Water heater replacement

With only 4 1/2 years of full time use my Suburban SW12DE water heater needs rreplacing It developed a tiny pinhole leak in the tube where the gas heats the water. I flush my water heater twice a year and replace the anode rod every year faithfully. I have only used the gas feature a hand full of times. I just flushed the tank about a month ago and the inside looked like new still. What really hacks me off is that Carriage painted the coach after they caulked the water heater trim with silicone. The outside ring has to be removed to pull the old heater out. I checked on getting some of the paint before and getting anything less than a quart is almost impossible in my neck of the woods.I have the dark carbon/bronze paint half way around the heater so without going out and spending a small fortune to get some paint mixed up I’ll have to get a little creative with the caulking. I’ll probably use black caulking on the dark area and white caulking on the white and decale part. I don’t know why in their right mind Carriage would paint over caulking!!!!! Caulking, especially the junk they use does not last forever. OK rant over.

Chip

Is where the pin hole is a replaceable part ???…. Rich

I wish it was a replaceable part but its part of the tank. Looks like I’m finally going to get to test out the 7 year extended warranty I purchased 5 years ago. It has zero deductible and pays 100.00 for a mobile tech. I would do it myself but the heater is 450.00 and I think I’ll come out ahead having it done. I will be watching very carefully to make sure it is done correctly and I already carefully removed the panels under the sink and the outside trim and will install the trim myself and caulk it.

Chip