01-18-2012, 06:00 PM
Water heaters generally don't have "drain plugs". I assume you're talking about the plastic drain valve. It's extremely common for those cheapo plastic drain plugs to leak. Have a plumber/water heater installer replace it with a brass gate valve.
I'd suggest that you figure out why the pilot is going out before wasting money having the water heater changed out. It's probably due to either a leaking tank dripping on the pilot (unlikely but possible at 8.5 years if the sacrificial anode hasn't been changed out) or more likely due to a faulty gas valve or the wind blocker being left off by whoever lit the pilot last time. If the tank is leaking then you should replace the WH immediately. If not, it will likely be much cheaper to fix what is wrong with it. It should be fairly easy to diagnose why the pilot is going out.
Also, at 8.5 years of age your water heater is definitely due for an anode change (unless it is a 12 year warranty heater which has 2 anodes). Have a plumber replace it and the dip tube with stuff like this: http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/pages/W...o-Mag.html . That site also has advice on selecting a new water heater.
When he pulls the anode rod he can tell you if the old anode is completely gone or still has material remaining. If completely gone then your tank is at risk of failure. If material is still remaining the tank is almost certainly fine.
I'd suggest that you figure out why the pilot is going out before wasting money having the water heater changed out. It's probably due to either a leaking tank dripping on the pilot (unlikely but possible at 8.5 years if the sacrificial anode hasn't been changed out) or more likely due to a faulty gas valve or the wind blocker being left off by whoever lit the pilot last time. If the tank is leaking then you should replace the WH immediately. If not, it will likely be much cheaper to fix what is wrong with it. It should be fairly easy to diagnose why the pilot is going out.
Also, at 8.5 years of age your water heater is definitely due for an anode change (unless it is a 12 year warranty heater which has 2 anodes). Have a plumber replace it and the dip tube with stuff like this: http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/pages/W...o-Mag.html . That site also has advice on selecting a new water heater.
When he pulls the anode rod he can tell you if the old anode is completely gone or still has material remaining. If completely gone then your tank is at risk of failure. If material is still remaining the tank is almost certainly fine.