Leaking water heater

[DMBlumus]

My water heater is leaking at the drain valve(?) Every time I tighten it the leaking stops for a few days, then starts again. My question is should I get a new cap for the valve or am I out of luck ? Water heater is 6 years old.

[S. TumanParticipant]

: My water heater is leaking at the drain valve(?) Every time I tighten it the leaking stops for a few days, then starts again. My question is should I get a new cap for the valve or am I out of luck ? Water heater is 6 years old.HELLO S!POSSIBLY YOU ARE TOO LATE, BUT PROBABLY NOT. I DIDNT GRASP IF THE LEAK IS WITHIN THE VALVE OR EXTERNAL TO IT. IF WITHIN THE HOSE BIBB, YOU CERTAINLY SHOULD BE ABLE TO MERELY REPLACE IT. JUST GET A REAL BRASS ONE FOR LESS THAN $5.00. YOU NEEDNT DRAIN THE TANK FOR REPLACEMENT. JUST CLOSE OFF THE INLET VALVE [ON TOP, WHERE COLD WATER ENTERS THE TANK]. YOU CAN NOW UNSCREW THE BIBB BY HAND (POSSIBLY NEED TO USE A PIPE WRENCH, IF TIGHT). WEAR GLOVES AS THE WATER IS HOT, OF COURSE. YOU SHOULD LOSE LESS THAN TWO GALLONS OF WATER BEFORE WATER STOPS RUNNING OUT. MERELY SCREW THE NEW BRASS BIBB INTO PLACE. [YOU MAY WISH TO USE PIPE DOPE TO GUARANTEE A GOOD SEAL.NOW THAT THIS MINOR PROBLEM IS SOLVED, YOU HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR A MAJOR PROBLEM IF YOU HAVE A [TYPICAL] FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY TANK — YOU ARE OVER THE WARRANTY, RIGHT? I WOULD IMMEDIATELY OBTAIN A NEW ANODE, REMOVE THE OLD ANODE AND REPLACE IT WITH THE NEW ONE. THIS SHOULD GIVE YOU A MINIMUM OF FIVE MORE YEARS LIFE. YOU SHOULD FIND THE ANODE ON THE TOP OF THE TANK, AS A 1 1/16 NUT, PROBABLY LOCATED BEHIND THE FLUE (GAS HEATER), AND PROBABLY COVERED OVER W/INSULATION. FIND IT? IF THIS ISNT REPLACED AT THE END OF THE ANODES LIFE, THE TANK WILL *BEGIN* TO RUST. IN A VERY SHORT TIME, THE TANK WILL BE RUSTED THRU. THEN YOU GET TO INVEST IN A NEW HEATER. LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES, OK? GOOD LUCK!!DARREL

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