Water heater tank evaluation - replace or not

[SPSHF15]

I recently discovered a leak on the hot water exit of my tank caused by a corroded fitting - straight copper. The problem looks exactly like the one in this thread and so I know how to remedy it - new nipples, copper or stainless flex.

Hot Water Pipe - Rubber disintegration (in dielectric union) on water heater...

Hello, I have been having issues for past few years with any 'rubber' seal or gasket that disintegrates that is present in the connection between the hot water pipe and our Bradford White water heater. This is a newly built home with a new water heater, and we first noticed it when we saw black...

terrylove.com

My house is five years old, with a builder installed Bradford White gas unit. My question for the forum is about evaluating any potential damage to the tank. The leak must have been slow and progressed to the point of a steady flow which ended up filling the base of the water heater putting out the burner, and flooding an area of my basement. When I inspect the inside of the burner chamber I see rust. What I don't know is if this is what a burner chamber normally looks like due to combustion byproducts or if the leak over time has compromised it. I also put a few picture of just outside the chamber which also are rusted, but maybe not part of the tank.
How does one evaluate this situation?
What would you do?

Thanks

 

[Fitter30]

Wouldn't worry about it. Just surface rust the water problem is fixed.

 

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[Master Plumber Mark]

Wouldn't worry about it. Just surface rust the water problem is fixed.

Leave it alone and hope that you repaired the issue with new nipples on the top;;;

if you could not physically see the leak that you repaired and it came from inside the tank,
then it could possibly be a crappy little micro leak on one of the welds.........

you are stilll under warranty (6 years)
and your window to get a free unit under warranty is closing fast

if it even appears to be moist in a week or two I suggest you call the plumber that
installed the Bradford and see how much he will charge you to warranty it out....

A micro leak will wait until about a month after the warranty is up to finally leak again
that is how all the water heater companies make their heaters today..... to last exactly
6 years and a month or two....

good luck.