Gang-

Over the last 24 hours we've noticed a small but persistent stream of water coming from our 40 gallon electric water heater. Its not heavy enough that you can see it flowing with the naked eye, but what was essentially a dry floor at midnight last night now has a little stream of water...

Some observations:

1) Nothing else is leaking above this area and the only thing also in this area is our furnace, which hasn't been turned on since March...

2) I see no visible sign of water dripping from a valve of any kind...

3) We still have hot water and plenty of it...

4) There are two small access panels on the front face of this unit. I removed the upper one and found what looks to be a tempurature settings and some insulation, which was dry...

5) Removing the lower access panel reveals another tempurature setting and again some insulation...HOWEVER, THIS INSULATION IS WET TO THE TOUCH...

6) There is a faint "water running" sound we can hear from the unit...

7) Its a Rheam "Standard" Water heater, and runs about 58" tall...It was here when we bought the house 3 years ago the unit was estimated to be 10-15 years at least...

Ideas, comments?

Is it repairable?

Is it best to replace it?

Thanks!

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Bill in Dayton

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 09-20-2008).]