I have water seeping from the bottom of the unit.

sounds like valve seal failure or loose

Hello Maria,
Recommend contacting a plumber as soon as possible. In the meantime, keep a very close eye on it to ensure the leak does not result in water damage to your home.

Good luck!

typically when the upper braker pops in an electric water heater, it is an indication that the upper element has been breached, allowing water into it and shorting out the unit. the breaker prevents electrical disaster.

turn off the power to the unit via the breaker box, remove one power lead from the upper element, and with a multimeter, make a resistance check. Should read somewhere close to 14 ohms. If you get a significantly higher reading or significantly lower reading, the element is bad and needs to be replaced.

To replace the element you will need a socket wrench that fits the element. prepare your replacement assembly by seating the seal to the base of the element. Ensure the power is off, remove the second wire from the element, shut off the water supply valve, check that the pressure is off by turning on a hot water faucet near the unit and shut it off when the water stops running.

Be prepared to move quickly as water will come from the heater when you remove the old element, but not so much if you are ready for it. I typically lose less than 2 cups of water changing elements. Unscrew the old element pull it out and immediately insert and begin threading the replacement. tighten it until no water can be seen seeping past the seal.

SLOWLY open the water supply valve, sudden pressurization can cause other plumbing issues. When you hear the water stop running, check your new element for water seepage, tighten if necessary. Dry the area and reconnect the wires to the element.

now reset the power breaker. Some noise is to be expected as the elements heat the water to normal operating temperature, run a nearby faucet, hot side, to purge and air from the system.

You should be good to go.

REMEMBER: Power off FIRST, then water... do repairs... water on...SLOWLY.... Power on LAST. Stay safe out there

Most likely the humming is due to a defective or damaged check valve on your water METER and only translates the sound through your extrol expansion tank. The check valve on your meter should be replaced. The noise stops when you run water because the faster flow through the check valve opens it completely. Most likely you have a running toilet or dripping faucet that let's water seep through the check valve causing it to partially open and creating vibration in the bad gaskets on the check valve.
#1 have the check valve replaced
#2 find and repair the water leak

Try white teflon
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/rectoseal-006-400.jpg
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-vent-under-sink.html#T2
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002YPAFY/?tag=waterheaterti-20

Gene

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

If the drip is coming out of drain valve: Put a hose cap over end of drain valve.
If water is seeping out of cracked drain vale, then replace it.
If the leak is seeping around previously sealed threads, then tank may be rusted beyond repair.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-drain-valve.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

The following page has instructions and a link to a video:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html

How to:
Rods are installed in top of tank.
Most are located under a 2" round plastic cover located on top of tank.
Some anode rods are connected to hot water nipple
Read owner's manual to see location of anode rod
See list of water heater manufacturers and brands to find product manual.
Before starting, turn off heater source: electric water heater: turn off circuit breaker; gas water heater move control knob to pilot.
Close shutoff valve on cold water side of water heater
Open bathtub faucet to relieve pressure and let air into water line.
Open drain valve near bottom of tank,, and drain 2 gallons of water.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-will-not-drain.html

Use 1-1/16" socket for hex head rod
Rod will be rusted in place, use generous amount WD-40
WD-40 spray is flammable and will burn so be careful around heat source.
Loosening rod: go slow and check that water does not seep up when loosening rod because hot water can spew out hole if tank is very hot ... it is important to drain enough water out of tank to avoid accidental scalding.

Install new anode rod: One source says/ use pipe compound on thread instead of teflon tape. Other sources say use teflon tape. Either way, tank metal and anode metal must meet, so rod will work.

If your tank is very old than there might be accumulation of rust and debris on bottom of tank, try and purge the tank put a garden hose on the lower most water fitting at the bottom of your unit and drain the tank. Be sure to shut off the water inlet. You might even have the booklet still taped to the side of your unit and it will explain how to flush your unit.You might also want tot think about replacing your anode rod it is probably toast if old unit.

did you put the gaskets in with the elements, there should be a rubber gasket on both elements, if you did and it is just the tank condensating, when you took out the element was it easy or did you have to apply alot of pressure, if you had to apply alot of pressure you may have even cracked the tank, and it is not condensation but water comming out of the tank,, and if you are sure that you didn't then your water comming in must be real cold and you will have to wait for the water in the tank to heat up to stop the condensation,, cold water comming in comes from the bottom thru a dip tube that takes the cold water to the bottom of the tank and force the hot water out the top, if you are on well water it will be vary cold comming in,, these are the only things it could be,, by the way did you fill the tank with water till it came out of the faucet at full pressure before turning on the electric? if not you could have also burnt up both elements and the water can be seeping out of the elements beings they are plastic and when they are fried the plastic melts, so turn off the electric pull out the element check it to make sure it is intact then if not get another new one reinstall it, fill with water till it comes out of the hot side on your faucet, then turn on the electric

put in an insinkerator instant hot, they have a vary good warranty and they will only send people to your house that are quilafied to work on the unit,,