Sacrificial anode (anode rod)
Also called: anode rod, sacrificial anode, water heater anode, magnesium anode
A sacrificial anode is a metal rod fitted inside a hot-water tank that is designed to corrode instead of the tank. Being a more reactive metal, it's attacked by the water first, protecting the steel tank from rusting through. Over time the anode is eaten away — that's its whole job — so it needs checking and replacing every few years, sooner in the UAE where hard water speeds up corrosion. A neglected, fully-depleted anode is a common reason a water-heater tank starts to rust, leak or eventually stop delivering hot water and fail early. When your heater is serviced it's a cheap, easily-overlooked part worth inspecting; if it's spent, a licensed plumber can replace it before the tank itself suffers.
Related terms
Stopcock (main water shut-off) & isolation valves
The main valve that shuts off your home's water supply — plus the smaller isolation valves under fixtures. Know where yours is before a leak forces you to find it.
P-trap
The U-bend under every sink and drain that blocks sewer smells from rising into your home.
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