Your water heater is constantly flowing with water every single day, so how come it doesn’t collapse into a pile of rust within a year? It is important to know that the reason water heaters last for decades are due to the anode rod.
The anode rod is a long metal rod which is inserted into the water heater tank. It is comprised of either aluminum, magnesium, or zinc, forged around a steel wire core. Once the rod makes contact with the water inside the tank, it will begin to degrade. As this process occurs, the ions that cause rust are attracted to the rod by electrolysis. As long as the rod is in the tank, the water heater will be protected from rust.
However, this protection is not permanent. Eventually, the anode rode will degrade all the way down to the steel wire at its core, which will not be enough to attract ions in the water. When this occurs, the anode rod needs to be replaced immediately or the tank will be susceptible to rust.
Typically, anode rods last for up to one year before the protection will start to expire. This is why it is imperative to schedule routine maintenance for your water heater, so that a professional plumber can check the anode rod and replace it when necessary.
If you are interested in water heater maintenance services in the San Fernando Valley, contact Duran & Sons Universal Plumbing & Rooter and schedule an appointment immediately. Nearly 30 years of experience at your service!