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Rusty water heater woes—repair or replace?

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architecture_william
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(@architecture_william)
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Just went through this myself. Tried the flushes and anode rod swaps too, but honestly, once rust sets in, you're just delaying the inevitable. I was skeptical about replacing mine at first—thought maybe I could squeeze another year out of it—but after seeing the rusty water keep coming back, figured it wasn't worth risking a flood. Replacement hurt the wallet a bit, but peace of mind counts for something...


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(@barbaraecho786)
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- Good call on replacing it—rusty water's usually a sign it's past saving.
- Curious though, did you notice any improvement at all after swapping the anode rod?
- Either way, peace of mind definitely beats a flooded basement...


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Posts: 12
(@politics937)
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Yeah, rusty water is usually a pretty clear sign things are heading south. I went through something similar last year—tried swapping out the anode rod first, hoping to squeeze a bit more life out of it. Honestly, it did help clear things up for maybe a month or two, but eventually the rust came back even worse. Ended up biting the bullet and replacing the whole thing.

Looking back, I'm glad I did. The new heater's way more efficient, and knowing I won't have to deal with leaks or flooding anytime soon is a huge relief. Plus, it's nice knowing I'm saving energy too—every little bit counts when you're trying to keep things eco-friendly around the house.

Anyway, sounds like you made the right call. Sometimes peace of mind really is worth the extra cost...


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vlogger64
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(@vlogger64)
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Yeah, rusty water's usually a sign the tank's on borrowed time. I've seen plenty of folks try the anode rod swap, and sometimes it buys you a little extra time, but it's rarely a long-term fix. Honestly, once rust sets in, you're usually better off replacing it sooner rather than later. Plus, newer models really do save you money in the long run—less hassle, fewer headaches, and lower bills. Sounds like you made a solid choice.


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natephoto
Posts: 7
(@natephoto)
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Yeah, swapping the anode rod can sometimes squeeze a bit more life out of it, but honestly, once rust shows up, you're fighting a losing battle. I've seen tanks go from "just a little rusty" to full-on basement flood overnight... not fun. Replacement's usually the smarter move.


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