Need help with water heater anode rod

[PopUpMomma]

We are replacing the anode rod in our water heater.  The factor rod is about 1/4 in in diameter and the new rod is about 1/2 in diameter.  It bolts in ok.  Is this ok?  Nothing is open today, Sunday.

R

[PopUpMomma]

After looking at the anode rod (the old one) we have determind that the old rod just disolved.  Has this ever happened to anyone?

We are replacing the anode rod in our water heater.  The factor rod is about 1/4 in in diameter and the new rod is about 1/2 in diameter.  It bolts in ok.  Is this ok?  Nothing is open today, Sunday.

R

[calstate360]

After looking at the anode rod (the old one) we have determind that the old rod just disolved. Has this ever happened to anyone?

That's what it is supposed to do. You sacrafice the anode rod instead of the tank in the heater.
Sal

[PopUpMomma]

Thank you!  I hope we didn't wait too long.  How do we tell if the water heater is ok?  Lots of gunk coming out of it.  We bought it used its a 2001 and we are sure it has never been serviced.

That's what it is supposed to do. You sacrafice the anode rod instead of the tank in the heater.
Sal

[calstate360]

Thank you! I hope we didn't wait too long. How do we tell if the water heater is ok? Lots of gunk coming out of it. We bought it used its a 2001 and we are sure it has never been serviced.

From the size you describe it sounds fine. You can pick up a tank flush tool here.
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=14677&src=SRCH&tcode=37
 
There are directions on how to use it and when there. It's basically a tube that's bent at the end with a hose fitting. When the anode rod is completely gone all that is left is the wire that the runs through the middle. Flushing the tank will also prevent the rotten egg smell in the water. Hope that helps.
Sal

[PopUpMomma]

Helps alot!

From the size you describe it sounds fine. You can pick up a tank flush tool here.
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=14677&src=SRCH&tcode=37
 
There are directions on how to use it and when there. It's basically a tube that's bent at the end with a hose fitting. When the anode rod is completely gone all that is left is the wire that the runs through the middle. Flushing the tank will also prevent the rotten egg smell in the water. Hope that helps.
Sal

[PopUpMomma]

Sal, thanks again.  After reading about the flush tool, it sounds almost what we "invented" but we used a tube we had for the fish tank.  We flushed and flushed and, I was wondering about the rotten egg smell.  Infact, I thought I might have drained food down the sink.
Thanks again, you are a life saver!!

From the size you describe it sounds fine. You can pick up a tank flush tool here.
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=14677&src=SRCH&tcode=37
 
There are directions on how to use it and when there. It's basically a tube that's bent at the end with a hose fitting. When the anode rod is completely gone all that is left is the wire that the runs through the middle. Flushing the tank will also prevent the rotten egg smell in the water. Hope that helps.
Sal

[tlhdoc]

I was wondering about the rotten egg smell.  Infact, I thought I might have drained food down the sink.

The rotten egg smell is produced by bacteria.  You will need to sanitize your water system including the water heater.   Do you know how to sanitize the water system?

[PopUpMomma]

Is it as simple as a bit of bleach?

The rotten egg smell is produced by bacteria.  You will need to sanitize your water system including the water heater.   Do you know how to sanitize the water system?

[chasd60]

The following information was gleaned from the "Fundamentals of Water Heating Training Manual" from Rheem Manufacturing Co.: "Hydrogen sulfide is a gas that is present in some water systems. The amount depends on where the water comes from, though virtually all water in the United States comes from ground water or surface water sources." We need to see how much of the water we use passes through the heater, because as the water is heated, the dissolved gases are released. If the water contains as little as one part per million of hydrogen sulfide, you will notice its distinctive rotten egg smell. The odor is most noticeable when the heater is first used.
 
 The odor can also be caused by the anode rod inside the heater. The anode is a sacrificial metal rod that attracts corrosive elements in the water supply to protect the lining of the tank. Most anode rods are magnesium. In water supplies that have "low conductivity," the anode rod operates at low current levels, releasing a small amount of elements from the rod to the water. When the conductivity is high, an excessive amount of inefficient current is produced, releasing larger amounts of elements to the water.
 
 When excessive elements are freed to the water, chemical reactions take place, producing hydrogen ions. Some water supplies have excessive sulfates along with strains of sulfate-reducing bacteria. The bacteria are harmless, but under certain conditions they can grow and produce hydrogen sulfide gas by using the hydrogen ion released from the anode.
 
   Sulfide-reducing bacteria in the water heater can be killed by adding chlorine to the tank.
 
 And for the aluminum anode
   According to the people at A.O. Smith, (800) 433-2545, one of the largest manufacturers of water heaters, the most common cause of smelly water is nontoxic sulfate-reducing bacteria. The rotten egg smell is a by-product of the bacteria that converts sulfate in the water to hydrogen sulfide as part of the bacteria's life process. The bacteria get into the water through construction, a break in ground piping, or a well system.
   Factors that increase the likelihood of having the bacteria in your water supply include having a well, using a water softener or not using the water system for a prolonged period of time.
   Most hot water heaters have aluminum anode rods. If your hot water is giving off a rotten egg smell, the easiest solution is to replace the aluminum anode rod with a non-aluminum anode rod, such as the A.O. Smith KA90 or State Industries Replacement Kit, #9000029.
   Should changing the anode rod not correct the problem, the water tank and hot water lines may need a chlorine bleach bath. This procedure kills the bacteria with a 10-parts water to 1-part bleach solution.

[tlhdoc]

Is it as simple as a bit of bleach?

Yes just add some bleach to the water system, run it through all of the water lines and let it soak for a couple hours and then rinse with fresh water.