Leaking Water Heater

BigPat

I have a nearly 13 year old AO Smith 40 gal gas water heater that seems to have developed a leak at the bottom - it's coming from under the heater. It's not much water, doesn't even make it to the floor drain. What could be the problem and is it fixable short of replacing the heater?

Thanks in advance.

LateralConcepts

No, the tank is most likely rusted out. No way to fix it. Time to replace it.

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kenmac

at 13 yrs it's time to replace b-4 it goes. I worked on an old CRANE made gas water heater this week.50 gallon tank with a 180* temp setting on the T.stat. Don't see that on residental water heaters. That w.h must have been 50? yrs old. They just don't make them like they use to It needed T.couple replaced

COLDIRON

Just a heads up on what the other guys said. Replace it as soon as possible because the slow leak is just a sign, if you let it go too long it might just breakthrough or blowout causing major water damage. Do not let the subtle little leak continue.

Homerepairguy

To add to what the others advise about replacing your heater asap. If there is internal rust in your heater and you have copper pipes, the rust particles can settle in the copper pipes and cause a dissimilar metals problem with water as the electrolyte. This can result in pin hole leaks in the hot water copper pipes.

Replace the heater asap.

BigPat

Thanks all for the advice. We'll be buying a new one.

That opens up a new can of worms, though. Where do I buy it from (or maybe who do I avoid)? Big box or plumber? We'll be installing it, so I just need the unit.

Jackofall1

While you are waiting for an answer, do yourself a favor, go downstairs and turn the supply side of the tank off.

Installing yourself, big box stores or grainger you can check the prices out online, standard vented, or power vented, or maybe tankless. Personally I would go with a power vented heater.

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BigPat

Got a GE from Home Depot and got it installed. Learned quite a bit. Thanks all for your help!

COLDIRON

"Sounds like an excellent decision"