08/27/2026
What's this? 🤔 It’s your water heater’s anode rod.
Usually made of magnesium, aluminum, or an aluminum-zinc alloy, the anode rod is designed to corrode so your steel water heater tank doesn’t. Think of it as the sacrificial bodyguard for the inside of your tank. Its intended purpose is to get eaten up by your water.
🔧 Check it about every 2–3 years—sooner if you have hard or aggressive water. Once the rod is mostly consumed, corrosion can begin attacking the tank itself, eventually leading to rust, leaks, and premature water-heater failure.
And that rotten-egg smell? 🥚🤢 Certain anode rods can contribute to hydrogen sulfide odors depending on the water chemistry and bacteria present.
A relatively inexpensive anode rod can help protect a very expensive water heater. 💧🔥
