I've been working around mechanical things for the past 50+ years. **** happens. Saw a show about the water mains under NYC. They're over 100 years old. Things need to be replaced to prevent future catastrophic failure. They're afraid to touch the valves for fear of causing said catastrophe immediately. I saw that show. At work, we have a few dozen steam valves. The ones used everyday are never a problem. The ones that get used once in five years always need re-packing or re-building after that use. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
On Aug 20, 1:59*am, "Roger Shoaf" wrote:
"Salmon Egg" wrote in message ... Does it make practical sense to preemptively replace anodes in working water heaters in order to extend their lives? Is it better to just wait until leaking begins? Bill Yes check the anode! * To simplify the removal use a 6 point socket and a breaker bar. *I have found that heating the head of the anode with a propane torch softens the pipe dope thy use at the factory to facilitate removal. Check out this web site for the anode tutorial:http://waterheaterrescue.com/ You can probably find the anodes cheaper if you hunt a bit. -- Roger Shoaf If you are not part of the solution, you are not dissolved in the solvent.. I've checked mine a couple times so far with no problems. I think folks here are looking at it from two very different perspectives: 1 - Checking it every couple years from the time the heater was new. I'd start at about year 3. If you do that, the fitting will remain easy to unscrew in the future and the risk of causing problems is low. 2 - Waiting until it's 10+ years old, approaching it's end of life, and then doing it for the first time. In that case, I'd agree it may be not worth it, as it could be very difficult to remove and could result in more problems, eg leaking. Regarding the advice to check it every 6 months, that seems very excessive to me and I doubt any water heater company would recommend doing it. The last tank I installed had no mention of checking the anode at all. I think the position of many of the tank manufacturers is that it should last about the life of the tank and doesn't need checking. And regarding that point, there are two schools of thought on the whole issue of whether it makes sense to replace the anode or not. It depends on whether you believe it really will extend the life of the tank significantly or not. It's also possible that other failure mechanisms will ultimately cause the tank to fail at about the same time whether you replace the anode or not. In other words, the original anode may be sufficient to prevent galvanic corrosion long enough that it gets the tank to the time zone when other failure modes unrelated to the anode are likely going to get it soon anyway. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
On Aug 20, 8:19�am, wrote:
On Aug 20, 1:59�am, "Roger Shoaf" wrote: "Salmon Egg" wrote in message ... Does it make practical sense to preemptively replace anodes in working water heaters in order to extend their lives? Is it better to just wait until leaking begins? Bill Yes check the anode! � To simplify the removal use a 6 point socket and a breaker bar. �I have found that heating the head of the anode with a propane torch softens the pipe dope thy use at the factory to facilitate removal. Check out this web site for the anode tutorial:http://waterheaterrescue..com/ You can probably find the anodes cheaper if you hunt a bit. -- Roger Shoaf If you are not part of the solution, you are not dissolved in the solvent. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
Salmon Egg wrote:
In article , "Percival P. Cassidy" wrote: But wouldn't removal be more difficult the longer it is left? I need to check, but I'm almost sure that the instructions for the water heater I installed earlier this year say to check the anode every six months. If it were an easy job, I would have no problem. It is not. Typical instruction also tell you to drain your heater a bit every few months. That is relatively easy with just the presence of a hose bib and a valve. Who does even that? So after all that, I decided to not worry about the and and let the corrosion do what is natural. Bill Thanks for the reminder:-)) Lou |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
Winston wrote:
I say, don't drain the heater, Good, we can agree on something. :) and leave the anode alone. Life's too short to worry about milking an extra year or two out of a lowly water heater. How about an extra decade or two? Is that worth 15 minutes a year? --Winston Why not drain the water? Lou |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
bob haller wrote:
snipped new heater will be more efficent and cut future energy costs:) DONT open plastic tank drain valves, they have ONLY one purpose to drain tank atr end of life!! How is a new heater going to be more efficient? Is there a new way to heat water with electricity (other than microwave)? What is the source of your valves comment? Lou |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
I have successfully removed anode rods with an impact wrench. (Compressed
air powered like they use to remove lugs when changing tires.) |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
I wrote:
Anyone that has ever pulled anything out of anything old and untouched has risked or done damage and has a surprise or two. Broken bolts, stripped thread, twisted connections valves that leak by, and on and on. Example: I helped my maintenance guys today. Last Thursday the were going to pull a basin pan out of a water cooling tower and replace it with the new one. Figured they would do one side in a day, the second side in less time. They are on day 5 and were fabricating more parts this morning. Side two will go easier since we know what parts will fall apart. I've been working around mechanical things for the past 50+ years. **** happens. It is experiences like these that make me wary of inspecting and replacing the anode. I am pretty sure I will get another few years out of the heater. In the back of my mind is the thought of the effort of taking out the anode only to find out everything was ok until I screwed things up. But wouldn't removal be more difficult the longer it is left? I need to check, but I'm almost sure that the instructions for the water heater I installed earlier this year say to check the anode every six months. I misremembered: the instructions say to inspect the anode annually *after the warranty period has expired*. In our case that is twelve years. I had tried to remove the anode in the old water heater but was unable to shift it with as much force as I felt comfortable applying. That was a 6-year warranty unit that was 11 years old, so I replaced it preemptively, since there is no floor drain anywhere nearby. Perce |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
LouB wrote:
new heater will be more efficent and cut future energy costs:) DONT open plastic tank drain valves, they have ONLY one purpose to drain tank atr end of life!! How is a new heater going to be more efficient? Is there a new way to heat water with electricity (other than microwave)? Better insulation. Electronic thermostats. For gas water heaters: eliminate the pilot light. Perce |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
SteveB wrote:
"Ed Pawlowski" wrote in message ... "Salmon Egg" wrote in message While I do believe that a new anode could greatly extend life. As was mentioned removal could be difficult. I once tried to remove an anode from a used up heater. I was totally unsuccessful. I would be even less ready now even if the heater were not in a confined space. You'd really be PO'd to pull the anode rod, find it is only about half gone, but the water heater is now damaged from the removal and has to be replaced. Always listen to your gut, Eggie. I'd be reluctant to pull it, as right now it doesn't leak, but you don't know it's condition. You pull it, but booger a thread or something, and the anode is still in decent shape, now you have to replace. I agree with Ed. How on earth are you going to "booger a thread"? These are pipe threads. Not exactly fragile things. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
On Aug 20, 10:23*am, "Percival P. Cassidy"
wrote: LouB wrote: new heater will be more efficent and cut future energy costs:) DONT open plastic tank drain valves, they have ONLY one purpose to drain tank atr end of life!! How is a new heater going to be more efficient? Is there a new way to heat water with electricity (other than microwave)? Better insulation. Electronic thermostats. For gas water heaters: eliminate the pilot light. Perce That assumes of course that you choose to spend the money on a more expensive tank when you replace it. However, if you have a modest cost tank and replace it with a similar one, it's unlikely you're going to save much energy. AFAIK, tanks are still available that have pilot lights, no? BTW, how is an electronic thermostat supposed to save energy over a mechanical one? I'd rather have the simple mechanical one, instead of another more expensive piece of electronics subject to surge damage, etc. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
"bob haller" wrote in message ... On Aug 20, 8:19?am, wrote: DONT open plastic tank drain valves, they have ONLY one purpose to drain tank atr end of life!! Replace with full port ball valve. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
In article ,
Winston wrote: How about an extra decade or two? Is that worth 15 minutes a year? Sure. Please cite a credible study showing that changing the anode extends WH life by a decade or two. |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
LouB wrote:
Winston wrote: I say, don't drain the heater, Good, we can agree on something. :) and leave the anode alone. Life's too short to worry about milking an extra year or two out of a lowly water heater. How about an extra decade or two? Is that worth 15 minutes a year? --Winston Why not drain the water? Lou I don't see a reason to do it. As Bob mentioned, the plastic drain valve really isn't anything to write home about. I couldn't stand the irony of causing an easily predicted failure as part of my PM! Note that the anode head and the top of the tank are both steel and will not be damaged if one is moderately careful. --Winston |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
On Aug 20, 1:36*pm, Winston wrote:
LouB wrote: Winston wrote: * I say, don't drain the heater, Good, we can agree on something. *:) * and leave the anode alone. Life's too short to worry about milking an * extra year or two out of a lowly water heater. How about an extra decade or two? *Is that worth 15 minutes a year? --Winston Why not drain the water? Lou I don't see a reason to do it. Draining it periodically is supposed to remove some of the sediment that collects at the bottom of tank and that inhibits heat transfer. You can replace the cheap plastic valve with a real one when installing a new tank. As Bob mentioned, the plastic drain valve really isn't anything to write home about. *I couldn't stand the irony of causing an easily predicted failure as part of my PM! Note that the anode head and the top of the tank are both steel and will not be damaged if one is moderately careful. --Winston |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
Smitty Two wrote:
In article , Winston wrote: How about an extra decade or two? Is that worth 15 minutes a year? Sure. Please cite a credible study showing that changing the anode extends WH life by a decade or two. A quick Google reveals nothing along those lines. However, _Your Mobile Home: Energy and Repair Guide for Manufactured Housing By John T. Krigger, Marty Lord, Bob Starkey_ states that a properly maintained tank should last "at least 30 years". Note that they don't put an upper limit on longevity. I've never had to replace a hot water heater that I've maintained. What is the most popular failure mechanism for a water heater? Leaks. How do leaks start? When corrosion converts exposed portions of the tank to oxide because the electrolytic protection has failed. If the electrolytic protection never fails, what is to prevent a tank from lasting a very long time? --Winston |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
Winston wrote:
wrote: On Aug 20, 1:36 pm, Winston wrote: LouB wrote: Winston wrote: I say, don't drain the heater, Good, we can agree on something. :) and leave the anode alone. Life's too short to worry about milking an extra year or two out of a lowly water heater. How about an extra decade or two? Is that worth 15 minutes a year? --Winston Why not drain the water? Lou I don't see a reason to do it. Draining it periodically is supposed to remove some of the sediment that collects at the bottom of tank and that inhibits heat transfer. You can replace the cheap plastic valve with a real one when installing a new tank. There is a large area at the bottom of the tank to collect sediment. Much of the heat exchange occurs further up in the tank anyway: http://www.homerepairforum.com/image...TAWAY_w550.JPG The risk of sediment causing a leak in that valve is really too great for my taste. It seems reasonable that it is a 'single use' part. --Winston Thanks to both of you. Lou |
Replacing anode rods in water heaters?
On Aug 19, 6:29*pm, Salmon Egg wrote:
Does it make practical sense to preemptively replace anodes in working water heaters in order to extend their lives? Is it better to just wait until leaking begins? Bill -- Private Profit; Public Poop! Avoid collateral windfall! When I was a kid I needed an anode rod for a science experiment. Well I went down to the local hardware store and while they had some the guy there said I could save some money by scavaging for what I needed at the dump. When I got there they had a section of the dump with them piled up. I pulled a dozen of the things and there wasnt enough degradation of any of them to mention. Jimmie |
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