Looks like my electric hot water heater has sprung a leak near the
bottom next to the threaded hole for the drain. If I drained the thing
and unscrewed the drain pipe I could probably reach in and daub
something on the leak, but I'm guessing that wouldn't last and isn't
worth the bother.

....So I want to replace this electric with a gas water heater. I'm
guessing that means going to the county and pulling a permit so that
an inspector can check my work? I have a gas furnace and I'm tired of
having a $20 minimum gas bill every month all Spring, Summer and Fall
for nothing.