skunkworks

The rods have flex joints just for that reason.
gary

Edit: the anode rod is about 2/3 the length of the HWH's total height..

Jet sitter

I finally got around to opening up the drain valve to see if there was any sediment after all of these years. The water was cloudy for 5 seconds, after that clear as spring water. It's a 60 gallon Rheem gas water heater. It looks like the anode is 41" long according to the spec, so I could probably change it, but since the water is so clean after so many years, it has to be doing its job.

Jet sitter

Changed out the anode rod. There was about 4" of bare metal (core) on the old rod. Not bad for 12 years. Thanks Bill for the info.

Jet sitter

The old rod is probably a straight rod, but the replacement one that I purchased has joints as Gary said. Just bend the old rod if it's straight, NP.

Conedodger

The old rod is probably a straight rod, but the replacement one that I purchased has joints as Gary said. Just bend the old rod if it's straight, NP.
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Good info!

Legal Bill

Happy to help. looked at my new replacement heaters and was disappointed to see that the top cover has no anode access. The cover would have to be removed. Bummer.

dlq04

Another 3 years has past. We noticed some rust in the hot water, so I drained the tank this morning. Pretty nasty but it finally cleared up after several bucket loads. I paid $450 for it at a plumbing discount store and had an independent put it for $200. Certainly it owes me nothing. I thought I should probably start looking for a replacement. It seems the brand American is no longer around. In fact, looking at Consumers Report online they don't even mention a direct vent style. Heck, they do not even rank water heaters any longer they just talk about the different styles with no brand names. Boy, that's a lot help. The internet says 8 to 12 years is the average life these days, so my 23 and still working makes me want to ride it to the end........ or at least till we get past the holidays.

jukngene

19 years and still going.

windhund116

Good job! Maybe, you don't have too hard water. Mine died after 12 years. It weighed a TON, with all the calcium deposits, on the bottom. I had to cut the thing into pieces with a Sawzall, to get it out of the back yard.

Morris

You can also extend the life just by draining it every few years, depending on the sediment in your water supply. One house back we had a well and lots of crud in the water, so I drained it every couple years. Lots of stuff came out. I think it might make it more efficient too, but I'm not a plumber.