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Compare the new water heater anode rod on the left (what we sell) to a one year old anode-rod.
If an anode rod looks any more deformed than the picture on the right, we suggest that you replace that anode rod with a new one.
The used anode rod shown on the right is in a condition where it will probably need to be replaced soon.
Waiting a long time is not a good idea. The possibility of the old water heater anode rod becoming broken off,
and then falling to the bottom of the water heater (and then bouncing around whenever water travels inside the water heater) is what will deteriorate the water heater tank lining very quickly. This will cause cracks in the glass lining of the water heater radically shortening the life of the water heater. Having a depleted anode rod and not replacing your water heater anode rods in a timely fashion WILL shorten the life span of your water heater.
Please note that the condition of your water and the quality of the water heater lining are two other factors that affect the life span of your water heater.
Anode rods that come installed with water heaters generally will be made of magnesium or aluminum that is wrapped around a steel core wire.
Water heater anode rods are generally screwed into the top of the tank.
Because the rod is made with a higher current potential than other metals in the water heater, it will ensure that the galvanic current flows from the rod to other exposed metals, preventing their corrosion. In other words, the anode rod corrodes and not the tank or the element. The anode rod is "self-sacrificing."
When there's no sacrificial metal left on the anode, the tank can rust out.
Anode rods generally last about five years but it really depends mostly on the quality of your
water and how much water travels through your water heater.
When sodium is added to the water (such as when a water softener is used), anode rods can
corrode more quickly. Water softeners can help reduce sediment, but anodes can corrode in as
little as six months if the water is over-softened.
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"Since the combination aluminum/zinc/tin
anode rods are more expensive, does this mean they are better?"
Combination aluminum/zinc/tin may be better
than aluminum-only rods depending on water conditions. As stated in the FAQ above, if you smell an odor
from the hot water side only, an aluminum/zinc/tin anode rod may reduce the odor. Therefore,
it may be perceived as being better than an aluminum-only anode rod. However, if do not smell any odor from the
hot water side, and your currently using an aluminum-only anode rod, then purchasing
the more expensive combination rod probably won't make a noticeable difference.