If the air fix doesn’t work and you’re staring at a water-squirting valve, just buy a new tank. They cost about $100-$400, which is cheaper than a pump replacement or the therapy you’ll need from banging your head against a wet pipe. Installing one is straightforward if you can handle a wrench and a good YouTube tutorial, but be warned: old tanks are heavy and full of water. You’ll end up doing a sad, wet shuffle across your basement.
Pro tip: Always use Teflon tape on the threads of the new tank’s connection. You don’t want a “slow drip” that turns your crawl space into a swimming pool for spiders. Also, buy a slightly larger tank than you think you need. Your future self, who just took a 20-minute hot shower, will thank you.
