This kind of anode screws into the hot-water port and can either replace another combo rod or augment a hex-head anode. Fits all residential water heaters with 3/4-inch plumbing. Anode can be cut to fit shorter tanks or a link can be snapped off to achieve that. Dip tube will be custom-made.

• The anode will keep your tank from rusting and breaking.
• The dip tube and drain assembly control sediment buildup by forcing water and sediment to swirl around the bottom of the tank and out.
• The ball valve has a relatively large diameter opening and a straight path, which make it harder for big sediment chunks to clog it, and easier to clear it if they do.
• The cap keeps the unwary from flooding the water heater space by accidentally opening the ball valve.
• The tape will make it easier to get the anode out to check its consumption down the road.
• The book will not only guide you to the installation of parts, but help you understand and resolve other water heater problems.
• The sticker will help you remember when you installed the parts.

• Pipe wrench
• adjustable pliers
• drill with 7/8-inch hole saw
• basin wrench
• hammer
• flat-bladed screwdriver.

A Warning

If you buy one of these, don't play with it. These are regular anodes that have been milled down to the core wire on a lathe. That wire can be bent and straightened about three times, then it snaps.

The products offered here are designed to make water heaters last longer, or solve specific problems. Installation is potentially do-it-yourself, but if you have the least doubt about your abilities, we suggest that you obtain expert help.

This page is for shipping to ALASKA or HAWAII by Priority Mail. If you are in the continental United States or Canada, go back to the main cart and order from there or the details page for your area.

1. If you contemplate adding an anode to a new tank, things have gotten complicated recently. The combo anode will not work in heaters made in 2005 or later by Rheem/Ruud/Richmond/GE. Also, if there are two anodes in a tank, they need to be of the same metal. Otherwise, the magnesium rod will be consumed more rapidly in the presence of an aluminum one and you won't get as long a life. On the other hand, if the tank is five years old or more, having dissimilar metals is less of an issue, since the original one will likely be largely consumed. All the lower-end heaters by A.O. Smith, American, State, Kenmore, Whirlpool and Maytag have aluminum anodes. We've thought about stocking aluminum combo rods, but we've preached against aluminum for 15 years and won't change now just to make a buck. You still have the option of removing the aluminum hex anode that comes with the tank and installing two magnesium anodes. A plus is that ours are thicker than factory ones.

2. Measure your water heater from the top to the drain valve and send the measurement to us at mail@waterheaterrescue.com. There are a few tanks that are shorter than average that require a shorter curved dip tube. Also tell us the brand of your heater.

3. If you're getting a maximum-insulation tank, as we recommend, tell us so that we can include a 4-inch drain valve nipple.

If you have any doubts about what you're ordering, be sure and e-mail your questions to us. We want you to order only what you need!
mail@waterheaterrescue.com