Socket size to remove Suburban water heater anode rod

[markopolo]

You'll need a 1-1/16" socket to fit the head of the anode rod on a Suburban water heater.

[Barman]

I heard about a really good way to remove the anode rod. For those who carry a spanner wrench for wheel lug removal, this tool is supposed to work great to take out your anode rod.

[markopolo]

I know you're not supposed to use a torque wrench as a breaker bar but I had to the first time I removed the anode rod. It was so tight! My torque wrench is probably 30" long.

[markopolo]

Make the job easier if you use an extension.

[markopolo]

I tape a heavy piece of plastic in place to prevent water from sloshing down the side of the van and getting into the storage compartment when I drain the water heater.

[markopolo]

Here's my almost three year old anode rod.

[markopolo]

I usually tape a piece of rubber hose onto my Shopvac hose to vacuum out the water heater.

There's usually white calcium like deposits in there. Probably hard water.

[markopolo]

I saw this Tank Saver Flushing Tool at Camping World:



It's just a wand that you connect to a water hose and insert into the hole where the anode rod came out. Turn on the water and flush out the tank.

I said to my wife "I could make that." She looked at me and said "Buy it."

I don't hear those words often so I bought it

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Barman

I heard about a really good way to remove the anode rod. For those who carry a spanner wrench for wheel lug removal, this tool is supposed to work great to take out your anode rod.

Which one?
http://www.nextag.com/spanner-wrench/stores-html

[Mike]

Originally Posted by markopolo

I saw this Tank Saver Flushing Tool at Camping World:



It's just a wand that you connect to a water hose and insert into the hole where the anode rod came out. Turn on the water and flush out the tank.

I said to my wife "I could make that." She looked at me and said "Buy it."

I don't hear those words often so I bought it

Me neither. I have to over-analyze (normal for me) whatever it might be,
to the point where she can't take it any more, then I get the go ahead.
Tried, and proven effective.

BTW, here's my hot water tank clean out regime.
I set the bypass valves to "bypass" to seal the heater tank from the rest of the plumbing.
I then fill my garden hose with a few ounces of vinegar, then put the hose to the un-plugged
opening, and turn it on, until it starts to blow back.
Then I reinstall the plug, and drive it around for a few days to shake it up, like before dumping
the holding tanks, before I pull the plug again and blast the inside of the heater with more
pressurized water (garden hose spray nozzle) to rinse/flush it out.
Although I'm not a calcium/lime expert, I believe the majority of any gunk will settle in the bottom
of the tank due to gravity, much like your house's water heater tank, so as long as I can direct a stream
into the lower area of the tank I figure I'm getting most of it. Works pretty well, and I do get all kinds
of calcium-looking gunk out. I've been told vinegar can be added to your water system, in small amounts
to de-calcify it, if you do have a lot of minerals in your water.
Unless you've just bleached it, of course.