"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message news:wyGrj.11858
5. I never did anything preventative but googling talks about a sacrificial
anode and draining; should I have done that (I'm guessing yes).

I think that is more of an eectric thing than gas.

It applies equally to electric and gas heaters.

O.P. Don't panic over a small leak. Chances are it will survive till he gets
back just fine.

Bob