What You Need to Know About the Anode Rod

For systems that deal with water on a regular basis, rust is more or less inevitable. So, with how much water your water heater deals with on a regular basis, have you ever wondered why it’s not absolutely covered in rust even after a short period of time? The answer is a part called the anode rod. The anode rod is what allows your water heater to fend off rust for as long as possible. Let’s take a look at how the anode rod protects your water heater and what you need to do to maintain that protection.

An anode rod is a long metal rod, typically made of magnesium or aluminum, which is inserted to the water heater storage tank. While the anode rod is in contact with the water in the tank, it will degrade. This attracts the ions in the water that normally cause rust, in a process called electrolysis. As long as the anode rod is degrading, the water heater tank will be protected from rusting. However, this protection does not last forever.

The anode rod is not a permanent solution to the problem of rust. Eventually, it will degrade so much that it will no longer be able to protect the water heater against the ions in the water. If the rod is not replaced, the water heater will once again be vulnerable to rusting over time. This is why you should schedule preventive maintenance for your water heater at least once a year, so that your water heater technician can check the anode rod and replace it if necessary.