Hello. I have a 40 gallon Water heater that is approximately 11 years old. The supply lines have started to pool water in the recessions and then trickle down the tank. This just started. Before I used to hear the tank bubble when I would turn on the washing-machine. What do you suggest I do? I really don't see the leak anywhere and wonder if it is coming up from the tank itself. Any ideas what to do? By the way it is a natural gas water heater if that really matters. Thank you for your time.

Ahh Craig! To repair or replace? They give the average life of a water heater at 8 years. If the leaks are in the threads, and not a boiler weld, the heater can be saved. Just shut the water off and cutthe copper lines, unscrew the male adapters and teflon tape the threads with 7 turns of tape and reinstall. Connect the supplies with couplings. As for your noise, let me take the mystry out of it for you. If you do not flush,(not drain) your heater on a regular basis it will build up mineral on the bottom of the tank. When the flame comes on it turns the water trapped under the mineral to steam and the steam escaping is what you hear. Let me show you how to flush your heater. Attach a hose to the boiler drain at the bottom of the tank. With the pressure on, open the boiler drain and let it run until the water runs clear. You will see a spurt of red,(rust) and some white grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). The whole thing shouldn't take more then a few minutes. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. You might want to consider cleaning the screens on your areators if you have a high mineral buildup. If thev problem still persists after you have flushed, you will have to drain the heater, remove the boiler drain and go up in the bottom of the tank with a wood or plastic rod, (not metal) and try to break up the mineral and flush it out.
Repair or replace? Your choice. Oh yeah, I have a water heater that came with the house when it was built in 1954. Still working and supplying the house with hot water. But then I've flushed it every month for the last 52 years. Good luck, Tom

Draining your tank now and then is a great idea. But be prepared for the drain to leak. Either replace your drain with a good ball valve, or have a garden hose thread cap handy.

I would also start saving for a new water heater. Lol