Honestly, I’ve always wondered if people really notice the warning signs or just get used to them. That “pennies” smell is hard to ignore, though. Is it ever worth just replacing the anode rod and squeezing out another year or two, or is that just delaying the inevitable? I get not wanting to shell out for a new heater, but leaks are a nightmare... been there, done that, never again.
I get the temptation to just swap out the anode rod and hope for the best—been there myself. Thing is, if you’re already smelling that metallic “pennies” odor, it usually means the tank’s seen better days. Sometimes a new rod buys you a little time, but if there’s any sign of rust or leaks, it’s probably just kicking the can down the road. I tried stretching mine once and ended up with a flooded basement... not worth the stress or water waste, honestly.