Anode Rod in hot water heater I need to remove!?

Question

My new hot water heater makes my water stink to high havens. I was told by a water spaecliast to take the rod out and cut it flush. Has any one here ever had to do the same, I rather replace the hot water heater every ten years or so then smell thet rotten water.

The hot water heater is only a month old and the smell was imediate .

Answer 1

It's been so long since I researched this for myself...

I recall there are two type of sacrificial metals used for anode rods. Rather than removing (or cutting flush) the rod, see if the manufacturer offers the other material? With any luck, you may only have to pay for shipping if you state your case politely.

I hear you about the 10 year replacement, but I'm thinking about if you aren't home when it decides to start leaking. Many times this is of course starts as a slow trickle. But you might be away for the weekend or week, why chance it?

--- EDIT ---
http://www.plumbingsupply.com/anoderods.html

Aluminum or magnesium are the two choices, see info on this site.

Answer 2

The annode rod is on the top of the tank. It looks like a hex nut and is generally about an 1 1/4 inch. You can remove it and cut it off and put the nut back in. But I dont think that will fix the problem. The stink is actually in the water and by heating it, the tank simply enhances the smell. You may need to get a water softener.

Answer 3

The smell is hydrogen sulfide and generally occurs when the water supply to the structure is from a well system.The magnesium anode rods will have to be replaced with aluminum anode rods and the system thoroughly flushed. If the smell persists it may be necessary to have your water supply tested and appropriate action taken.

The smell may be caused by bacteria from the well or water supply which reacts with the magnesium anode rod or rods and creates hydrogen sulfide. If after replacing the anode rods with aluminum and flushing the system the smell continues, the water heater will have to be drained and flushed with a mild chlorine solution which will kill the bacteria.

As to the suggestion of "cutting it off": anode rods protect the interior (water side) of the water heater from the process of electrolysis (stray current found in every structure), and prevent premature failure of the water heater. Cutting them off or eliminating them all together may void your warranty and/or significantly shorten the life of the water heater (to substantially less than 10 years).

Answer 4

often times, if the water heater is in then basement, the rod is to long and hits the ceiling before you can get it out. in that case you'll need to cut it to remove it. use locking pliers to hold the bottom half, so it does not fall back into the tank. the new rods are available in a segmented type that resembles sausage links to facilitate replacement.
make sure you have a pocket full of quarters. plumbing jobs always require a couple of deposits in the swear word jar.
good luck

Answer 5

Never heard of cutting off the rod, are you sure he didn't mean taking out the rod and flushing the tank? It's the lime build up in the bottom that is stinking. Need to flush out the tank every so often. I do mine twice a year.