Hi, This is my first post to the group. This is a great group and I wish it had been around 19 years ago when I first starting redoing my 1925 house. Anyway, my 40 gal. gas water heater (about 15 years old) has developed a small leak. How long to I have before the heater breaks and floods my basement? Is there something I could patch it with? I know 15 years is a long life for a water heater, but I was hoping I could eke out some more time before I replace it. I checked Home Depot, and their prices for 40 gal. GE gas heaters run from $219 to $309, 34K BTU to 40K BTU. I'm planning to sell this house next year, so I don't think I want the highest cost one, which has a 9 year warranty. Does it make that much difference if I go for the cheapest one (6year warranty)? Also Home Depot will install it for ONLY $209! That seems pretty expensive to me. I had a plumber install the one I have now, but I can't remember what the charge was. How difficult would it be to install it myself? (One caveat - I don't know how to solder water lines - I've always used compression fittings on copper plumbling lines.) Thanks in advance, Elise