Sanitizing water tanks and anode rod corrosion in the water tank

[jcschultz01]

Sanitized the water tank today for 2025. To drain the tank I use a piece of PVC pipe (2" dia I think)that fits into the water dump valve. I made it long enough to reach the ground with the trailer in leveled position. I then cut a hole in the bottom side of the PVC pipe so the water would drain into the sewer hose which just went out to the lawn. Nice way to get all that water away from the trailer and easy to do. See two pictures. Sneak up on the length so it stays in place with the sewer hose underneath but you can still pull it out.
The other thing I noticed when I was draining the water tank was flakes of corriosion in the hot water tank. I assume from the anode rod. Usually I just unscrew the anode rod and walk away. This time I had a short piece of clear hose to drain the water away from the trailer. Worked well but the corrosion flakes were unexpected. See picture of some of the smaller pieces in my hand.

I still have rod left - when should I change it? Probably has 3 years of camping trips on it.

 

[Redapple63]

Anode Rod should be an annual replacement

 

[huntr70]

Anode rod replacement is subjective to the condition of the water.

I am on the 4th year on mine, and still plenty left. The water where we go is pretty good.

It will work fine up until the only thing left is the steel rod down the middle.

They do make hose attachments that you can push in the drain to wash the debris out.

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