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I did something really smart today(for a change) and I am sharing it with you because you could save yourself a bunch of money and possibly even water damage. Anyone can do this!
One of the local plumbing companies does free hw heater flushes. Of course the idea is they want to sell you something. But I like free so I had them come out and do it. My hw heater is only a couple years old but the anode rod was completely gone. With no anode rod left my hw heater is living on borrowed time.
And they wanted $300 to replace it!!! And it's a 10 minute job, even for me who doesn't fumble around with tools for a living. I held out and said no. After they left, armed with the model and serial number I found the part. Less than $50 from the manufacturer and I bet I will find it from someone else for even less.
My personal tip: use teflon tape when you screw in the replacement anode. Is it a hex head? Or is it part of the hot water nipple?
Hex head! Good idea about the teflon tape and I will do that. Love that stuff!
I know you live here at least part time and the plumber told me they should be checked every year here and will probably need to be replaced every other year at least!
I replaced my anode a year or two ago. I had to cut the old one and let it drop into the water heater, as the anode material was peeling off and would not fit through the opening. Perhaps I should have just waited another year to see if it would shrink enough for me to pull it out. I did not think of that at the time.
I am hoping that by changing the anode, the water heater will last more than 7 years. It is now 7 years old, so it is too early to tell. I have well water. People with Wooster City water seem to get longer water heater life. The city uses a lime, soda ash, CO2 treatment process, which produces a less corrosive water.
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