Water Heaters - Ruud water heater leaking

I have a Ruud power vent water heater. The t&p valve has been leaking for awhile now, and I just haven't got around to changing it. But tonight I noticed some water underneath of the heater and started looking closer at where it was coming from. The t&p valve is on the very top of the tank and there is water leaking out around the legs on the bottom of the the heater. There is no water running down the sides of the tank. Could the water leaking out of the t&p valve be running down the inside of the tank somewhere and coming out on the bottom? If so is this ruining the insulation or anything else. If it's not coming from the t&p valve , could something else be leaking? There is no drain pipe on the t&p valve, it just leaks onto the top of the tank. I need to fix that also. Thanks for any help!

Welcome to the forums! Your leaking T&P valve should be replaced immediately. It is leaking for a reason, namely worn out valve, high temperature or high pressure, thus the name. Have you checked the temperature of your water heater? It shouldn't be much more than mid range for comfort and safety. Likewise check the incoming pressure to the house. An inexpensive pressure gauge can be attached to a hose bib and the pressure read. If it is much more than 60 or 70 psi, you should adjust the pressure relief valve (PRV) to get it back in line. Now, as far as the water leaking down inside the water heater, yes, it is possible. The t&p valve should have a pipe attached to it, taking the overflow to the outside, or at least in close proximity to the floor. This is to keep it from popping off and scalding someone standing close by. You have a dangerous situation and it should be corrected. Let us know your findings.

Thanks, Larry. I'm laid off for a couple of weeks so no excuse not to fix this. I'll get on it today. I have a well so my pressure is only about 45-50 pounds. The temp. is set to about 120, so I don't think that's too high. The valve has some calcification? on it, and this all started when I popped off the valve to test it awile ago. It just never shut completely again. This water heater had been installed before we bought the house a few years ago, and the previous homeowners must have had some non-professional install it, because the t&p valve not having an overflow pipe on it is only one thing they did wrong. They had soldered copper for the gas line:eek: . The local gas company discovered this and we got that fixed asap. Anyhoo , I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks again!