Okay, I just noticed something weird today. Went down to the basement to grab some stuff, and there's this little puddle of water right under my heater. Not huge, but enough to make me go "um, that doesn't look right." It's an older gas water heater, maybe 8-9 years old now. Never really had any issues before, so I'm a bit puzzled.
I wiped it up thinking maybe it was just condensation or something random, but checked again a few hours later and yep, there's more water. Seems like it's slowly seeping out from somewhere underneath or around the bottom edge. I tried shining a flashlight around but couldn't quite pinpoint exactly where it's coming from.
To be honest, plumbing isn't exactly my strong suit—I'm more of a "duct tape fixes everything" kinda person (don't judge lol). So I'm wondering, is this something minor that I could maybe patch up or tighten myself? Or is this one of those "call-a-professional-ASAP-before-your-basement-turns-into-a-swimming-pool" situations?
Also, if it helps at all, I haven't noticed any changes in hot water supply yet. Shower still feels nice and hot, no weird noises or anything out of the ordinary besides the leak itself. But I mean... leaks aren't usually good news, right?
If anyone's dealt with something similar or has some tips on what to look for or try first, I'd definitely appreciate the advice.
"Seems like it's slowly seeping out from somewhere underneath or around the bottom edge."
Had something similar happen with one of my rentals last year. Small puddle, thought it was nothing major at first, but turned out the tank itself had a tiny rust hole forming at the bottom. Unfortunately, once the tank starts leaking, there's usually no easy DIY fix—it's a sign the tank's on its way out. You might want to check the pressure relief valve first, just in case it's dripping down and making it look like the tank's leaking. But honestly, at 8-9 years old, you're probably looking at a replacement sooner rather than later. I waited too long thinking it wasn't serious, and ended up with a bigger mess and an emergency plumber bill. Better to deal with it now before it gets worse...
"Unfortunately, once the tank starts leaking, there's usually no easy DIY fix—it's a sign the tank's on its way out."
Gotta agree with this, unfortunately. Once you start seeing water pooling underneath, it's rarely something simple like a loose fitting or valve (though checking the pressure relief valve is definitely worth a quick look). Usually, it's the tank itself starting to rust through from the inside out. The problem is, by the time you notice water seeping, the damage has already been happening for a while.
I've seen plenty of people try to patch it up with epoxy or sealants, but honestly, that's just a temporary band-aid. The pressure and heat cycling inside a water heater tank will eventually blow through any quick-fix solution you throw at it. I had one homeowner insist on trying some "miracle" waterproof tape he saw on TV. Long story short, I was back there two weeks later replacing the whole unit anyway, and he had a nice little indoor pond going by then. 😅
At around 8-9 years old, you're right in that zone where water heaters tend to start giving out. Sure, some can push past a decade, but that's more luck than anything else. I'd say start budgeting for a replacement sooner rather than later. Better to plan it out calmly than scramble to find a plumber at 2 AM when your basement starts flooding (trust me, nobody enjoys those late-night calls).
One other quick thought—make sure it's actually coming from the heater itself. Occasionally, I've seen condensation from pipes or even small leaks from nearby fixtures trickle down and pool around the heater, making it look worse than it really is. Wipe it dry, keep an eye on it, and confirm the source before you commit to replacing anything.
