Water heater question for plumbers

[musiclawyer]

My traditonal water heater is about 7 years old now. It sits in the garage. On the outside garage wall adjacent to where the water heater sits, there is copper pipe that presumably comes from the water heater and directs water or condensation down to the ground. Normally it would be just be an occassional trickle of water. Sometimes nothing at all. But lately, the pipe is practically dripping with warm water all the time. This is new and it ostensibly not good. What is my problem and how expensive is the fix?

[likesmountains 52]

1. post this in the DIY forum and you'll get a lot of help...