Went through a similar ordeal myself a couple years back. I totally get the logic behind patching it up—seems cheaper at first glance—but honestly, after factoring in my time, stress, and repeated trips to the hardware store, I'm convinced replacing sooner rather than later is the smarter move.
The thing is, with water heaters, once rust starts showing up, it's usually a sign of deeper corrosion inside the tank. You can slap a patch or replace a valve and buy yourself a couple months, sure, but you're essentially delaying the inevitable. Plus, you're risking a bigger issue like a sudden leak or even flooding—been there, done that, got the soggy basement carpet to prove it...
Also, newer models are way more efficient. When I finally caved and replaced mine, my utility bill actually dropped noticeably. Didn't expect that, but it made the upfront cost sting a bit less. And let's not forget peace of mind—I didn't realize how much mental energy I was spending worrying about that old rusty tank until I didn't have to anymore.
But here's something I've been wondering about: anyone tried one of those tankless water heaters yet? I've heard mixed reviews—some swear by them for efficiency and endless hot water, but others say installation costs and maintenance headaches aren't worth it. Curious if that's a better option long-term, or if sticking with the traditional tank is still the way to go.
I get your point about replacing early, but honestly, it depends on your situation. A couple years ago, mine started rusting, and I decided to just replace the anode rod. Cost me around $40 and bought me another three years without issues. Sure, replacement is inevitable eventually, but sometimes a quick fix can buy you valuable time if you're tight on cash or planning to move soon. As for tankless, I've heard installation costs can offset those efficiency savings for years...might not always be worth it.
