A friend of mine called, not getting as much hot water as they used to. Three bathrooms, and some shower were only minutes long. I asked her to check the pilot light over the phone, so she pulls the cover off and tells me there is flame. I find out the heater is over 10 years old, so working on it versus replacing it means she is better off with replacement. I run out the next day to measure tank height and start to drain the tank. The tank is setting in a drain pan, filled to the top of the drain with water. The moment I go into the furnace, water heater room, I hear the sound of rushing water like someone has a cold water tap on full. I put my fingers over the water heater pan drain, and you can hear water sucking around my fingers, it is absolutely dumping water. I'm amazed that showers could even be taken. I'm amazed that someone put their head near the floor, right where the water was leaking, rusty water dripping down, the sound of rushing water, and she's asking if I can fix it. When I look at the tank, it's leaning against the wall. Upon the removal of the tank, we can see that one of the legs has rusted off and is now bent. It had to have been leaking for months. I remember last Summer she was asking where she might look for water leaks, as she had high water bills. People, use your ears. Water makes sound when it runs. When you walk around the home hearing water running when everything is shut off, that's not a good or normal sound.
A water heater sitting in water. Look at the rust stains near the bottom
The feet or legs of the heater were rusting off; one had broken.
The heater turned out to be 15 years old when the serial number was checked.