The water heater (known here in Texas as a hot water heater) was apparently original with the house, making it a little past 20 years old.
The rust blossoms on the sheet metal were only on the lower third, but still, we were concerned. So, even before it started leaking, we started thinking of replacing it.
Today, our favorite plumbers brought the replacement, and the changeout was nearly painless, at least for me. There was a re-soldering to be done, and I now have a cool ball valve instead of a gate valve, so that’s good.
To show that replacement was the right thing, the old heater started leaking as soon as it was moved, so, right on time. Given my history of home floods, it was interesting to see one not happen.
Maybe we’ll replace this one in less than 20 years.
I hope your installers put an drain pan under the water heater just in case it springs an unexpected leak. That’s something installers in my area never do. I had a whole-house ball valve installed some years ago, and I always shut the entire house off whenever I leave it overnight. The last two major leaks in my house occurred (fortunately) while I was at home, and I was able to shut off the offending section soon enough to avoid real damage. Both leaks manifested in the basement (though neither originated there), one gave itself away by the sound of dripping water, the other by the sound of water in the supply lines. Sounds like you’ve got other deluge stories to tell…