I have 2 - one for quilting and one for clothes (which I seldom iron). The one for quilting, I never put water in and the one for clothes, I keep water in. I've never had any problems with either. I've had them both over 10 years (well over). I love them! I've worked at Joann's part time and occasionally we would get one returned for leaking. Pretty soon we figured out that they must have been putting distilled water in them - the instructions say to use tap water. They don't leak with tap water and will with distilled - have no clue why
Both of the ones I have, I purchased after they were returned and paid the "damaged" price which was a substantial discount!