Kenmore 153.582400, Use & Care Manual

20

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENT

If you lack the necessary skills required to service this water 
heater properly, or if you have dif

fi

 culty following the instructions, 

you should not proceed.  Have a quali

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 ed service technician 

perform the maintenance of this water heater.

 Anode Rod Inspection

See also

 “Smelly Water” on page 23.

Each water heater contains at least one anode rod, which will 
slowly deplete (due to electrolysis), prolonging the life of the 
water heater by protecting the glass-lined tank from corrosion. 
Adverse water quality, hotter water temperatures, high hot water 
usage, hydronic heating devices, and water softening methods 
can increase the rate of anode rod depletion. Once the anode rod 
is depleted, the tank will start to corrode, eventually developing 
a leak.

Certain water conditions will cause a reaction between the anode 
rod and the water. The most common complaint associated with 
the anode rod is a “rotten egg smell” produced from the presence 
of hydrogen sul

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 de gas dissolved in the water. CAUTION: Do 

not remove this rod permanently as it will void any warranties. A 
special anode rod may be available if water odor or discoloration 
occurs. NOTE: this rod may reduce but not eliminate water odor 
problems. The water supply system may require special 

fi

 ltration 

equipment from a water conditioning company to successfully 
eliminate all water odor problems.

Arti

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 cially softened water is exceedingly corrosive because the 

process substitutes sodium ions for magnesium and calcium ions. 

The anode rod should be inspected after a maximum of three 
years and annually thereafter until the condition of the anode 
rod dictates its replacement. 

NOTE:

 Arti

fi

 cially softened water 

requires the anode rod to be inspected annually.

The following are typical (but not all) signs of a depleted anode 
rod:

•  The majority of the rods diameter is less than 3/8”.
•  Signi

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 cant sections of the support wire (approx. 1/3 or        

   more of the anode rod’s length) are visible. 

If the anode rod shows signs of either or both it should be 
replaced (Figure 17).  

NOTE:

 Whether re-installing or replacing 

the anode rod, check for any leaks and immediately correct if 
found.

FIGURE  17

Follow these steps to replace the anode:
1.  Turn off power to the water heater.
2.    Shut  off  the  water  supply  and  open  a  nearby  hot  water                       
     faucet to depressurize the water tank.
3.  Drain approximately 5 gallons of water from tank. (Refer to  
     “Draining and Flushing” for proper procedures). Close drain  
     valve.
4.  Remove old anode rod.
5.  Use Te

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 on

®

  tape or approved pipe sealant on threads and  

     install new anode rod.
6.  Turn on water supply and open a nearby hot water faucet  
     to purge air from water system. Check for any leaks and  
     immediately correct any if found.
7.  Restart the water heater as directed in this manual.  

NOTE: The water heater will conduct a system diagnostic 
prior to operation.  See the Repair Parts Illustration for anode 
rod location.

 Te

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 on

®

 is a registered trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours 

and Company.

 Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve Operation

The temperature-pressure relief valve must be manually operated 
at least once a year.

The temperature-pressure relief valve must be manually operated 
at least once a year. Caution should be taken to ensure that 
(1) no one is in front of or around the outlet of the temperature-
pressure relief valve discharge line, and (2) the water manually 
discharged will not cause any property damage or bodily injury. 
The water may be extremely hot.