An anode rod is one of the most important components of the water heater which must be installed effectively. You can also extend the life of your existing water heater by replacing the anode rod. So, you must pay attention to details during the installation or replacement of the anode rod.
Here are a few tips mentioned to help you deal with the installation and replacement of anode rod.
1. Remove Old Anode Rod
First of all, you must know the exact location of an anode rod to be able to remove it. You can easily find it on one of the sides of the water heater. It stops serving its purpose due to the excessive corrosion and rusting. If you try to put off its replacement, you may have to bear deadly consequences later. So, the right time to remove the old anode rod is as soon as you start noticing the signs of corrosion. You can use the wrench to unscrew it safely.
2. Turn off Water Supply
It is suggested to turn off the main valve of hot and cold water supply to avoid flooding or any other critical issue. It would help prevent the air from coming into contact with the power of the water heater. However, if you have a gas heater, you must turn off the main valve of gas control or you can also change the settings to “vacation” for a while.
3. Drain Water
You must allow some water to drain with the help of a garden hose. Also, you can attach the hose to the drain at the lower end of your water heater. You must be careful while carrying out this process as the water can also be too hot to handle.
4. Arrange Equipment & Tools
You must not forget to arrange all the necessary equipment and tools you might need during the installation or replacement process. The most common ones include an air compressor, socket wrench, impact wrench, garden hose, bucket, and tape. You can also get the whole kit from any nearby hardware store. However, if you decide to take help from a professional, you won’t have to worry about the required equipment and tools.
5. Install New Anode Rod
Now you can install a new water heater anode rod. However, you must make sure that you purchase the right type of anode rod that is compatible with your system. You can also consider buying a powered anode rod that is different from a simple anode rod and doesn’t degrade easily. Also, if the space is limited, you can go for a flexible rod. After tightening the new rod with a socket wrench, you can ask someone to hold onto the water heater to prevent it from moving.
6. Turn on Water Supply
Now you can turn on the water supply to let the air release from the tank. It would help the water run freely. Also, it would help you detect leaks if there are any.
Krishan Jangir