Cannot get the anode rod out this is a new heater just in stalled it my self i had that rotten egg smell can you help i have new rodwater
Just replacing the rod with the same thing will not get rid of the odor. You can sometimes lessen it by using an aluminum rod instead of the magmesium rod but you lessen the protection your tank has. You could install a powered anode ( a little over $200 ) that would do a beter job. The other options are softening the water (but then you have more corosive water), installing a filter system ( filters can get expensive ) chlorinating the water ( again more corosive ), or removing and leaving the rod out ( this lowers the life of the heater and voids warranties ) I would consider the powered anode over the other choices.
Alot of these are very hard to break loose...they make a special tool that uses a torque multiplier and braces againt the tank for leverage, but I wouldn't think you would want to buy one- they are about $600. If using a breaker bar with a 3 or 4 foot pipe and a 6 point socket does not break it free you can try this: drain a few inches of water out of the tank and heat the hex part of the anode with a torch. Then pour some parafin on the thread are- it will get into the threads and may help you break it loose. Any way you do it is going to require some force. Good luck
Problem started with rotten egg smell. I too used a quart of hydrogen peroxide (for my 40 gall electric) - which fixed the problem. I called Whirlpool (1.877.817.6750) and they sent me a new anode free, but I paid the $8 S/H)
I tried everything to loosen the hex head, again called Whirlpool who said they recommend an air wrench at 200 psi (failing which they would replace the heater!!) I tried again with some WD40 and my compressor putting out a little over 100 psi. Bingo. It worked a charm. The anode was nasty.
Turn everything off and drain off some water first and try not to wet the fiberglass insulation. Good Luck.
Same problem. Same steps to fix. Mine was EXTREMELY tight from the factory. I used a 1/2 inch drive breaker bar with a 1 1/16 socket and had my father hold the water heater while I tapped the end with a rubber mallet. Once it budged just a little then I could turn it with the ratchet. I shocked the system with Hydrogen Peroxide then installed a new zinc rod from the local plumbing supply store. Neither Lowes or Home Depot carried Zinc compound rods. Good Luck.
We run into this all the time. Just pull the rod out and use a galvanized plug in the hole or cut the anode rod off and reinsert. Replacing the rod will not keep the problem from coming back.
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i put a soc on a 12in pipe can not loosen rod is it welded or just tight or some kind of lock glue on it i even tried to tap with a hammer i have a 3/4 soc on a 1 1/16 in soc
what is preventing removal? space or locating what you need to remove? The anode rod is normally a fitting (looks like a hex) in the top of the heater, or is attachced to the inlet or outlet fitting, need better description of the problem
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