What Causes Water Heater Anode Rod to Dissolve Quickly

Published 10/16/2018

Question:

I bought a new SW6 waterheater towards the end of last desert season. I usually go out about every 2-4 weeks and my next time out after installing new heater there was a white substance in the hot water side, enough so that it half plugged the tub drain. I ran the water a while and never quite got rid of the substance. I only went out 2-3 more times that season but never got rid of the sediment. Long story short 1st trip out this fall I pulled the plug and my anode was completely gone. Its been less than a year. The metal rod the anode was on looks new but the anode is completely gone and the tank was full of partially dissolved stufffoot and a few small chunks of anode laying in the bottom. My old heater had a pretty well used up anode but it was still there after many years of use. Were on well water but no one else has had this problem. What happened?

asked by: JohnF

Expert Reply:

In most situations, you will need to change your water heater anode rod about once every 6 years as long as it operates under normal working conditions. However, depending on the composition of your water, you may need to change the anode rod more frequently. Since you said you were using well water that is most likely the variable that caused it to wear out quicker. They are designed to wear out though so your best option is to replace them more often.

expert reply by: Jameson C