Replacing of HWS Sacrificial Anodes Gold Coast
HWS storage tanks installed by Whywait Plumbing all have sacrificial anodes that require replacing
Most of us know we have a hot water service. We turn on the hot water tap in the shower or sink and in a short time we have hot water.
Unless we have no hot water we take very little notice of the hot water tank. That is of course until the tank leaks and it needs replacing. On average hot water tanks have a life expectancy of 7 to 16 years but did you know that life expectancy can be doubled very easily by some simple maintenance such as flushing the system and replacing the sacrificial anode.
Every type of hot water storage tank that is manufactured from steel with a vitreous enamel lining comes complete with a sacrificial anode installed. These tanks are electric, gas, solar and heat pump hot water storage systems manufactured by Rheem, Dux, Vulcan, Quantum, Solahart, Aquamax, Everhot, Rinnai, Radiant, Stiebel Eltron, Saxon, Beasley, Conergy plus many other tanks that are privately labeled.
The sacrificial anode tends to have a life expectancy equal to the warranty period of your hot water storage tank.
The photo to the left illustrates perfectly the difference between an anode that has been in use for 5 years and a brand new anode.
A sacrificial anode is manufactured from magnesium and is used in a hot water storage tank because when two dissimilar metals are connected together and are both in contact via an electrolytic solution, a weak electric current is formed. This weak current produces a cathodic/anodic reaction between the two metals. Therefore, one metal will corrode in order to protect the second metal which is why the magnesium sacricial anode corrodes. The atoms of the less stable metal form a protective coating over the more stable metal. This is why the steel tank will not corrode while the magnesium sacricial anode is intact.
Essentially the two dissimilar metals are the anode and the mild steel hot water tank. These two metals are connected at the anode fitting at the top of the hot water tank. The electrolytic solution is the potable water in the hot water tank. The vitreous enamel lining separates the water from the mild steel hot water tank, preventing the electrolytic circuit from being complete.
However, if any small areas of steel become exposed, protection is given by the sacrificial anode. The anode provides protection by forming a protective coating over the exposed areas of mild steel, extending the life of the hot water tank.
The rate of protection depends on water quality, level of total dissolved solids (TDS) and water temperature. The most suitable type of anode material is determined by the water quality and in South East Queensland that is magnesium.
Your Hot Water Service – Installed, Maintained & Serviced With Care…By Whywait Plumbing.
Whywait Plumbing guarantee a long hot shower when we install, maintain and service your hot water service
We don’t just install hot water systems. We know them inside and out. Which means we can help them run better, last longer, and provide you with the ultimate in energy savings with routine maintenance and repairs when you need them?
Quite Simply to extend the life of your hot water storage tank you need to have the sacrificial anode replaced before it stops providing protection to your hot water tank.
So take it from Whywait, if your hot water storage tank is over 5 years old the smart and efficient option is to get it completely serviced, and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions to help you understand how easy it is to double the life of your tank.
Gold Coast & Tweed: (07) 5580 4311
