The other day I noticed our wh wasn't heating like it normally does, so I check and sure enough it seems to have burst so I bought a new one, I installed it and everything seemed okay until a couple of days later. There is a small amount of water coming from under the plastic collar around the cold water inlet, never had one do this and the cold water pipe is getting warm. Is this new WH leaking? I am wondering if I tightened the new connections to tight and damaged the unit. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated

If it's coming around that collar then I'd say you drew the short straw on a brand new WH

Sure it's not a slow leak from the joint above....?? Dry it off the wrap some bath tissue around the joint the check to see it's wet after awhile. .02

I've got a used but working electric (I'm pretty sure its electric) WH in my appliance storage if they stiff you on warranty. It's yours if you want if that'll help you out just let me know

It isn't the joints above. That was the first thing I checked. It is leaking under the collar. This will be the last Rheem I ever buy. We bought the warranty but it is probably going to be a hassle getting another new water heater. Thnx

Mine was doing that and then the pop off valve stayed on. I had to much pressure and had to add a expansion tank. Fixed the issue.

Is water in your drip pan...??

Mighty fine offer of you Dk!

Sorry DK I meant to say thanks for the offer. There is no water in the pan, only on top. I do not have an expansion tank, never had one, never needed one

No problem, offer still stands, I know expansion tanks are code now if I'm not mistaken but if it's leaking, it's leaking, expansion tank ain't gonna fix that. You may can try n put a pipe wrench on it and either remove it and put some pipe dope on it or tighten it. Disclaimer: I've never had to fool with the stock nipple coming out of the tank so do this at your own risk!

Thanks for the advice fellas. I am going call Rheem and speak with them, hopefully we can come to a good resolution

Had a neighbor give me one that was only a couple years old. Didn't really want it but stuck it in the barn. The next year mine went out. Came in handy.

This morning I call Rheem, a nice young man answered and begin to troubleshoot, after we spoke I thought that can't be the problem, he said according to his troubleshooting guide the Anode was at fault. I thought it was the cold water nipple. So I hung up and proceeded to remove the insulation around the anode and low and behold I heard hissing. I was about to use my impact wrench tor remove the anode but decided to try a socket and breaker bar, the stupid anode was so loose I could have taken it out with a regular ratchet. I put some teflon tape on the threads and re-installed, seems to have fixed the issue. I am going to monitor it over the next few days.

OK. What is an Anode....??

The anode is a rod that sits inside the tank, it is sacrificial and will rust away but in doing so it helps to prevent your tank from rusting. Once a year I flush the tank and check the anode, replace as necessary

New one on me. Thanks

Glad you got it fingered out

Does it have wires connected to it.....??

No... just a magnesium (usually, can be aluminum or zinc) rod that threads into the top of the WH (it's like a sacrificial anode on an outboard motor on a boat). Some are sectioned into 3 or 4 pieces on a SS wire so they can be installed where there's little headroom


https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Lightning-Rod-Original-3-4-in-x-3-in-Nipple-Aluminum-Zinc/5001418317

So it's attacked to the nipple water connection... never knew that. Never to old to learn. 👍🏻