Couldn’t agree more about the rod swaps making a huge difference. I’d add—don’t forget to drain a few gallons off the bottom of your tank every year or two. Sediment buildup is a silent killer, especially in areas with hard water. And, if you’re working on a really old tank, be careful not to overtighten things when putting them back together. Threads can be fragile after a decade or more... seen too many folks crack fittings and end up with leaks that could’ve been avoided.
Sediment buildup is a silent killer, especially in areas with hard water.
Yeah, I’ve seen tanks where the bottom’s basically full of gritty sludge. Makes the element work overtime and wears stuff out way faster. I’d say don’t skip checking the pressure relief valve either—had one stick open on me once and it was a mess. And totally agree about not cranking things down too hard... learned that lesson with a snapped drain valve last winter.