"If your heater's already rusty inside, replacement is probably your best bet."
Good points here, but before jumping straight to replacement, have you checked the anode rod yet? I've had situations where swapping out a corroded anode rod bought me another couple years. It's not a permanent fix if rust is already extensive, but could be worth a quick inspection. Anyone tried this and seen noticeable improvement, or was it just delaying the inevitable...?
I've tried the anode rod swap a couple times, and honestly, it's hit or miss. Once it bought me about 18 months extra, but another time the rust was already too far gone and I ended up replacing the heater anyway within six months. If you're seeing significant rust already, you're probably just kicking the can down the road. Might be worth a quick look, but don't get your hopes up too high...
"If you're seeing significant rust already, you're probably just kicking the can down the road."
Fair point, but I'd argue it depends on the heater's age and your water quality. If it's relatively new (under 6-7 years), swapping the anode rod and flushing the tank thoroughly might still buy you decent time. Also, installing a powered anode rod instead of the standard magnesium/aluminum ones can sometimes halt corrosion more effectively. Worked for me once, got another 3 years out of mine before replacement became inevitable...
Good points about the anode rod, but have you checked the tank itself closely yet? Sometimes rust-colored water isn't just from the rod—could be sediment buildup or even corrosion at the tank seams. If you're seeing rust spots or dampness around fittings, that's usually a sign it's past saving. How's your water pressure been lately...noticed any drops or weird noises when heating kicks in? Those can be subtle hints it's time to bite the bullet and replace.
Good checklist there, hadn't thought about tank seams yet. A couple things I'm wondering:
- Is sediment buildup something you can realistically flush out yourself, or is that more of a pro job?
- Also, if pressure seems okay but there's occasional popping noises...is that normal aging or a bigger red flag?
