I moved into a house with an electric hot water heater. The heater is old (11 years) but works just fine. However, the top of the tank has extensive corrosion, especially around the connections for the pressure relief valve and water in/out connections. I just flushed the tank, and there didn't appear to be any sediment (the water was at least visibly clear the whole whole time). I can't figure out how to check the anode rod, as I can't find a nut on the top of the tank (but maybe it is obscured by all the corrosion).
Do I need to worry about this, since everything is working? Or could the corrosion weaken the tank and cause it to explode? Obviously, if the tank fails, I will replace it. But, I'm wondering if its condition is a safety hazard and I need to pre-emptively take care of it.
Best Answer
No matter what, it won't explode. Maybe a little bit of splat. But no boom. Ok, really, more of a squishing sound, the sound of your feet splashing through the puddle created when it fails. :)
There may well be an anode, connected to the input line. Or at least there was one, probably corroded away now.
Assuming a little water on the floor won't hurt anything, I would buy an inexpensive alarm that senses the presence of water on the floor. Its just a pair of contacts that set off a battery powered alarm when water bridges the gap. When it goes off, buy a new heater.
If some water in that area will be a problem, then the heater should be in a low pan that will catch a leak. If not, then consider a preemptive replacement, as this heater probably has only a few more years in it anyway.