<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Level Up House</title> <atom:link href="/tag/water-heater/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link></link> <description>Home is the best place on earth</description> <lastBuildDate>Sat, 22 Jun 2013 18:56:50 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5</generator> <item> <title>Happy Birthday to Me: Emergency Hot Water Heater Replacement</title> <link>/2012/new-hot-water-tank/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandi]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 20:50:15 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hot water tank]]></category> <category><![CDATA[water heater]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=732</guid> <description><![CDATA[Of several facts I was already aware: The hot water tank was tired and old, already past its “natural lifespan” of 9 years by about 5 additional years The hot water tank’s pipes were crusted and gross We have bad luck with hot water tanks We have bad luck with plumbing in general   Right […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Of several facts I was already aware:</p> <ul> <li>The hot water tank was tired and old, already past its “natural lifespan” of 9 years by about 5 additional years</li> <li>The hot water tank’s pipes were crusted and gross</li> <li>We have bad luck with hot water tanks</li> <li>We have bad luck with plumbing in general</li> </ul> <p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_old.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-733" title="hotwatertank_old" src="/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_old.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_old.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_old-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Right about when the main water line disaster was wrapping up, I started the process of replacing the tank. Seems wise to replace the tank BEFORE it explodes, right?</p> <p>So I picked out a few well-rated candidate tanks, put in a couple calls for estimates, and prepared psychologically for yet another major household purchase on our shoestring one-income budget. I was about to leave town for 10 days, but I figured the tank had been sitting there fat and happy for 15 years, what was 10 more days? I left for Illinois.</p> <p><strong>BOOOOOOM</strong></p> <p>On the evening of December 12th this tank (or its pipes?) sprang a <strong>huge leak</strong> from the top. The spray soaked the furnace, elliptical, most of the stuff stored nearby, and ruined my workout area carpet. Of course by this time I was 3000 miles away in Florida, so Jim deserves a medal for being home and hearing the water spraying in the garage (and also for being up until 2am getting a handle on the flooding).</p> <p>Well, all that research about getting The Perfectly Researched Tank went out the window and I called my favorite plumber (Top Gun plumbing woot) and took the only tank they offer – a 6 year Rheem model for $1350 (minus $100 for being such a recent customer, sweet!).</p> <p>They did a great job – the job was done the same day I called, the install was clean, the new tank looks sturdy and high quality. Seriously – if you live in the Puget Sound area, give <a href="http://www.topgunplumbing.com/"><strong>Top Gun Plumbing</strong></a> a call next time something in your house is spraying water out of somewhere it shouldn’t be.</p> <p><strong>Process photos:</strong></p> <p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_old2.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-734" title="hotwatertank_old2" src="/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_old2.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_old2.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_old2-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Laters, tank.</p> <p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_gone.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-735" title="hotwatertank_gone" src="/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_gone.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_gone.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_gone-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Does this empty platform and earthquake straps <em>not</em> look like something out of an S&M dungeon?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_new1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-737" title="hotwatertank_new" src="/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_new1.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_new1.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hotwatertank_new1-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;">New replacement tank!! And it’s better geared than the last one – behold the sweet temperature dial!</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Also note the gold gift bow – this tank arrived the day before my birthday. Hot water is a pretty sweet gift.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Lessons learned? </strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong>Plumbing can screw you whenever it wants, and it’s going to be messy and expensive. All you can do is be prepared.</p> <ul> <li>Keep a few gallons of water on hand so you have something to drink while your water’s turned off</li> <li>Keep your stuff out of the the way</li> <li>Have a few thousand dollars on hand (thanks Past Mandi, you’re a true friend!) for emergencies, because this shit <em>will wait until you can least afford it</em></li> </ul> <p>The only real casualty of this mess was my workout carpet, but that was old and filthy anyway (it was from one of this house’s bedrooms).</p> <p>I hope this is the end of plumbing emergencies for a LONG while.</p> <p> </p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> </channel> </rss>