[HayZee518]

by the "down rod" do you mean the sacrificial anode that screws into the tank? this is nothing more than a zinc rod that "coats" the tank if a scratch develops on the inside of the liner. or do you mean the "dip tube" that channels the cold water to the bottom of the tank? free ions of zinc in solution wouldn't block your faucet, I'd be more inclined to believe mineral deposits from hard water. are your lines galvanized iron? this would explain clogs inside. scale builds up within galvanized pipes. the mineral deposits wouldn't have much effect on copper lines.