Skip to main content

Stack Exchange Network

Stack Exchange network consists of 183 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers.

Visit Stack Exchange
Home Improvement
Asked
Modified today
Viewed 309 times
5

I have this new-to-me AO Smith water heater. I'm dutifully attempting to check/replace the anode, but can't figure out where the dang thing is. The top of the water heat has only one spot that's not spoken for by something else, and I don't believe it's it.

Notice how I was able to sink a full size screwdriver into it. Every other anode I've seen was pretty close to the top.

enter image description here

The rest of the top: enter image description here

The unit as a whole: enter image description here

This on the side isn't it, right? enter image description here

Info tag: enter image description here

edit: someone asked to see what that port in the back looked like: 10" deep of nothing but sidewall insulation: enter image description here

Someone else wanted to see the stickers on the top: enter image description here

Share
Improve this question
New contributor
Not-A-Plumber is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering. Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
  • FYI, this unit looks far too new to be concerned with the anode rod. Flush it annually, and if it gets to the 10 year mark, then get into it.
    isherwood
    –  isherwood
    2025-12-21 03:36:34 +00:00
    Commented yesterday
  • There is a sticker on the top that says "Relief Valve", with some more writing underneath that I can't read. What else is printed on that sticker?
    BowlOfRed
    –  BowlOfRed
    2025-12-21 07:54:53 +00:00
    Commented yesterday
  • I updated the main post with an image showing the stickers on the top. The "Relief Valve" sticker only has a numeric code under it.
    Not-A-Plumber
    –  Not-A-Plumber
    2025-12-22 02:16:03 +00:00
    Commented 9 hours ago

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
3

Here's the manual and parts list, if that helps. The pictures are pretty generic though. That side opening is usually for the pressure release valve, although yours seems to be on top. I had a different but similar model and that's where my anode rod was.

Can you look down the opening where you have the screwdriver and see past the insulation?

Share
Improve this answer
1
  • I don't know how to add a picture to a comment so I updated the original post with a photo looking down that back port. 10" down and it's all sidewall insulation.
    Not-A-Plumber
    –  Not-A-Plumber
    2025-12-22 02:14:37 +00:00
    Commented 9 hours ago
1

According to the layout in the link that @bill333 supplies, the anode is placed where the T/P valve is on your tank. T/P valve is usually on the side near the top. Mayhap that someone installed it in the wrong place.

Share
Improve this answer
4
  • assets.hotwater.com/damroot/Original/10004/185762-000.pdf Figures 3 and 4 suggest that some models may have an additional T&P on the top, so it's not impossible for that top-mount valve to be correct. But it certainly could be a screwup. OP needs to test that the valve is functional.
    BowlOfRed
    –  BowlOfRed
    2025-12-21 07:39:35 +00:00
    Commented yesterday
  • @BowlOfRed There's just a 3/4" hole under that valve, so it would work fine where it is.
    Rich
    –  Rich
    2025-12-21 14:30:02 +00:00
    Commented 21 hours ago
  • Is it possible it doesn't even have an anode rod? If I get a chance next week, I might check what's behind the T/P valve. Maybe redo it to be on the side?
    Not-A-Plumber
    –  Not-A-Plumber
    2025-12-22 02:17:21 +00:00
    Commented 9 hours ago
  • What is in that opening on the side of the tank? Can't tell from the photo. Is it just a plug? You could remove that and possibly take a look inside.
    Rich
    –  Rich
    2025-12-22 04:15:19 +00:00
    Commented 7 hours ago

Your Answer

Reminder: Answers generated by AI tools are not allowed due to Home Improvement Stack Exchange's artificial intelligence policy

Post as a guest

Required, but never shown

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.

Morty Proxy This is a proxified and sanitized view of the page, visit original site.