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Remove the plastic cap to expose the anode rod. If it's not clearly visible down to the tank shell, take a flat blade screwdriver and carefully remove the insulation and expose the anode rod head. Using a 1 and 1/16th-inch socket, remove the anode rod by turning it counterclockwise.
Likewise, how do you change a anode rod?
- Turn Off Water and Fuel Supply (Gas or Electric) Locate the gas line near the bottom of your water heater.
- Drain Some Water. Drain a couple gallons of water—about 10% of the tank's volume.
- Locate Anode Rod. Now, try to find the anode rod.
- Loosen the Hex Head and Remove the Anode Rod.
- Install New Sacrificial Anode Rod.
Also to know, when should anode rods be replaced?
When the rod itself becomes so corroded that it can no longer do its job, the tank soon rusts out, leaks and needs replacement. However, if you replace your water heater anode rod before it fails, about every five years, you can double the life of your water heater.
This is bad: it will cause cracks in the heater's glass lining, allowing the underlying metal to rust and drastically shortening the life of the unit. Anode rods have a life expectancy of about five years, but as always it really depends on the quality of your water and how much of it travels through the heater.