It's done
Just from that little bit of corrosion?
You have some time, but it's only getting worse until it gives out.
Corrosion is really that bad?
Unless it been getting wet, they rust from the inside out, when you first start seeing mineral deposits from the evaporation. Though I'm torn now about this case that it might be spray foam overspray.
That looks to be foam overspray. Follow the seam and you can see the super thin layer.
That would be a weird spot for it to leak too considering the tank itself is likely 1 inch lower than that spot
Yup, that's what it is. Routinely see this on new heaters. Never seen this much though. And corrosion doesn't have that color or texture.
I only really know about gap filling foam, like Great Stuff-- the stuff on the water heater definitely isn't the same texture. Is that the same type of foam you'd use on a water heater?
The only time I've seen the foam is from it overflowing through cracks and joints like this. So I wouldn't really be able to compare the two.
It's super crumbly, so I don't think it's from overspray. My landlord replaced the connections on top recently, but they were leaking/condensating a bit for a week or two
You can see the corrosion under the paint. Foam can't get under the paint...
My thought was expanding foam that leaked out during its hardening process
Probably, this corrosion is on the external portion of the tank, so its either getting wet constantly from an external source, or it has a hole on the inside tank that is leaking out through the insulation to the outer tank.
yes
How come?
Just because.
If that’s corrosion it’s done if it’s insulation like it kind of looks like then you are fine
I'd also guess that's just a bad insulation job, but look at those fittings in the background, might be trouble.
Yucky shark bite females!
Itd be done from that little bit of corrosion?
You have to think that between that corrosion showing and the actual tank is like 2 or 3” of insulation so if you are seeing corrosion popping out from the side wall then your tank has long failed
Very suspicious about a leak on top. Most likely from top tappings - slight leak wicking into insulation and showing up where you are finding it.
Strip of that foil tape should cover up the issue
That's not corrosion. That's mineral scale left behind when water evaporates. You have a leak somewhere. Check the fittings at the top of the tank.
I agree with wild cat. It's insulation over spray from the manufacturer. See it often
Even if it hasn't always been there? Pretty sure it's developed within the past month
Outline the perimeter of foam with a fine sharpie. See if it grows. Also check the date of manufacturing on label to see approximate age of unit.
It's leaking. Microleak. Time to replace it
Look on the tank and see who made it and see if there's a phone number you can call and inquire about what this could be and what you could do about it
Appreciate the feedback everyone
I’m a licensed plumber in NC. That’s over spray for the insulation for the unit. If you want to know how old it is look on the serial numbers. Most brands have the year manufactured on the first two digits. Average life span is 8-11 years depending on water quality you could go higher. (Just because you have city water doesn’t mean it’s of good quality!) If on a well system be advised well conditions consistently change and i typically recommend to test the water yearly or every other year at the least. (Anything under a 6.8 will deteriorate your fittings,pipe, fixtures and old plumbing)
Bout 20 more years left in it.
That looks like spray foam to me. If water was showing up there it would be somewhere else as well
How's the anode rod?
Looks like foam, if you really want to confirm pick at it a little and feel if it’s foam. I see it every now and then on new water heaters.
it's not foam. Crumbles off easily, just like corrosion on a battery terminal
Ah, weird place for a leak but not great. I’d think it’s time to start saving up then. The problem is that if the corrosion is starting on the outside of the jacket then who knows what inside the shell looks like. Leaks don’t improve over time.
That's a goner. Replace it b4 ya have bigger issues. She's ready to come apart at the seams.
Looks like insulative foam. Pick at it a little bit to see if you can't tell from the texture if it's mineral deposits left from evaporation of water or if it's just insulation. Keep an eye on it to see if it spreads/grows.
Maybe because you’ve never flushed the water heater it’s probably full of sediment and corrosion inside. I will start off by flushing your water heater. Try to flush it out and that will help prolong the life of the water heater. What’s left of it
How old is the heater?
Yes, you need a tankless asap. Which do you prefer? Rinnai or Navien?
That's not corrosion.
They never long anymore. Get a new tank hank.
I've seen the insulation be like that from the factory, it's hard to tell in the Pic