I actually did swap out the anode rod on mine a couple years back—figured I'd give it a shot since the heater wasn't too ancient yet. Honestly, getting the old one out was a whole ordeal (felt like wrestling Thor's hammer outta there, lol). It did seem to help with the rusty water issue for a while, but eventually the tank started leaking anyway. Maybe I waited too long? Wonder if anyone else had better luck with timing these replacements...
Yeah, swapping the rod can buy you some time, but honestly, once rust sets in it's usually downhill from there. I tried replacing mine early enough (or so I thought), and it still only delayed the inevitable by about a year. Considering the hassle and cost of repairs, sometimes just biting the bullet and getting a new heater makes more sense in the long run... at least that's been my experience.
"Considering the hassle and cost of repairs, sometimes just biting the bullet and getting a new heater makes more sense in the long run..."
Yeah, that's kinda where I'm stuck right now—do I keep patching it up or just suck it up and replace the whole thing? Also, how long do these things usually last anyway... asking for my wallet.
"Yeah, that's kinda where I'm stuck right now—do I keep patching it up or just suck it up and replace the whole thing?"
Totally understandable to feel stuck here... water heaters typically last around 8-12 years, give or take depending on maintenance and water quality. If you're seeing rust-colored water, that's usually a sign corrosion has set in, and patching might only buy you limited time. Honestly, replacing it sooner rather than later can save headaches (and possibly water damage) down the road. Better safe than sorry, especially when it comes to plumbing stuff.
Went through something similar last year... kept patching mine up thinking I'd save money, but after the third fix in six months, finally bit the bullet and replaced it. Wish I'd done it sooner—would've saved myself a lot of hassle.
