Water heaters are built to last a long time. Gas water heaters, for instance, typically last for 10 years. Electric water heaters, on the other hand, have an even longer lifespan at 15 years. However, your water heater lasting that long will still depend on how regularly you perform maintenance work on this very important appliance.
A more commonly known way to extend the life of your water heater is to drain it. This maintenance task needs to be done at least once a year to get rid of sediments that have accumulated over time. There is, however, a lesser-known but more effective way to extend the life of your water heater, and it involves something called a sacrificial anode.
What is a sacrificial anode?
A sacrificial anode is a long metal rod that is stuck from the top of your water heater tank all the way down into the tank. The sacrificial anode rod is usually long enough to run almost the entire length of the tank. Usually made of a steel core surrounded by a protective layer of magnesium, aluminum or zinc, the sacrificial anode rod gets its name from the purpose that it serves: to get attacked by rust and other contaminants in the water first, therefore sparing your water heater tank’s steel walls from rusting and corrosion.
How long does a sacrificial anode rod last?
With a fresh sacrificial anode rod, contaminants in the water will always attack it first. After all, the materials it’s made of are less noble than your water heaters tank’ steel walls. That, however, will change when the sacrificial anode itself is worn down by all those contaminants. On average, a sacrificial anode lasts anywhere between 4-5 years, depending on the mineral content of your water and how often your water heater is used. If left untouched after this period and beyond, the contaminants in the water will turn their attention to the walls of the water tank itself. When rust and corrosion hits your water tank, it’s only a matter of time before it springs a water leak, and that will spell the beginning of the end for your water heater.
Check sacrificial anode every two years
For this reason, it would be wise to check the condition of your sacrificial anode rod every two to three years. That way, you can see if the sacrificial anode rod can still hold out for another year or two or if it already needs to be replaced the soonest possible time. If you think that a replacement is already necessary, pay a visit to the neighbourhood plumbing supply store and buy one.
Replacing the sacrificial anode rod in your water heater tank is easy enough, but if you’re going to need help doing it, you can seek the help of a professional, of which Beez Neez Plumbing has plenty. With just one call, we can send a plumbing professional over to your home and replace the sacrificial anode rod of your water heater for you.