WWTBAM Bored

A disaster has befallen Rivendell II - our hot water heater decided to give up the gh0st and flood our laundry room yesterday while we were at work. We came home to find standing water on the floor and damp clothing on the counter. We spent most of the evening trying to figure out where the water shut-off valve was (turns out it was one of the bedrooms, of all places) and then getting rid of the accumulated water. We called a contractor friend who came over and managed to fix it so we could have water in the rest of the house, but the water heater is no more, so now we have to find a new one. I had hoped that the water heater might be under warranty, but it wasn't - it came with the house when we bought it, and the water heater was installed in 1991.

Ouch! You might want to buy a cold water heater this time though.

Unless everything in your basement is raised off the floor, it's worth the money to do preventive maintenance and replace the water heater every 7-8 years. Virtually all of them will last that long, barring odd water hardness or other out-of-the-ordinary issues. After that, according to a plumber friend, you're on borrowed time.

earendel wrote:A disaster has befallen Rivendell II - our hot water heater decided to give up the gh0st and flood our laundry room yesterday while we were at work. We came home to find standing water on the floor and damp clothing on the counter. We spent most of the evening trying to figure out where the water shut-off valve was (turns out it was one of the bedrooms, of all places) and then getting rid of the accumulated water. We called a contractor friend who came over and managed to fix it so we could have water in the rest of the house, but the water heater is no more, so now we have to find a new one. I had hoped that the water heater might be under warranty, but it wasn't - it came with the house when we bought it, and the water heater was installed in 1991.

How did clothing on the counter get damp? Did the water rise to counter height?

peacock2121 wrote:

earendel wrote:A disaster has befallen Rivendell II - our hot water heater decided to give up the gh0st and flood our laundry room yesterday while we were at work. We came home to find standing water on the floor and damp clothing on the counter. We spent most of the evening trying to figure out where the water shut-off valve was (turns out it was one of the bedrooms, of all places) and then getting rid of the accumulated water. We called a contractor friend who came over and managed to fix it so we could have water in the rest of the house, but the water heater is no more, so now we have to find a new one. I had hoped that the water heater might be under warranty, but it wasn't - it came with the house when we bought it, and the water heater was installed in 1991.

How did clothing on the counter get damp? Did the water rise to counter height?

There was some spray involved. I have no head for things mechanical so I can't tell you any more than that. elwing was on the front lines, as it were, while I was providing support (pushing water out the door).

Wow, that really bites!

Sorry Ear, but that can't be any fun at all.

One good thing is, they are REALLY efficient now. Something 15+ years old will not have been as good. So you should get some energy savings out of the bargain.

earendel wrote:

peacock2121 wrote:

earendel wrote:A disaster has befallen Rivendell II - our hot water heater decided to give up the gh0st and flood our laundry room yesterday while we were at work. We came home to find standing water on the floor and damp clothing on the counter. We spent most of the evening trying to figure out where the water shut-off valve was (turns out it was one of the bedrooms, of all places) and then getting rid of the accumulated water. We called a contractor friend who came over and managed to fix it so we could have water in the rest of the house, but the water heater is no more, so now we have to find a new one. I had hoped that the water heater might be under warranty, but it wasn't - it came with the house when we bought it, and the water heater was installed in 1991.

How did clothing on the counter get damp? Did the water rise to counter height?

There was some spray involved. I have no head for things mechanical so I can't tell you any more than that. elwing was on the front lines, as it were, while I was providing support (pushing water out the door).

yikers.

You are lucky this didn't happen when you were on your cruise.

peacock2121 wrote:

earendel wrote:

peacock2121 wrote: How did clothing on the counter get damp? Did the water rise to counter height?

There was some spray involved. I have no head for things mechanical so I can't tell you any more than that. elwing was on the front lines, as it were, while I was providing support (pushing water out the door).

yikers.

You are lucky this didn't happen when you were on your cruise.

Ain't it the truth!?

I hope you can get the clothes washed so you don't have mildew on them.

My landlord's current plumber says "bad last plumber" put in an 8-year water heater; that's why mine went recently. Current plumber says they put in a 12-year, or whatever. Either this really exists, or they're lying. Supposedly the "expected life" is written right on the heater somewhere, though.