Hot water heater drain leaking into TT

You have an SW6P which does not have a "drain plug" but rather a threaded port in which you must have a sacrificial anode rod ... properly installed, it won't leak. Is yours?

the piece that it welded on where the threads are is cracked and when you use water it opens up as the unit cools lets water out then when it heats back up it closes up

Your Model is a 'SW6D'....Suburban 6 gallon Direct Ignition

No pilot flame, no electric..just propane only


Area AROUND the anode rod drain hole is allowing water to leak back behind drain pan (area you have marked "HERE")

Clean that area up with wire brush and seal with high temp caulking.

There is a 'fiber material' between drain pan and face of tank but can you can not replace ....best to just seal up area

The area you have marked with 'enternabond' is just the lip from face frame and control pan (drain pan). Control pan is fully formed/one piece to prevent leaks from exposure.
Face frame fits inside control pan and is sealed around edges next to side of rig.

Wow great replies! Thanks for the model number info. I replaced the anode this year which was VERY due for replacement. I already sealed the "face frame" to the "control pan" with eternabond tape which was originally sealed with dried cracking caulk. I will wire brush the area around the plug as instructed and seal the heck out of. Thanks everyone :)