When you take a shower, do the laundry, or wash your dishes, you expect pretty much instantaneous access to the hot water that you require for doing so. This access to reliable hot water is so much a part of our daily lives that it is easy to overlook just how vital it is. That is, until something goes wrong. That is precisely why it is so important that your tank water heater in Spring, TX is equipped with a good anode rod. You may not know this component by name, but it serves a very important purpose in your tank water heater.
What Is the Anode Rod, and What Function Does It Serve?
Most people understand that leaving metal in constant contact with water is going to result in the rusting and corroding of that metal. Have you ever stopped and wondered why, then, your hot water tank that stores the water heated by your water heater doesn’t rust out? There are 2 reasons for this.
While water heater tanks are typically made of steel, the steel within is not directly exposed to water–not intentionally so, anyway. Instead, the steel tank has a glass liner to protect it from the corrosive elements in the water. Subjected to constant heat, though, that glass liner can and will crack. When this happens, it is up to the anode rod to prevent your tank from rusting.
The anode rod is usually made of aluminum or magnesium. Magnesium is generally preferred, as it works better, but it is also more expensive. Essentially, the anode rod’s one and only purpose is to sacrifice itself for the good of your water heater tank. It does this by attracting corrosive elements in the water before the steel in the tank can, and simply rusting away. That’s why it’s important to have the anode rod inspected and, when needed, replaced.
Schedule your water heater services with Milton Frank Plumbing.