Water Heater Elements

[kenmac]

Often, the anode rod is gone (sacrificial rod that usually screws into top of water heater). When this rod is gone, the water heater life is shortened.

Here is an article about it (google water heater anode rod).

Sacrificial Anodes: What keeps water heaters from rusting out

That also determines the tank warranty. The size & or how many anode rods are installed.

 

[SARG]

I have never replaced one of those rods but have been told replacements can be purchased. Usually by the time the anode rod is used up ... I just replace the heater because all the fittings.. the check valve ... the water tank etc is due for a change. Historically our heaters have been replaced about every ten years.

Messing with this sort of stuff in February here in the northeast is not on my fun list.

 

[Paystar]

Sarge, I know what you're saying. I know when mine goes.....you'll be taking a shower and run out of hot water way sooner than normal. Take the bottom element out, and sure enough it is buried in white sediment. And like you say, no amount of flushing gets it out. I do the same as you....shop vac with various homemade ends to get in the tank and all kinds of scraping devises to dig the tank out. It's a pain in the but, but I prefer to do this over getting a water softener. Everytime I shower somewhere that has a water softener it feels like you can't rinse the soap off. I hate that.

 

[Gator6x4]

I like the Plumber Pack at Home Depot. The pack contains the upper and lower elements as well as the upper and lower thermostats. The pack was cheaper cost wise than purchasing the two elements seperately.

 

[CurlyDave]

At my home in the SF Bay Area, I kept a gas fired hot water tank going for 20 years by changing the sacrificial anode every 5 years.

The only reason the tank quit working was that the house burned down (not from a problem with the water heater).

 

[thatguy]

I picked up 2 elements tonite at Lowes - These were stainless steel ($20 each) and the packaging said they handled deposits and burning out better than the others ones ($10 each).. The $20 were definately heavier than the other ones..

Did I waste my money on the $20 ones?

I also got a wrench..

I figured it was cheap insurance - I remember my parents water heater going out only twice - both times was on a holiday when the stores were closed

Brian

 

[Travelover]

At my home in the SF Bay Area, I kept a gas fired hot water tank going for 20 years by changing the sacrificial anode every 5 years.

The only reason the tank quit working was that the house burned down (not from a problem with the water heater).

My hot water started to stink , so I removed my anode. That was 20 years ago and the gas water heater still works fine.

 

[timswi]

I picked up 2 elements tonite at Lowes - These were stainless steel ($20 each) and the packaging said they handled deposits and burning out better than the others ones ($10 each).. The $20 were definately heavier than the other ones..

Did I waste my money on the $20 ones?

I also got a wrench..

I figured it was cheap insurance - I remember my parents water heater going out only twice - both times was on a holiday when the stores were closed

Brian

I've used the stainless ones and they do seem to last much longer. Money NOT wasted IMHO.

 

[SARG]

No waste if you feel better about it. Kinda like buying a "better" oil filter for your tractor.

Preventative maintenance is a good thing. Water heaters work ..... "Until they don't" .... and I prefer mine doesn't croak in February.

A friend advised once that water treatment systems i.e. water softeners ..and anode rods don't work well together. He was told to remove it. I don't recall what the chemistry was........ but there was a negative reaction.

THATGUY: Just a suggestion ... I've found that when reassembling the rods into the heater after wiping the thread area good and making sure that the area where the gasket seats is clean ..... just a dab of vaseline on the gaskets allows them to seat better. And make sure the original gaskets come off with the old rods.

 

[buntrock]

Just a note I live in an area that has really hard water!I used to replace my water heater elements more often than I wanted, water heater in kitchen very inconvient.My brother and neighbor swore by Sand Hog elements.I bought a couple and although they cost a little more they last a long time.I haven't changed them in over five years!