When you consider your water heater, you probably only think about the hot water it provides your family with. However, this important appliance has many moving parts that allow it to get its job done without any hassle — including the anode rod.
All tank-style water heaters have a component called the “anode rod.” All-in-all, this crucial part plays a significant role in helping your water heater achieve a long, worry-free lifespan. As a result, you can encounter various water heater anode problems over time.
Let’s discuss some of the most common types of water heater anode rod issues homeowners encounter.
What Does an Anode Rod Do?
Before we can review the most noteworthy water heater anode rod problems, you need to have a thorough understanding of how this part works. So we’ve created a guide to help you grasp how a sacrificial anode rod works, how often it needs to be replaced, and what kinds of materials they’re composed of.
What Are Common Water Heater Anode Rod Problems?
All zinc, aluminum, and magnesium rods can experience their fair share of complications. That’s because these components eventually wear out. However, it’s important to mention that you can experience different types of water heater anode rod issues depending on the type of material it’s made out of.
Regular Wear & Tear
As we’ve already discussed, it’s normal for your water heater’s anode time to sustain serious damage and corrosion over time. Of course, this means that one of the most common water heater anode problems homeowners encounter is regular deterioration as time goes by. That’s why it’s important to check your anode rod on a routine basis.
Many corrosive materials and minerals in your water supply will damage this crucial component of your water heater. Unfortunately, the anode rod can wear out even faster if you constantly deal with highly acidic water in your home.
If you think you could have a deteriorated anode rod on your hands, you can perform an inspection to confirm your suspicions. Although you can inspect your water heater yourself, don’t hesitate to contact a professional technician for help. In most cases, you’ll want to consider replacing the anode rod if significant corrosion is visible.
When it comes down to it, replacing the anode rod can have many benefits. For example, switching out the anode rod will ensure that your water heater doesn’t start corroding in its place. Ultimately, you can avoid needing a water heater replacement in Seattle, WA.
Foul Odors
There are many types of water heater anode rod issues to be aware of, but a rotten egg odor is probably one of the most obvious. All-in-all, you’re only likely to encounter this problem if your magnesium or aluminum anode rod is bad and needs to be replaced. As these particular anode rods deteriorate, they can produce sulfur bacteria — or “hydrogen sulfide.”
The good news is that you can potentially avoid this smelly issue by replacing your aluminum or magnesium anode rod with a different type. For instance, you’ll want to consider purchasing zinc anode rods instead. First, you should check your water heater user’s manual or contact a professional to see which type of anode rods your water heater can accommodate. Your water heater might only work with aluminum rods, and so on.
Water Discoloration
Unfortunately, rusty or brown-colored water can be one of the most common water heater anode rod problems. No matter which types of anode rods you use, there’s a chance that the corrosion and rust it accumulates can make itself known in your water when you turn on a faucet or shower. Therefore, it’s a good idea to replace the anode rod as soon as possible to fix this issue. This way, you can rest assured that your water is sanitary and safe for your family to consume.
Address Your Water Heaters Problems With an Expert!
As you can see, you can encounter many types of water heater anode rod issues. While some problems are reserved for specific types of magnesium and aluminum anode rods, you can encounter various other complications regardless of their material.
Are you experiencing a rotten egg smell or water discoloration? If so, don’t hesitate to call Fast Water Heater to replace your anode rod! We specialize in various services, from full water heater replacements to comprehensive repairs and maintenance. Our highly trained and experienced technicians can help keep your hot water heater in perfect working condition.
Contact us today to schedule your water heater repair in Portland, OR, or another location along the West Coast! You can find us serving homeowners from Los Angeles to Washington State.