Can you fix a leaking water heater?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

GE water heater is from 2009 so a decent lifespan I think.

Water is leaking from the base of the ring that the heating element screws into. I was thinking of dremeling around the entire ring to create a "ditch" for surface area and then filling with either JB Weld or a Loctite industrial epoxy that I use a lot. See pic. Worth a try? Any other method? I might media blasted all around it too for a new surface everywhere.

[Bill Douglas]

Trouble is there is quite a lot of pressure going outwards that would push the JBWeld off the surface.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Thanks Bill, will that metal take a weld? I could MIG all around it.

[ChrisHamilton]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Trouble is there is quite a lot of pressure going outwards that would push the JBWeld off the surface.

I don't agree with that. If you did it with the pressure bled off, cleaned it well to get to clean bright steel, then epoxied it, waited till it cured to have it under pressure, it would hold. I did something similar years ago and it held. It would probably hold until more corrosion starts appearing in other places. Worth a shot.

[Chocaholic]

Honestly, it’s a 14 year old tank. If it’s leaking there, it will be leaking elsewhere soon. Would be a shame for 50 gallons of hot water to do its damage if it lets go. Time for a new tank.

[A930Rocket]

I always assumed the inside of a water heater was glass lined. I’m not sure of the connection between the metal fitting and the glass liner, but potentially welding could damage the glass liner.

For short term fix, I would clean the surrounding area, try some type of JB Weld filler and prime it to keep rust away.

Long-term solution, I would replace it

[MBAtarga]

This stuff will work!

[billybek]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Honestly, it’s a 14 year old tank. If it’s leaking there, it will be leaking elsewhere soon. Would be a shame for 50 gallons of hot water to do its damage if it lets go. Time for a new tank.

I would go with this advice.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by billybek

I would go with this advice.

yep, 14 years is a good run for a water heater. It's probably got other issues that we don't see.

[cstreit]

Id try epoxy while you find a new tank.

Welding will most certainly create new stresses and crack a glass liner.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Honestly, it’s a 14 year old tank. If it’s leaking there, it will be leaking elsewhere soon. Would be a shame for 50 gallons of hot water to do its damage if it lets go. Time for a new tank.

This. The average life of a water heater tank is 7-10 years if it isn't flushed on a regular basis. The tank itself is probably rusting. Time to replace before you have a flood.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

All great advice, thanks all for chiming in. So I'm going to "fix" it for fun but also pick up a new GE or Rheem if I can find a local small business that sells them and put that in next weekend which ought to be plug and play.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Should I get a tankless?

https://www.warrendaleappliances.com/products/GE-Appliances/ge/ge04snlpdg.html

[A930Rocket]

That model you linked is for under a sink, etc.

Tankless is nice though.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Should I get a tankless?

https://www.warrendaleappliances.com/products/GE-Appliances/ge/ge04snlpdg.html

How big is your place?
How hard is your water?
Is your water heater gas or electric?

[billybek]

Installing those is a tankless job...

I'm here all week...

[masraum]

Originally Posted by billybek

Installing those is a tankless job...

I'm here all week...

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by masraum

How big is your place?
How hard is your water?
Is your water heater gas or electric?

This is for work. washing machine goes 3X a week, use a lot of hot water in the washout sink when cleaning polished window frames. Electric. Water comes from Cambridge reservoir.

Found this:
MWRA's drinking water is soft. If you are an MWRA customer, you probably don't need to use special water softeners for your clothes - or dishwashing machines. You do not need a water softener. Water's "hardness" and "softness" is due to its concentration of minerals –calcium and magnesium. The lower the mineral concentration, the softer the water is. MWRA's drinking water has a hardness of approximately 16 milligrams per liter, or 1 grain per gallon. When using water that is considered soft you do not need to use as much dishwashing soap, laundry detergent, or other soaps. Many new dishwashers allow you to set the hardness of the water so that you do not need to use as much soap in comparison to areas that have hard water.

BMW bumper in sink which is just a Boston tree planter on it's side. Polish, wash, polish, wash...

[rwest]

Hi Shaun,

If you only have electric available, you’ll probably want to stay with a tank. Tankless takes a lot of energy to heat water up that quick and you either need gas or crazy high voltage.

Happy New Year, is finishing the 928 on your resolution list?
Rutager

[juanbenae]

buy a new water heater and move on. how do you light the piolet with alligator arms?

if you truly rode that horse since 2011 let her go now in peace....

the next one will only last 7 years...