I am terrible with any iron. I fried my very expensive Rowena so I buy cheapo B & D. Don't really like them. A few months ago someone on here said you could get a Rowena @ BigLots for $20.00. I went and got one - thrilled to have it and it is great. I usually only get 6 mos. to a year on an iron so $20. I think is not a bad price. I thnik we quilters just "use" our irons more than the average person.

My husband has fixed a few Rowenta irons for members of my quilt guild. Don't know what he did, but he says they are built like a throw away and are difficult to repair. Just our experience.

I have a Professional Rowenta about 3 years old. Mine leaks too. I found if I only fill it 1/2 full it doesn't leak. It erks me because I love the iron weight and sole plate size. I tried spring water and it didn't seem to make a difference. Good luck. Gramily

wow... I had no idea that so many folks had the same problem. I'm going to try the Silicon fix mentioned by... (I forget who!) on an earlier post. My husband thinks it may work too.

Turns out we don't have the high temp red silicon, so I'll have to go out to the store to get the right stuff before I take my iron apart.

I'll report back to all y'all... with an update later this week or next. ....

Same complaint about my Rowenta and I too purchased a B&D. Really very pleased with the Black and Decker.

I have a Rowenta Focus and it started leaking about 3 months after I purchased it. I use the steam only when I iron my husbands work pants and shirts. I fill it half way with water (have to use bottled because we have soft water) and can only iron 1 shirt with that amount of water! :shock: I have a towel that I tie around the bottom of the leg of my ironing board to soak up all the water.

Today I was at Bed Bath and Beyond and noticed the Rowenta Focuses were all on clearance for $80. I wonder if they keep getting them returned so they just want to move them out???!!!!

I am seriously considering buying one of the Reliable iron's. I just want something to work! Love how well the Rowenta irons clothes but it's just not worth the hassle of all that leaking water and having to constantly refill.

MIne started leaking when I used distilled water like my old iron used because I have very hard water. My friend mixes it half distilled to use up and 1/2 tap water. See how long her iron lasts.

Okay all.... I cracked my Rowenta tonight. First of all, I have the DX 6650 Power Duo, made in Germany - no auto off. Taking it apart is fairly easy, but you have to do it in steps. And you need a 15 torx, possibly a 20 torx as well. My cord tie in, electrical connections are all fine. Sole plate is fine. Tank is fine-no cracks. No cracks in any of the water tubing. The inside is pretty much as I expected, it's not rot-gut cheap, but I would have liked a bit better 'fit and finish'. Oh well... that's not really the issue.

I DID find that the gasket sealant used was more like the black stuff used on windshields - permanently gooey. I'm not sure but that the stuff was simply losing cohesion and melting away from the seal area over time. The plastic used for the water tank and surround is also slightly thin looking to me. I suppose another potential issue could be the plastic may warp out of true over time. The Power Duo is a 1700 watt iron, so it can get pretty dang hot by the sole plate and there is no secondary insulation around the tank area.

Spent two hours cleaning off the sealant goo from the iron using mineral spirits. It's drying out now. Tomorrow, I'll get some of the high temp silicone gasket sealer from the auto store and will finish the job. The silicone sealer will set up and not remain gooey, is water tight, so we'll get to see how that type of sealant works in this application. I'll wait another 24 then test it out.

I'm taking pictures along the way. If what I do fixes the issue... I will create a new post - a step by step, DIY of how to fix your iron, with pictures and all. It ruined my french manicure... but heck, sometimes a girl's gotta do... what a girl's gotta do!

I look forward to the new post! Sorry about the manicure :(

Thanks for trouble shooting and sharing your results. I'm curious as to the verdict.