//Glossary
Anode rod
A sacrificial metal rod inside a tank water heater that corrodes in place of the steel tank. Once it is used up, the tank starts corroding instead.
Should the anode rod be replaced?
On a tank that is otherwise in good shape, replacing a spent anode is a small job that can add life. On a tank that is already rusting or leaking, it is too late; the money belongs in a replacement.
Guides that use this term
- › Signs your water heater is failing, and which ones mean replace
- › What a $150 water heater tune-up covers, and why sediment is the enemy
- › Bradford White water heaters: why they are the tank Done-Rite installs
- › No hot water: the checks to make before you call, and what each result means
- › Repair or replace your water heater? The rule Done-Rite uses
- › Tank vs tankless water heater: $2,300 to $3,200 vs $4,000 to $6,000, and what you get for the step
- › Gas vs electric water heater repair: what fails on each and what the visit involves
Related terms
//Open 6am to 7pm daily · 24/7 emergency
Trust Done-Rite for all your plumbing needs
Licensed, bonded and insured. Family-owned since 2014. No trip charge, 1-hour response, and 24/7 emergency service.
