Camco Aluminum Anode Rod for Hot Water Heater - 3/4-Inch OD x 42-Inch - Extends the Life of Your Water Heater Tank by Absorbing Corrosion Causing Particles (11582)

I only became properly aware of the presence and purpose of the water heater anode recently. I figured mine would be toast given that my heater is 17 years old. The old one was effectively welded in place and my 14" pipe wrench wasn't cutting it. I bought a 27mm socket (which is equivalent to 1 1/16") and an 18" breaker bar to remove the old one. I even had to use a makeshift harness using a clamping tie-down looped round the base of the safety valve to counter the force of the breaker bar. Without the counter force, I could easily have fractured the water pipes at the top of the heater. I was working in a confined space so it was really tough to crack it. It took several sessions over the course of a day before I worked up to maximum force and resolve and cracked it. There was nothing left of the old anode at all - just the copper wire core. The water that came out of the drain valve was a heavy opaque brown and the draining under gravity was extremely slow. It did speed up a bit as I drained out several gallons but it remained heavily discolored. The anode threads were heavily caked with oxidation deposits. I cleaned the threads with stiff nylon brushes and wire brushes. I had to cut 6" off the length of the anode because of the lack of ceiling clearance, which still left a healthy 35". I was still concerned about the discolored water in the tank and decided that I would flush water through the drain valve at mains pressure. You don't have to shut off anything to do this. I drew water off in 5 gallon amounts into a bucket so I could monitor the progress. I did a few buckets at a time over 2 or 3 days. I probably flushed at least 80 gallons in the end. To start with the water would sputter due to larger chunks of hard sediment but that cleared as I progressed. The water contained a sandy sediment and some calcium deposits. The brown coloration was presumably iron oxide. I stopped when I wasn't getting any further improvement, although the water still slightly discolored. On the plus side, I had been experiencing major skin irritation after showering for several years and it had been getting worse in recent times. I'd been researching water filters and had experimented with filter showerheads to resolve the issue, but after this tank flushing, my skin irritation has all but disappeared. As a result of this exercise, I will periodically flush out a few gallons from the tank and check the water clarity and flush out more as needs be. I will also check the anode after 7 years or so.

These really do work in non-aluminum tanks

This is just what it says, a replacement anode rod. Since the screw size (3/4") is standard among American hot water heaters the only variable is the rod length. Mine, at 42 inches, happened to fit without cutting. I also had enough head room above the unit so I did not have to use a segmented rod. Shortening the anode would be no problem as it is just an aluminum rod and can easily be cut with a hacksaw. Everything I read said a 1-1/16 inch socket would fit the head. However, I had to substitute a 27 mm socket as my 1-1/16" socket turned out to be a tad too small. ( A 1-1/16" open end wrench did fit so the problem was my socket.) Removal of the old anode rod is said to be difficult according to Ask This Old House and various YouTube videos. Usually they are frozen/corroded in place. However, mine came out easily with an electric 1/2" impact wrench. That was nice since my heater is in a very small closet and there is no room to hold or brace it for a difficult removal. I've attached a photo of the old and new anode rods. There wasn't much left of the old rod after 14 years. I recommend draining and cleaning the water heater afterwards. I did mine beforehand and had to fish several pieces of the old rod out through the lower element hole. (That's when I noticed the rod needed replacement.) You can rig a piece of garden hose to a shop vac and clean out the sediment. Its a bit of a pain, but a whole lot easier and cheaper than replacing the water heater.

Installed it in my hot water heater. I'll let you know if it works when I remove it in a couple of years. Make sure you have ceiling clearance above the heater before ordering.

Fast shipping. Quality product.

Finally replaced the Anode Rod on my Kenmore 40 gal Gas Water Heater after 10 years. I knew it was going to be bad not having had replaced it sooner but better late then never. I got lucky. Mines was nearly gone and it seems I replaced it just in time. The original OE rod was more expensive than this one from Amazon and I had read that aluminum rods are better for hard water (I live in Houston, TX) over magnesium and decided to go this route. Also, the original rod on my water heater is shorter than this one and wanted to install (if possible) a longer one (for longer life). If the rod is too long to fit inside your water heater, you can cut off the excess length with a hack saw or power saw (because the rod is just basically a long metal aluminum bar). I did end up cutting off a small length off the new rod so it would fit perfect (with no potential issues) inside my water heater but definitely longer than the original one. I happy with it and time will tell on longevity and quality.

Bought used at great price and easily installed. Found another one for same price so I purchased it Great preventative device. Must buy!

Fits properly and length can be adjusted by cutting.

Great product, the dimensions are exactly as described and pictured. Replaced the hot water tank's old anode with this new one, 1 1/16" socket, breaker bar and short cheater. Watch for overhead clearance, I had to insert the new anode at an angle otherwise I would have had to cut the bottom off the new one. I have hard water so I opted for this aluminum anode instead of the magnesium.

I did alot of research and this rod is good for hard water in the city, consider too grabbing right socket to remove the old rod, princess auto 27 mm socket SKU: 8919797 is a perfect job, fits perfectly on the anode rod slot.

Did the job. Super inexpensive from the used item warehouse.

Went in easy, need clearance above to get it in. Put two wraps of teflon tape near top plus a light film of silicon on top of tape and went in easy with no leaks.