Water heater anode threads
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Lead Driver
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Water heater anode threads
Mine are all gunky with calcium build up. I really don't feel like going out to buy a die to rethread, so what tool can be used to clean the treads? Seems weird that the threads are all gunked up too.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2022
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That's odd. I remove mine a time or two yearly, esp when winterizing and have never bothered to add more teflon tape to mine when reinstalling, no leaks, no gunk on mine, at least last time I checked it. If the threads are gunked up would that point to a potential leak of some sort maybe?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
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I'd think a wire wheel or even a wire brush would clean the threads. I've had the same experience as cheesehead...never get build up and never use sealant. I remove the anode to drain the tank 3-4 times per year. OP may want to use sealant to prevent future buildup.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
very odd, but a tap of that size if you have one.
I just run my anode rod in and out,. I have started to drain my water heater every time we come home now and I remove the rod.
I don't know how long a water heater is good for but trying to prevent some buildup inside the heater.
I just run my anode rod in and out,. I have started to drain my water heater every time we come home now and I remove the rod.
I don't know how long a water heater is good for but trying to prevent some buildup inside the heater.
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From: Media PA
I would go in with a 90 degree pick to knock as much of the gunk off as possible then use a small round wire brush, brass is less aggressive than steel to finish the cleanup. And since you are getting gunk buildup I would use Teflon tape on the plug threads to try to get some isolation and fill where there may have been some small amount of material loss.
Laughing Gas
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From: Middle TN
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
The port on my water heater is opened twice a year to install an anode rod in the early spring and install the OEM plastic plug in the late fall after sanitizing and winterizing. If I were in your situation, I would use a brass brush, dental pick, nylon brush and a good rinse. That should get out enough of the calcium build up to securely install another anode rod.
Last resort would be to soak the threads with CLR. That stuff is very toxic though, so you would have to be sure to get all remaining chemicals and "no good stuff" out of the port and tank before putting it back into service.
Last resort would be to soak the threads with CLR. That stuff is very toxic though, so you would have to be sure to get all remaining chemicals and "no good stuff" out of the port and tank before putting it back into service.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Whittier, CA
You can buy a 3/4 NPT tap for $10.
But if an anode came out, a new one should go in without any problem. And why install a used one? They are cheap too.
But if an anode came out, a new one should go in without any problem. And why install a used one? They are cheap too.
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Lead Driver
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Ugh, this just reminded me that I have not done this yet and we are heading out to the Dells tomorrow with it. Going to be busy when I get home from work. I have a spare anode, bought a 2 pack, BUT, I put it away. Y'all know what Put it away means.
For those who don't, its been lost. It is somewhere.
For those who don't, its been lost. It is somewhere.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Black Hills of SD
Ugh, this just reminded me that I have not done this yet and we are heading out to the Dells tomorrow with it. Going to be busy when I get home from work. I have a spare anode, bought a 2 pack, BUT, I put it away. Y'all know what Put it away means.
For those who don't, its been lost. It is somewhere.
For those who don't, its been lost. It is somewhere.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
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CLR and a wire brush cleaned it up. The anode only uses two threads! that explains why the rest of them were clogged with calcium. The Anode I have still has at least another season or two in it, so not concerned about where the spare is. I will find it someday and when I do, out to the trailer it goes. I found that the seal around the WH itself is not that great, while flushing it, water got inside. I need to remove the sealant around all the doors and redo them, it all turned hard as a rock.
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