Possible leak at Pressure relief valve

[MikeGlosta]

Facts:

Bradley White Electric water heater - 50 gal

wet floor around heater

removed both upper and lower element covers to check element seals - both good

discovered line of water dripping from above the lower element - the upper element is NOT leaking

Since the inside tank is domed is it possible for the Pressure Relief Valve to LEAK at the connection to the tank, beneath the outer shield, unseen? I don't know where else a leak could be coming from.

I don't want to take the PRV off unnecessarily. The valve works fine (tested)

 

[johnjh2o]

Sounds like the tank has failed. How old is the heater?

 

[frodo]

look at the pipe connections, hot, cold, anode, T&P see if any sign of wetness

you already checked stat, if no wetness it is the tank, if their is wetness, pull/replace nippples

if you can not see the tank, pull the sheetmetal jacket. or cut with tin snips