Depending on the composition of the anode rod, it likely would break off completely after so much corrosion buildup.
I've had to use a electric heating rod and a pail for hot water because my water heater broke, and every 3 uses I scrub it down with steel wool and polish the anode. It gets pretty crusty even with just three 25 minute cycles. Depends on the quality of your tap water too. Baffles me why companies don't put this disclaimer in the manuals, maybe they just want to sell more shampooers.
