Good points there—replacement usually makes sense. But if money's tight, squeezing another year out with a new rod isn't always crazy. Did that once myself... bought me enough time to save up comfortably for the replacement. Just gotta keep an eye on it.
Been there, done that... nothing wrong with buying some extra time if you're careful. I once stretched mine out for almost two years with a new rod and some crossed fingers, lol. Just keep an eye out for leaks or weird noises, and you'll probably be fine. Good luck—may your showers stay warm and rust-free.
Stretching it out can work, sure, but honestly... once rust starts showing up, you're already on borrowed time. Replacing the rod might buy you months or even a year, but rust usually means corrosion inside the tank walls. I'd suggest checking the tank's bottom carefully—any dampness or soft spots? If yes, replacement is safer. Temporary fixes are fine, but water damage from a sudden leak isn't fun to deal with. Just my two cents from seeing plenty of flooded basements.
"Replacing the rod might buy you months or even a year, but rust usually means corrosion inside the tank walls."
Fair point, but I wouldn't jump straight to replacement just yet. Had a similar issue a few years back—switched to a tankless heater instead. No rust worries since, plus lower energy bills. Worth considering?
Tankless is definitely appealing, especially if you're already dealing with rust issues. But keep in mind, the upfront cost can be a bit steep, and depending on your home's setup, installation might get tricky (speaking from experience here...). Still, long-term savings and peace of mind are pretty tempting. If you're planning to stay put for a while, tankless could be a smart move—just weigh the initial investment against how long you expect to stick around.
