We have a 1989 AO Smith Gas 75 gallon heater. Several days ago, our hot water pressure went very high, spewing out extremely hot water at a very high pressure from any hot water faucet. Still worked, just very hot and high pressure. Two days later I checked the heater and discovered a major continuall leak from the bottom. I turned off the gas and restarted. The high pressure problem is gone but the leak continues. By looking at the bottom area above the heating elements, I see no sign of the leak. yet from the pan underneath heating elements/pilot lite, there is a continual flow of hot water. Water is still heated and works. No leaks around any exterior valves. I suspect the tank is bad but why the high pressure/extreme hot water incident. That leads me to suspect something blew in a fitting and it may not be the actual tank that sprung a leak. Also, since this occurred over the weekend is it safe to continue operating the heater? The major leak--like a continual slow faucet, is nowhere near the pilot light (indeed its all working its way to the pan beneath but the area around the heating elements is bone dry). But I am concerned that it could worsen and extinguish the pilot lite and leak gas into our furnace room. I shut it off (along with gas valve) overnite but is it safe to restart tomorrow until we get it fixed/replaced on Monday?

Please excuse my complete ignorance... I tried searching on google for 45 minutes, and read the sticky thread already. I just want to know if the 'drain valve', ie. that faucet on the bottom of the water heater, can be used as a normal faucet. That drain valve is the only faucet in my apartment with the screw-on threads necessary for the hookup of my new portable washing machine... This is probably a very stupid question, but do people normally hook up things like portable washing machines to this water heater drain valve? For all I know, using it will drain out the water heater... Too bad there is only one faucet on the heater too, just hot (I think). The washing machine takes both a cold AND a hot hose, both need to connect to threaded faucets. Any suggestions? Thanks.