12 yrs old it has some time in, if it is not leaking from under the unit no immediate concern i would put a cap on it , my heater lasted twenty years but dont know what kind of water you have good luck

Its probably loaded up with minerals. 12 years is a pretty good life span for a hot water heater but to just stop the leak go to the harware store and get a brass screw on faucet cap with a garden hose gasket in it. That will stop the leak and is like a fail safe measure even on one that isnt leaking. My aunts hot water heater was leaking at the faucet and I put one on it and it was the end of the problem. I put one on mine too and it wasnt leaking but like I say its an extra measure of protection.

any leak should be considered serious. call some one quickly.

hello, there is a concern Of the valve that is leaking if it is slowly leaking, you can drain it and replace the valve, but if your water heater is 12 years old and once you change one thing another will go and another its going pick at your pocket left and right. So, you may want to think of getting a new one. I know that Lowe’s home improvement sells energy efficient water heaters and that on your tax return you can claim the water heater because it being efficient

If it’s coming out the drain connection on the bottom of your heater, it may be the valve is going bad. You can have it replaced (or try to replace it yourself), but since you don’t need this very often, you could go to the hardware store and buy a garden hose cap and put that on there to seal it. MAke sure you get a metal one, not plastic.

Listen to the others and replace the heater.

Buy a cap and gasket for the spigot,put it on and then closely monitor the hwh.If you then find more water replace it.12 yrs is about the end of it’s life span,try and inspect it often,replace it at 15 yrs whether it leaks or not.

Mine did that and I learned that it will only get worse and never better. Replace the water heater before it floods your house and you have to replace floors and carpet too.

Replace it. the leak will continue to get worse & at 12 yrs old your heater is not as energy efficient as a new one would be. the only concern with the leak is that of any other leak–it’s gonna get things wet. Also, it will increase your energy use–but, minimally.
I suggest when shopping for a new heater you consider your individual needs, such as amount of hot water you & your family use, the space it will be in, rapid heating requirements, auto off option for low use periods–basically a timer.

IF it has a handle on it make sure it is off- if it is as off as it will go- sounds like you need a new spigot or new hot water heater- if it has been sitting on the floor the bottom is probably rusty- esp w a water leak- D