RE: When to replace annode rod on water heater?

[Campntime]

 
When I winterized our  01 Bayside, I noticed the annode rod had material on it yet ok except for an area about an inch wide right behind the plug where it was down to just the bare rod.  Is it time to replace the rod with a new one or is there sufficient material yet for protection another year?

[tlhdoc]

 Campntime
I have used the same rod for 4 seasons.  If most of the rod is still there you can keep using it.

[AustinBoston]

 tlhdoc
The rate at which the rod disintegrates depends on a number of factors.  How often it is used, what type of water it s exposed to, whether you drain the tank between trips, and possibly a few more.
 
 Some of those will affect how fast the core will corrode.  When I replaced ours (after two years), the core was down to a tiny amount of heavily rusted metal.  Most of the anode material (zinc, I think), was still intact, except for that first inch at the base.  Because of the way it works, that first inch will usually be the maximum deterioration point.
 
 The anode rod should cost about $10-$12 to replace, and if it breaks off inside (think of how it bounces when going down the road), you will regret not spending that $12 when you finally get the busted off piece out of the hot water heater.
 
 Austin

[Campntime]

 Campntime
Really appreciate the responses tlhdoc and AustinBoston!!  Probably could get by ok...but I lean toward preventive maintenance...so will be replacing the rod.   Thanks for sharing your experience.

[6Quigs]

 Campntime
Mine was a lot more coroded than Tim5055 s in this photo
 
 http://www.title-3.com/images/Anode.jpg
 
 and that was after just one season.
 The center of the anode rod is a different material, that does not corode as easily, so the chances of rod breaking off and bouncing around inside the water heater are very small.
 I still replaced it, as $12 buys me peace of mind.

[Campntime]

 Campntime
Picture is a help 6Quigs....mine is defnitely corroded more than this one.  I m down to the metal stem for a inch or so.  I agree, $12 is cheap peace of mind.
 Thanks for info.