Hey everyone! I'm curious about the anode rod for my 15-year-old Bradford White gas water heater. I noticed that the rod and dip tube are completely covered in white powder and definitely need replacing. How often should an anode rod typically be replaced? Also, I had a tough time removing mine, as the nipple got bent in the process, so I'm wondering if it's worth attempting removal without having a replacement on hand. Thanks!
2 Answers
I usually replace mine every year or two, and they tend to be in much worse shape than yours! That white buildup might just be mineral deposits, which can happen depending on your local water supply. It’s important to keep an eye on it!
The replacement frequency really depends on your water chemistry. I’d recommend checking it every couple of years. If you stay on top of flushing and replacing the anode rod, your water heater can last a lot longer!
I live in Los Angeles, so I’m on municipal water. Makes sense that the build-up could be from that!