Rheem Rheem Performance 40 Gal. 4500-Watt 6-Year Tank Electric Water Heater LEAKING Error Fix: Water Heater Leaking

Error code LEAKING on the Rheem Rheem Performance 40 Gal. 4500-Watt 6-Year Tank Electric Water Heater means: Water Heater Leaking. Water is pooling around the base of the water heater. Identify the source: (1) Tank body leak (bottom, sides, or welds) — if the tank itself is leaking, it has corroded through and the entire water heater must be replaced. Tank leaks CANNOT be repaired or welded. (2) Inlet/outlet fitting leak — the threaded nipples at the top of the tank may be leaking. Tighten or replace fittings. (3) T&P (Temperature and Pressure) relief valve dripping — this valve on the side of the tank may drip if household water pressure exceeds 80 PSI or if the valve is faulty. Check water pressure with a gauge. Install a thermal expansion tank if pressure is high. Replace the T&P valve if it drips at normal pressure. (4) Drain valve leak — the valve at the bottom may drip. Tighten the valve or attach a cap to the hose outlet. If the tank is more than 6-8 years old and leaking from the body, replacement is the only option.

The most successful fix is "Replace Water Heater Tank Due to Body Leak" (hard difficulty, ~180 minutes). This fix costs nothing. HomeMD has 2 community-ranked fixes for this error.

This error is rated critical severity. It is generally not urgent and can often be resolved with a simple DIY fix.

Yes — the top-ranked community fix ("Replace Water Heater Tank Due to Body Leak") is rated hard difficulty and takes about 180 minutes. Tools needed: Multimeter, Adjustable wrench, Screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead), Garden hose.

DIY cost: $0. Professional repair typically costs $800-$1200. Many homeowners save money by trying the top-ranked community fix first.

The Rheem Rheem Performance 40 Gal. 4500-Watt 6-Year Tank Electric Water Heater has 5 other known error codes, including: ECO TRIPPING (High-Limit Reset Button Keeps Tripping), ELEMENT SCALE (Heating Element Scale and Sediment Buildup), INSUFFICIENT HOT (Runs Out of Hot Water Too Quickly), NO HOT WATER (No Hot Water — Complete Failure), RUMBLING (Rumbling, Popping, or Banging Noises).