A Rainy Day Activity

If you were to check the owner's manual of your hot water heater you would discover that you are supposed to check the anode rod every year. Back in 2007, our good friends down the street discovered water where water shouldn't be. Their water heater, hidden in a bedroom closet, had begun to leak all over the place.

This got the spouse very excited. Me, less so. But I did start to investigate the nature of the beast. I discovered what I just told you, they should be checked every year and replaced if they have over six inches of corrosion. I did that back in 2007, found the anode rod completely dissolved and replace it. I had not checked it since, until today. As you can see, I haven't used up six inches as yet, but it will need replacement in a year.

If you don't replace them, the water heater will leak and replacing that will be about $800 - $1,000. For more information check This Old House.