I get the appeal of swapping the anode rod—definitely cheaper and less wasteful. But I’m always a little paranoid about leaks or hidden rust damage. Last time I tried to stretch my old heater, it started dripping from the bottom a few months later... not fun mopping up at 2am. If you go the repair route, just keep an eye out for any weird noises or puddles. Sometimes peace of mind is worth a new tank, but yeah, no harm in trying the easy fix first.
Last time I tried to stretch my old heater, it started dripping from the bottom a few months later... not fun mopping up at 2am.
Man, I feel you on the late-night water heater drama. I swapped the anode rod on mine last year, hoping to squeeze out another winter, but I kept hearing this weird sizzling noise. Turned out there was a tiny leak I didn’t notice until it rusted out the base. Ended up replacing the whole thing anyway. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just better to bite the bullet and get a new one before it gets messy, but I get wanting to save some cash too.
I swapped the anode rod on mine last year, hoping to squeeze out another winter, but I kept hearing this weird sizzling noise.
That sizzling sound is never a good sign... Had a tenant call me once about “bacon noises” coming from their closet, turned out the water heater was leaking onto the burner. By the time I got there, the bottom was basically mush. I get trying to stretch it, but after seeing a few of these go south, I usually just replace them once they start showing rust or leaks. Cheaper than dealing with water damage and angry tenants at 3am.
That “bacon noises” description is too real, haha. I get wanting to squeeze a bit more life out of these old tanks, especially after swapping the anode rod, but once you start hearing
it’s usually a sign there’s water where it shouldn’t be. I tried patching one a few years back—ended up with a small flood anyway. Sometimes replacement really is the cheaper headache in the long run, even if it stings up front.weird sizzling noise
Yeah, the bacon noises are a dead giveaway something’s off. I totally get wanting to stretch the life of these things—nothing eco-friendly about tossing a giant metal tank before it’s really done. But once you’re hearing sizzle, it’s usually a sign there’s water leaking onto hot surfaces inside, and that’s not something a patch can really fix for long. I tried sealing up a pinhole leak with epoxy once (not my proudest DIY moment), and it bought me maybe a week before the whole bottom gave out.
If you’re worried about waste, there are some recycling programs for old heaters—scrap yards will often take them, and some cities have metal recycling days. Plus, newer models are way more efficient, so you’ll save energy (and money) over time. It stings to shell out for a new one, but honestly, it beats mopping up rusty water at 2am...
