We moved into a house that is now 17 years old.

The hot water heater is leaking from the bottom and the plumber is coming on Friday. The tank is raised on cement blocks and it looks like the water is under the blocks.

Are hot water heaters repairable or do they have to be replaced?

It is an American - Ameri-Glass
Model - EFR40-80
It is 75-86 gallons

I need to know the approximate price to replace it if necessary.

Thank you so much.

:confused:

Ldc

80 gallon water heater are you sure? How big is this house? Is this a gas or electric unit?

40 gallon heaters are typical for the home and you may typically get 10-12 years out of it. Tanks are not repairable.
There are other reasons they can leak.

You failed to mention whether it's gas or electric. A 40 gal gas heater might run you about $1200-$1500 with labor for a 40 gallon unit. Labor rates are different everywhere. An 80 gal heater will run considerably more.

A water heater capacity is not rated like this "It is 75-86 gallons" There is a definite volume, no range. No matter, they can't be repaired and I sure would not try on a unit this old. The tank can run you $400- $600 plus installation but we still need to know the true volume and the fuel source.

Actually, it is a very large unit -- probably twice the size of the one that we had in another house.

This house is a two-story -- five bedrooms -- three bathrooms -- 3600 square feet

80 gallon water heater are you sure? how big is this house? is this a gas or electric unit?

It is electric

Our house is 3600 sq feet -- five bedrooms -- three bathrooms

The unit is very large

Here is some prices of gas and electric water heaters at Lowes: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&No=0&Ne=4294967294&Ntt=gas+water+heater+80+gallon&Ntk=i_products&N=4294961544

I'd budget between $1500 and $2000.

Electric is typically easier to install.