How to Replace ANODE ROD on WATER HEATER: 2-Minute Tutorial Ep.11

Replace you anode rod in your water heater and add years of life to it and save money on your water heater. It's a simple DIY beginner plumbing job.
------------------------------------------
AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS (Click to support channel-THANKS!)
Magnesium Anode Rod (MOST COMMON): geni.us/fvJKTO7 (Amazon)
Aluminum Anode Rod (ULTRA HARD WATER-RARE): geni.us/y0qv (Amazon)
Aluminum-Zinc Anode Rod (ROTTEN EGG WATER): geni.us/mK9Tg6 (Amazon)
DeWalt 20v Impact Wrench: geni.us/WKx0Ds (Amazon)
Craftsman 1-1/16" Socket: geni.us/rlC0I (Amazon)
Patreon- Patreon.com/handymanhertz

[@ericg5877]

Thank you for not putting out a 20 minute video and still doing a thorough job

[@HandymanHertz]

You bet, that's my style! Glad you appreciate it!

[@28282222]

Yes what’s with this wave of 20-30 minute videos on 5 minute subjects?

[@Truelove6]

Trust him on the impact driver. A breaker or even a ratchet is gonna spin the whole tank and then you're hosed. Good video!

[@HandymanHertz]

100% Correct 👍🏼

[@timgedney8613]

Yep...that's what's happening with me. Now...to find an impact wrench to borrow....

[@truthalonetriumphs6572]

Hosed lol

[@marcactivator1413]

Would it be safe to use an anti-seize spray/penetrating catalyst if I cant remove the rod with a breaker bar without rotating the whole tank and I dont have a impact wrench?

[@markmulye2703]

Very helpful video, to the point, and without time-wasting fluff! Thanks!

[@HandymanHertz]

Thanks! I'm not a fan of fluff! 😊

[@DonCh4oS]

Great video. As a new homeowner I wasn't aware of this. Good things i clicked on this video after learning about water heater maintenance in hard water areas. Thank you. Subbing to learn more

[@HandymanHertz]

Thanks for subbing! I have a video on flushing your water heater, which you may consider watching and doing.

[@SteelWaffen]

your awesome i didnt know about this im gonna go change mine now because my tank was already used and its been in my house for 20 years

[@HandymanHertz]

Probably a good idea!

[@stevecampbell5083]

Great now I have another job on my todo list 😂 lucky I have a awesome video to watch showing me how to do it

[@HandymanHertz]

just another thing put on your plate! Sorry Steve! 😂

[@sapelesteve]

Nicely done & great tutorial! I wasn't even aware of the anode rod or how to change it! Thanks! 👍👍

[@HandymanHertz]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, I don’t think many people know about them. I’d be curious to know what percentage of the population does.

[@rodmiller9729]

Thanks for the great video. The factory installed anodes are a pain to remove. Didn't have an impact wrench. Used an 18" breaker bar with a 2' iron pipe as an extension. Also, let a couple of ice cubes melt on the top of the anode. This did the trick. Also, be sure to check the length of anode needed for your hot water model. The 44" flex magnesium anode comes in four sections. I had to snip off the bottom one with bolt cutters to make it the proper length.

[@dizleran9276]

Thanks for your video. I was assigned to change one today but I’ve never heard of one of these. I’ve never done this job. I came on here watch this video and I think I’ll be all right. this what happens when you just try to make a living and you lie on the résumé, thanks for your great video.

[@HandymanHertz]

You're welcome! Yup, just make sure water is off/partially drained, you've got an impact or huge breaker bar if it's the style like mind. Theres another style of anode rod if you can't find the hex but. Usually on Bradford whites in my experience 👍🏼

[@dizleran9276]

@@HandymanHertz thanks !

[@jaydeeppatel1807]

Thank you for explaining why we need to flush some water. I have been wondering why we must flush out some water

[@HandymanHertz]

You bet! I flooded things a little so You didn't have to haha

[@migsfire5912]

man, thanks for the education on the water heater. liked , and subscribed

[@HandymanHertz]

Thanks for the sub and glad you liked it 👍🏼

[@tylerlong4696]

Thank you very easy video to follow

[@HandymanHertz]

You are welcome!

[@gsdmom1194]

Thank you. This is good to know. I will show this to my husband. I have been seeing some super tiny black residue like you sprinkled it in the bottom of tub. If you wipe it, it just streaks. You have to actually use a cleaner on it. I was trying to figure out where it was coming from. ....the shower head, faucet....someone not rinsing out the tub after a shower. 😮😮😮 One day i had to run some hot water and i noticed these tiny tiny black specks in the water. They were so tiny that anyone would have missed them but when you drained the tub you would see them. When you wipe them with a cloth or paper towel, they remind me of the dark ash particles when you burn pine. Waxy or like a grease pencil. The house is 24 yrs old and this is the 2nd water heater. There is what some people say as hard water, 2 months a year but no one has water softners, i dont have hardwater stains or buildup on any of the faucets. Opinion? Could that be what is causing this ????? That rod?

[@HandymanHertz]

That’s Interesting, I havnt personally experienced this out of a faucet/tub. My first thought would be to flush your hot water heater. All of the sediments over the years settled to the bottom, and could get stirred up and flow into your faucets. I’ll have a video on here to do that in a day or two. It could be that an anode rod, but I don’t think so. I think if it was that noticeable, and that much, you would have to change out that anode rod very very often. Maybe someone else can jump in here on the comments and help you out. Possible that it’s something in your well or city water?

[@gsdmom1194]

@HandymanHertz it is possible now that you say that. I live near the foothills of the Northern Colorado Rockies. We had those massive fires in 2020... I don't know if you have ever been here, but it even burned above timberline in an area where there aren't trees, just sparsely growing shrubs and grass clumps. Lots of rock. We had ash on our cars, sidewalks, grass, sometimes close to an inch thick in the morning. Used the leaf blower constantly. I even had chunks of burnt wood, and one morning, there was a beautiful aspen leaf on my car, but when I touched it, it disappeared. It was ash. We live over 30 miles from the beginning of the canyons and the fire. The fires were everywhere but were massive for CO. The rain and snow melt goes into the Big Thompson river, which is our water source. If I think back, the black isn't constant. I can clean the tub and not see the black, and this can go several weeks. Unfortunately.....I haven't paid attention to it and the weather together to see if it matches up to times when we have had moisture. I do know some areas are still dealing with soil erosion and roads washing out. I don't know how long it takes for that much ash to decompose. We had a lot of flooding this spring, which would cause Ash still hidden, not decomposed to wash downstream. I could also just be grasping at straws. It's good to know about that rod, though. The way it wipes or sticks reminds me of pine ash....exactly. the river at one time was flowing with black water. We used bottled water, but they said it was fine to drink it. I don't really trust that.

[@gsdmom1194]

@@HandymanHertz oh, thanks for responding so fast.

[@HandymanHertz]

@gsdmom1194 hmm, that makes sense to me. They sell whole house filters that filters all of the water that comes in your house. I’m not sure how fine of particles it filters out, it may not work with your issue.

[@monicahertz2900]

Wow! How did we miss this all these years!!! We gotta get on this now! Thanks! This video needs to go viral! Everyone has at least 1 or more hot water heaters!!! 👍

[@phottomatt4202]

Subbed, waiting for the water heater flush video

[@HandymanHertz]

Thanks, we've had some issues with the footage and may have to redo it. But your comment definitely puts it higher on the video "to do" list 👍🏼

[@joejesus9902]

Great explanation my man

[@HandymanHertz]

Thanks for watching!

[@stormyjones2355]

Thank you. Very helpful and valuable information.👍🏻

[@HandymanHertz]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏼

[@leogoddess89]

Thanks so much for sharing this information!

[@HandymanHertz]

Yup, thanks for watching 👍🏼

[@seekeroftruth101]

Excellent explanation!

[@HandymanHertz]

Thanks!

[@renegaderandle8728]

Great info, Sir.

[@GriffinsFanChris]

This video is perfect, concisely gets to the point without being a half hour long. Im just wondering how I'm going to get the rod out. I'm fairly certain I dont have 40" of space above the heater.

[@HandymanHertz]

Thanks! One thing you can do,unscrew it and cut the rod under the threads. Let it fall back in and to the bottom. Never done this but it won't hurt anything there and it will actually be beneficial and help your new rod, as I'm sure it still has some life it in. Or You can't pull it out, put vise scrips at the base. And cut it, and keep doing that until it's out. Take it out in sections. Then Click on my link in description and buy the num-chuck looking one that is flexible 👍🏼 hope this helps

[@GriffinsFanChris]

@@HandymanHertz Ok, I think that might work. I probably have between 25" to 30" of clearance, so I'd probably only have to cut it once. I saw the numchuck style in the link, I'm definitely using that kind.

[@jballs1118]

I have an AO Smith and I haven't changed the anode rod in 10 years. Should I leave it alone or replace the rod? Great video thanks.

[@HandymanHertz]

Thanks for watching! Yes, I'd replace it immediately. I'd imagine it's either eaten away, or calcified and may look okay, but ineffective. Theres no downside to changing it out other than any issues in replacing it (i.e. cross thread the threads or something else silly) I'd recommend this one: amzn.to/3T7mSy9

[@biblereadings7617]

@@HandymanHertz my hot water stopped working and my circuit breaker got tripped and seems to stay that way. I have a weird metal/sulfu like smell now at times. Should I change the anode rod? I never changed mine before.

[@HandymanHertz]

@biblereadings7617 yes, change the rod out, but maybe wait until your water heater is fixed first so you don't waste money if it needs replace. If you have sulfur smell, you'll want to get an anode rod with aluminum/aluminum zinc in it.

[@infinityowl4203]

i was today years old when a random youtube short told me this existed.

[@HandymanHertz]

oh the mysteries of life... 😊

[@easternsprails]

Oh, geez. 5 years max. I wonder what I'll find when I pull mine. 15 years since the tank was installed.

[@HandymanHertz]

It really depends on the water quality. Some last less than two years and some would probably last 10 or 20 years 🤷‍♂️

[@Scot7t7t7]

I'm removing my anode rod, and the instructions say to use a 1 - 1/16 inch socket. The socket has some play and does not seem to be the right size. This anode rod came with the Rheem water heater. I tried a 26mm, but that is too small, and a 27mm is a bit larger. Is there a specific size that will fit on the anode rod nut?

[@brentonpacker3291]

Great video! I just hit the subscribe button.

[@HandymanHertz]

Awesome thank you! 👍🏼

[@Seanscichlids]

I have shut off valve on the tank, and the water main. Is turning off the water main enough or should I turn off both?

[@HandymanHertz]

Water main is plenty.

[@Seanscichlids]

@@HandymanHertz Thank you. Should I use both the Teflon tape, and the dope or is the tape enough?

[@Brooklynapoli]

The length of the rod depends of how many gallons is the water heater, correct?

[@HandymanHertz]

I believe they sell just one size at your hardware store, but yes, I think it would depend on the size. Although it seems like they just get fatter, not so much taller. I could be wrong though.

[@28282222]

Put mine in new 8 years ago, just changed it and doesnt even look as bad as the one in the video.

[@HandymanHertz]

Yep, everyone's water is different, some people need to change it every two years. Some people every 10 years.

[@fabfabber]

I will need to get a flex anode like what you installed. I know I can cut it to length if needed, but is there any harm if I install it and the excess is resting on the tank bottom?

[@HandymanHertz]

I don't see any logical reason why you couldn't. mine is resting on the bottom. One installation reason is it may be a little harder to catch the threads when you thread it in, but you'll get it 👍🏼

[@fabfabber]

Yep, I'll get it. I guess what may happen is that the anode may sit on any sediment on the tank bottom.@@HandymanHertz

[@mrtncrls]

How often should I change my anode rod? My water heater is 1 year old

[@mrtncrls]

Never mind, you just mentioned it in the video. Thanks!

[@HandymanHertz]

👍🏼 yup, depends on your area and whether or not your in a well or city. pretty easy to pull it and do a quick check too.

[@ptech88]

Only issue is some have the anode rod part of the hot nipple. Makes it alot harder.

[@HandymanHertz]

Yes, I believe Bradford whites are the only ones I've come across like that. Terrible design imo, I'd never buy that brand for that reason.

[@-.__.__.-Rad]

couldn't the impact potentially crack the glass lining?

[@HandymanHertz]

Hmm good question. I guess I dont think of them as that fragile but I don't know for sure. Maybe I need to cut one in half?

[@-.__.__.-Rad]

@@HandymanHertz Not sure about that either, I just know they're expensive, I got mine out with a 3ft breaker bar. I think the key is to do it every 2 years

[@HandymanHertz]

@-.__.__.-Rad yup, I agree, I think that's the best way to reduce them seizing. I've even wondered if putting anti-seize on it would help?

[@heretoreview8331]

What is that tool you used to pull the rod up called?

[@HandymanHertz]

I used a cordless Impact Wrench.

[@joephu]

You should definitely considered a powered anode rod. They last 20+ years

[@HandymanHertz]

That's a good idea, but I haven't lived anywhere long enough to get a return on my investment 😆

[@GG-xs8vt]

My tank is a 40 gal Bradford White. I don’t have a separate Anode rod. Where is it???

[@HandymanHertz]

Some Bradford white models have the anode rod connected to the threaded hot water outlet. But you can buy a replacement one. It’s the dumbest design in my opinion. I hope to have a tutorial on that sometime down the road.

[@GG-xs8vt]

@@HandymanHertz Thanks for the reply

[@alexnunez4019]

Hi, I cannot find the how to drain water heater video??

[@HandymanHertz]

I’ve had some issues with the editing part, but hope to get it out soon, unless I need to region the video. Sorry! I’ll update you in a comment when it’s uploaded. It’s easy though, I’m sure you’re already doing it correctly

[@rightyouareken7587]

Mine was in there so tight I rounded the bolt. It’s never coming out

[@HandymanHertz]

Oh wow! Just curious, did you use a wrench or impact? 12 or 6 point socket?

[@rightyouareken7587]

@@HandymanHertz 3/4” breaker bar with 12 initially and wouldnt budge and then I tried 6 which rounded the head with 3 successive pulls. My impact socket was to beefy to fit in the recessed hole That’s what she said

[@stilllearning777]

Be careful how many teflon wraps you add because the threads need to make a good electrical connection with the tank as in ground out to the tank.

[@HandymanHertz]

Are you being serious?

[@dmastergritty3568]

I changed mine after much research on KZbin. Kept seeing talk of this electrical connection but the threaded cap on my new segmented rod was plastic, not metal like the original rod so I call bunk on that theory. @@HandymanHertz

[@mrsturgy4084]

I'd be worried about those galvanized nipples with brass fittings on them. Electrolysis is sure to happen there

[@HandymanHertz]

Yeah, not ideal for sure, but no issue all these years later (water heater built in 2007 if I remember right?)

[@Ms12369]

Thank you So Much for explaining about where the rod was. I was going insane trying to find, positive it would Not be under all that styrofoam. It's a weird ass design and I hate whoever decided on it 🥲😭😭

[@HandymanHertz]

You're welcome! I agree, I don't know why they don't make it easier, I guess they didn't ask us haha Some of the manufacturers have their rod connected under the threaded hot water discharge pipe (I'm looking at you, Bradford white). That would have really made you upset.

[@Ms12369]

@@HandymanHertz oh lord, yes 😭😭😭 I can't replace my rod just yet anyways because as you said, it's all siezed now. Won't budge At All. So I guess I gotta get a power tool first 🥲

[@HandymanHertz]

@Ms12369 you may be able to get away with putting a long pipe on your ratchet or breaker bar to get more leverage. That's worked in the past. But yes, a power tool is best.

[@Ms12369]

@@HandymanHertz ah, I already tried pliers on the bar but maybe a longer handle would be better. It's in a weird spot too and it's Kinda hard throwing your weight into it when it's cramped and you're on a ladder 😅 Prolly just gonna have to get a power tool for it anyways but thanks for the tips!

[@HandymanHertz]

@Ms12369 yeah, that sounds like an awkward one, the power tool should help ya... Good luck! 👍🏼