Water Heater Anode Rod Replacement
#1
Water Heater Anode Rod Replacement
I have a Bradford White 50 gallon, electric, water heater. I want to replace the magnesium anode rod with an aluminum rod. The Bradford White website says this may eliminate the rotten-eggs odor created when the magnesium anode rod interacts with sulfur and bacteria in the tank and generates enough hydrogen to create an odor.
The anode rod and outlet pipe are a combined pipe, i.e., the anode rod is not a separate rod screwed into the top of the tank.
The question is how do I remove and install this combined pipe? There is only fitting threads visible above the top of the tank. I could use a pipe wrench to remove the mag rod; the damaged threads wouldn't be a problem since I could discard the rod. But, to install the new rod I'd need to put the wrench on the new threads. And that is a problem. Is there a unique tool or technique to use?
The anode rod and outlet pipe are a combined pipe, i.e., the anode rod is not a separate rod screwed into the top of the tank.
The question is how do I remove and install this combined pipe? There is only fitting threads visible above the top of the tank. I could use a pipe wrench to remove the mag rod; the damaged threads wouldn't be a problem since I could discard the rod. But, to install the new rod I'd need to put the wrench on the new threads. And that is a problem. Is there a unique tool or technique to use?