My Rheem hot water tank just started leaking alot of water from underneath im looking for any advice on what the problem could be also how to obtain a copy of the user manual Thanks Kelly

You have a water leak coming out of side of tank?
Water heater must be replaced. It is rusted, and could rupture.
Inspect and replace anode rod to prevent rusted tank, so water heater will last longer.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html

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

Yes, turn off leaking water heater because it might rupture.

Sounds like the tank is rusted and needs to be replaced.
Open following link:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html

For your next water heater, read following information
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html

Upvote the help.
And take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Ordinary tank-type electric water heaters are fully repairable by homeowner.

A) Basic info on Rheem
Rheem electric water heater website:
http://www.rheem.com/products/tank_water_heaters/electric_water_heaters/
Find age of Rheem: look 2nd and 3rd digit of serial number, for example 06 is 2006

B) Water heater has some hot water.
That says certain things: upper element is working, water heater electricity is working, reset button is not tripped, and heater is not experiencing run-away overheating event.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html

C) That leaves 4 suspects that cause lower amount of hot water.

1) TP valve is running hot water out of tank -or- leaking faucet is running hot water out of tank.
Check for leaks
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-TP-valve.html

2) Lower element is burned out.
Test lower element using inexpensive multi-meter from Home Depot.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
Replace element with same wattage shown on label, and clean out sediment:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

2) Upper or lower thermostat is bad.
Replace both thermostats for about $25.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

3) Burned or shorted wire located between upper and lower sections of tank.
Turn off power. Open covers on side of tank. Remove insulation. Inspect parts for signs of high heat and burning. Especially check lower element. Tighten any loose wires. Replace part that shows signs of burning.
Put insulation and cover back over thermostats so cooler outside temperature doesn't cause thermostat to misread tank temperature.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

get a different brand water heater

A leaking water heater cannot be repaired, assuming it's the tank leaking and not nearby water pipe.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-leaking.html

First thing is to protect your property from catastrophic tank failure where tank ruptures and water runs until it is shut off:
Tanks are under pressure when they are hot.
Close cold water shut-off located above tank.
Turn control knob to 'pilot' so pilot is lit but burner will not turn on.
Open hot side on tub for few moments to relieve tank pressure.

Now your property is safe.
You need a new water heater.
In mean time, gas water heater makes 41 gallons hot water per hour.
Shower used 5-9 gallons hot water.
Bath uses 10-15 gallons hot water.
You can turn on water heater for short stretches and limp by until you get a new heater.

Steps for installing gas water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html

You can do the job.
If the valve is plastic, the valve may break off inside the water heater.

The tank forum which is hosted by a professional plumber says, to use a hammer and screwdriver to remove the plastic drain valve: These guys are the pros.
http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/pages/WHRpages/English/Longevity/water-heater-maintenance-tools.html
" If a plastic drain valve snaps, having a hammer, a flat-bladed screwdriver and a towel can get you out of hot water. The towel is to absorb the hot water coming from the heater. You can use the screwdriver and hammer to gently tap the broken plastic piece out of the threads, then install a ball valve drain assembly with pipe-seal tape.
Now another guy at the Tank was saying he drilled out the broken plastic valve.
In any case it can be removed if it breaks.

Install a brass valve.
I just bought one at Home Depot and noticed that Lowes has brass drain valves too.
They're in the water heater department. You need teflon tape or joint compound on the threads.
And if it ever starts leaking, you can put a hose cap on the end, or replace it again.

For professional water heater advice: I go to the tank
http://www.thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com/forums/forum3/

Check the relief valve,drain and element's,water lines to make sure that they are not the source of the leak. If the tank is leaking you may be able to fix it for now.

The tank depending on condition of the tank if it is pretty sound. Clean up the area of the hole with sand paper. Go to any hardware store and get a JB Weld two part kit. JB Weld will fix almost anything . You can go to www.jbweldit.com for more information about this product. I wish you well and hope this will fix it for you.

If you are reffering to the drain valve at the bottom of the hot water tank. It may be leaking due to the O ring being cracked or worn out. You can either drain the tank and replace the valve or you can buy a hosebib brass cap and thread it on the existing valve. There is no cause for alarm when doing this as this valve is just to drain the tank when replacing your hot water heater

Dear Hank McNeal; I have successfully used a "boiler plug" to seal a water heater tank leak in 2007. It was a 100 gallon electric commercial hotel unit. To this day it's still in use. It depends where the leak is located....Predrilling the leak is necessary to be sure the plug will ernguage it's threads into good material... Start as small as possible, then use the best suited plug. they come in an assortment of sizes.

pressure temp valve leaking
tank leaking
hot water line leaking
shut off water to tank and leave sit for 4 hours turn on water tap and test temp if hot you have a leak