hot water!
Well, I discovered something odd a few days ago.
I seemed to be using the last of the hot water. I usually take a very hot shower, see, but even with the hot on full, and no cold, it was still less than tepid. Next day I discover the damn thing isn't lit -- I have a gas house. And it won't RElight. Next day a service guy comes out, and says -- in essence -- that I need a complete new water heater. They'd be happy to do it for ... oh, $703.25
*gack* That's a large chunk of change for a family that lives mostly paycheck-to-paycheck.
Well, we managed to find a better deal from Home Depot -- yeah, all corporate and stuff, but with the better deal in this instance. I love supporting the little guy when I can, but that's a story for a different post. So scruples aside, going with HomeCorp Home Depot saves us about 200 bucks.
I am not complaining. That's 4 new games for me! (that was a joke, son. you can laugh now.)
Anyway, we're lucky that the old heater didn't start a fire. The burner area was rusted, and therefore the the gas was beginning to leak out. Fire hazard, that. The flame was also moving towards the front of the heater, and thus could set the insulation on fire. Not good.
But hey, at least I get to pay for a new water heater and not a new house. So, that's good. I'll take it.
Further ... um, news: The water feeder lines need to be replaced as well. And the incoming gas lines are not up to code. That's an extra hundred bucks or so. Le yay!
I seemed to be using the last of the hot water. I usually take a very hot shower, see, but even with the hot on full, and no cold, it was still less than tepid. Next day I discover the damn thing isn't lit -- I have a gas house. And it won't RElight. Next day a service guy comes out, and says -- in essence -- that I need a complete new water heater. They'd be happy to do it for ... oh, $703.25
*gack* That's a large chunk of change for a family that lives mostly paycheck-to-paycheck.
Well, we managed to find a better deal from Home Depot -- yeah, all corporate and stuff, but with the better deal in this instance. I love supporting the little guy when I can, but that's a story for a different post. So scruples aside, going with HomeCorp Home Depot saves us about 200 bucks.
I am not complaining. That's 4 new games for me! (that was a joke, son. you can laugh now.)
Anyway, we're lucky that the old heater didn't start a fire. The burner area was rusted, and therefore the the gas was beginning to leak out. Fire hazard, that. The flame was also moving towards the front of the heater, and thus could set the insulation on fire. Not good.
But hey, at least I get to pay for a new water heater and not a new house. So, that's good. I'll take it.
Further ... um, news: The water feeder lines need to be replaced as well. And the incoming gas lines are not up to code. That's an extra hundred bucks or so. Le yay!