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Anode

joe_6
joe_6 Member Posts: 23
in THE MAIN WALL
What is an anode on a hot water heater.Thanks

Comments

  • Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating
    Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating Member Posts: 1,373
    it's magnesium

    to draw the corrosive agents in the water to attack itself instead of your hot water tank. bob
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  • Mike T., Swampeast MO
    Mike T., Swampeast MO Member Posts: 6,928
    Anode in water heater

    In simple terms it is a strip of metal that sacrifices itself by attracting corrosive elements so they can't attack any exposed metal portion of the tank itself.

    Consequently they are CONSUMED but rarely are they replaced. When they are fully consumed the corrosive elements in the water attack the tank itself and it dies in short order.

    When a tank is new the anode connection should be unscrewed and coated with anti-seize paste to make it MUCH easier to remove it when it must be replaced.

    Some? Many? plumbing supply houses will look at you like you have antennnae sprouting from your head if you ask for a new anode!
  • Mike Kusiak
    Mike Kusiak Member Posts: 42
    Buying replacement anodes

    I have gotten exactly the same alien response when trying to buy replacement anodes at my local suppliers! Does anyone know a distributor who sells them in the NYC area?
  • Bruce
    Bruce Member Posts: 27
    would you need

    an anode if the water tank was being use as a boiler with antifreeze? Bruce
  • Mike T., Swampeast MO
    Mike T., Swampeast MO Member Posts: 6,928
    Internet

    They come both solid and "articulated" so you can install them with limited headroom.
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