@eriner my old tank water heater was already 20 years old when i bought this house and I didn't dare attempt it either. I used it for another 13 years or so and it was in my laundry room with no drain so I replaced it with a tankless which I moved to the outside so no more chance of coming home to a flooded house. The tank one never did leak and worked perfectly and is still sitting out back. I just figured it was better to change it before I had problems.