30 Minute Secret Makes Your Water Heater Last Decades

Want to never have to replace your water heater again? Check out the Corro-Protec Anode Rod that will save you all the hassle of having to replace that old water heater!
Remember to tell us your water heater horror stories in the comments- whichever 3 get the most likes will get a free Corro-Protect Anode Rod!

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[bloodwillrunthestreets]

This is some of the best information I have come across on YouTube. I had never heard about this DIY process and have spent lots of money replacing water heaters over the years, one being during a time when my brother was sick with cancer. Every time I see my water heater I think of my brother and myself replacing the tank. It was the last DIY project that we did together before he passed. Rest in Peace Barry, I miss you brother.

[francismccabe]

I a a marine engineer, and have been familiar with anodes composed of zinc, magnesium, aluminum and other alloys for 45 years. These are generically called "zincs". Powered anodes have been common for decades. Ironically, use of any of these anodes is called cathodic protection. Rule of thumb: inspect anodes periodically (once a year is fine for water heaters) and replace the anode or zinc when it is 50% deteriorated. You may not need to change it every year, but 3 years may well be too late. I was advised that the newer water heaters with only a 7 year warranty have one anode, and 14 year warranted heaters have two. I have not personally verified this, although it makes sense. I have been advised that zincs protect iron that is in line-of-sight from the zinc (why there are so many zincs positioned on ships rudders and surrounding hull. Areas outside line of sight are not so well protected. This was shown to be true with a water heater I once had. Although I had kept up with the zinc replacements, the heater corroded through on the opposite side from the center exhaust pipe (propane water heater) where it was welded into the top about 12 years after installation. Now I have an electronic anode (not the brand advertised in this vid). The manufacturer advises this anode protects the whole tank regardless of obstacles. They advised putting it on its own surge protector, which I did for the $200+ e-anode.

I blow down my heater each month. I installed a full ported ball valve in place of the factory drain spigot and have a hose to a floor drain. I make sure the heater has been off for at least an hour, turn it off, and then open the valve fully for 20 seconds. Close it for 5 minutes to let agitated water and debris inside to settle, then open it wide again for 20 seconds.

It's all a pain, but replacing the power-vented 80 gallon heater would cost over $3000.

[brettster]

Great video! It is so nice to see a video that helps homeowners live more trouble free in their homes. I am also so pleased to see you using a traditional gas water heater with a pilot light, I as a designer always recommend this as you will still have not water in an electrical power failure situation, and nothing feels better than a hot shower or bath during a winter snowstorm when you are otherwise huddled around a fireplace being uncomfortable.

[mlthewi]

You are so nice! Thank you! In 2012 our water heater gave up the ghost the day before my father, then in Hospice, died. In desperation and needing a shower, a plumber came to assist AND gave me a hug when the replacement was complete.

[backnine]

Tip for pipe thread. Put teflon tape on first then pipe dope. You will never get a leak. I am a pipefitter and this is how we do it. If you have a impact gun that anode rod will come right out. If you have a electric hot water tank turn breaker off. When you drain water you may exposé top heating element to air and it will burn out. Make sure hot water tank is full before turning breaker on. Great video.

[ME-moez]

I live in Burlington Canada
Few years back I went to have my morning shower and the water was cold
I went to the basement and walked into a couple of inches of water which had spread all the way to my large crawlspace
The reason the water had not gone through the floor drain was a plastic shopping bag had somehow found it's way to the drain hole
A lot of stuff got ruined and the musty smell lingered for a few years
The water heater was a rental so I called the company and they replaced it the same day
But I learned something from the guy that was installing it that their units are less prone to mishaps (heavy duty compared to a unit purchased from Home Depot for example) because it's costly for them to send a technician Some time later I called them and told them that I want to buy the hot water heater because I didn't want to pay the monthly rental/insurance
Thank you for bringing this to my attention
I will share this video with everyone I know who has purchased their unit
Cheers

[garymunson]

Back in the 60's, my best friend in middle schools father was a plumber. Their house backed up to woods and many weekends he and I would set up our pup tents and camp out back there. As you said, water heaters seem to always fail on weekends and we were often pressed into service helping his dad swap them out. To this day I still remember him telling us how important it was to flush the heater out at least once a year and also how he never changed out a leaking heater that had a good anode rod in it. I committed that advice to memory and now I'm 73 and in all my life I have NEVER had to replace a complete water heater (over the decades have replaced many electric elements and gas valves, though!) I was disappointed you did not mention the fact that anode rods come in the length for the most common water heaters and you may need to hacksaw them down for heaters that are shorter than normal so you do not damage the bottom of the tank when you screw it in!

[AaronCMorris]

These anode rods can be long in size. While removing the old one you may hit the ceiling trying to get it out. There for you have to cut it with a cut wheel. Lift it up about half way and put a vice grip on the part your cutting so when it’s cut it won’t fall into the tank. Then with the rod shorter you should be able to get all of it out. Hope this helps. Learned from experience.

[danan]

The corro-protect anode sounds like a great idea. Im gonna check it out, thanks for the tip. A couple comments on the video: 1: Shut off the cold supply and open any hot water tap in the hosue to relieve the pressure, actuating the TRV could cause it to leak. 2) let the heater cool before draining, hot water can destroy a garden hose and cause scalding. 3) try using a 1/2 impact driver extract the old anode. If that doesnt work then go to the manual method using a breaker bar, BUT never use a torque wrench as a breaker, at best it will knock it out of calibration or worse

[MichaelHanks-jk]

Cool. Nursed an electric for 25 years. Many elements and intense de-liming every 2 yrs.
Just purchased a new Rheem and will definitely be going with a CORRO PROTEC.
Devine intervention stumbling on your video. Thank you!

[stevenreed]

My brother called from 800 miles away to tell me our dad was in the hospital close to death, and I should get up there right away. While getting ready to leave, I noticed the water heater had just begun to leak onto the floor. That "time bomb" was about to go off! had I left a day earlier, I would have returned to a complete disaster area. That was before I bought my house. At that time, I was in an apartment, so I couldn't just shut everything off, drain it and leave. The maintenance crew installed ball valves on both the input and output pipes which is smart because it's easier now to change the water heater. I narrowly avoided a complete disaster!! By the way, Dad pulled through and we celebrated his 90th birthday last year. Speaking of water heaters, I need to put a new water heater in the house I bought and I'm glad I saw your channel, and subscribed.

[richardsmith]

I'm one who keeps up with water heater maintenance by draining and flushing my 50 gal. gas water heater every 12 months. The water heater is a couple of years old and I would have replaced the anode rod by 3-4 years just as a precaution. But then I saw your video and researched the Corro-Protec and ordered one. I installed in a few months back and have to say it's a blessing that I will not have to worry about replacing it for another 20 years !!! And yes that green light is quite visible in the garage with the lights out !! Thanks for a great video and for those on the fence I would say do your research and read the reviews, it's a great product.

[TallTimbersUSA]

The anode rod you plugged is exactly what I installed a few years ago! I can confirm that it does in fact reduce any foul smell in hot water. Prices sure have shot up, it was only $96 when I bought mine!

[j.frankparnell]

Also, be sure to check your clearance above the water tank before attempting this. Trying to pull out a 4 ft anode rod with 2 ft of clearance above the tank will require some creative solutions.

[BlankBrain]

I just installed a Corro-Protec anode in my Reliance water heater that I replaced eight months ago. The old anode was difficult to get out! I think letting it cool some while I went to town for a six-point socket and ratchet strap helped. I used the new socket and a breaker bar, and didn't need the strap after all. The anode top was deep in the hole in the top of the heater. I had to devise hooks to get it up to where I could grab it.
In 2012, I bought a home that had the original 1952 water heater. It leaked and was shut off, but I know made it past 2002 (50 years).

[bellflowerlions]

Great video! I own several rental units and had no idea what an anode rod is. I hate the unexpected time and expense of replacing a water heater. And you’re right about them always going out during holidays or when you’re about to go on vacation. Thanks for the video!

[BigBigWorm-fcrs]

My mind is completely blown away. I had to replace my hot water heater last year and it was a nightmare. I’m ordering one of these right now! Thanks for the information!

[AzureZero]

Have had my powered anode rod for nearly 13 years now. Can confirm they do in fact work since my water heater is still going at nearly 20 years old.

[TheAlaskaMom]

This is good to know. Thanks!

Our water heater went out when my husband was gone overseas and I was out doing some last minute Christmas shopping with my six kiddos! (You were not wrong about the expiration date!)
I came home to hot water flooding our basement. I turned off the water valves and hooked up a hose to the water heater to drain the water outside. Frustration reigned as the hose kept freezing up since it was 40 below here in Alaska on this Saturday night before Christmas. I kept having to pull the end of the hose back in the house to thaw, running back and forth, turning the valve off and on again after the ice melted. I called my husband, who was in Germany, (it was daytime there) and told him what was going on. It had already been a long night! While talking to him, I was distracted and had forgotten to close the valve on the water heater while the hose was thawing and when I came back to put the hose back outside the door I found it had thawed and was releasing water all over the other side of our basement! I scrambled to put the hose outside and clean up the huge mess I had just created! It was now 6:00am and I was exhausted!

Why does everything break in the middle of winter when my husband is gone?

Since then, we’ve replaced another water heater. I’m definitely getting one of these for my husband for Christmas!

[liamctracy]

Very informative video. One note: A torque wrench should only be used to tighten, never to loosen.