Rheem Water Heater Anode Rod Location

Anode rods are the most important line of defense in preventing corrosion and leaks in your water heater.

Rheem water heater anode rod location.

On older models the anode rod may be exposed. How to replace the anode rod in a gas or electric water heater. You see over time corrosive agents in your home s water eat up the inside of the water heater. It will be underneath one of the plastic caps.

More precisely your magnesium or aluminum sacrificial anode is visible through a hexagonal head located in the center of your tank under a plastic cover. As the anode works the life of the water heater is increased. The anode rod or the sacrificial anode rod is a unique component that helps storage water heaters to prolong their lifespan. From the word sacrificial it literally means that the anode rod sacrifices itself by succumbing to rust first before other components of your storage tank.

Open the water heater s drain valve and drain approximately two gallons of water from the tank. The anode should be checked and replaced every couple of years. Refer to your water heater s user guide for more information. If water is leaking from your water heater s anode rod port you ll see water coming from this area your anode rod is a long skinny rod that sits inside the water heater and prevents your tank from corroding.

Locate the anode rod position on the top of the tank.