Posted on 06/23/2018 11:27:20 AM PDT by Catmom
The unit they installed, a 50 gal AO Smith NG unit, retails for about $525.
Just look at the low IQs that come to fix things. Save your wallet and review how to youtubes before hiring out repair jobs.
Winterize the vacation house by turning off the water and draining all the pipes. Done and done.
“If you are hard up, flush it and swap in a new anode. Could last much longer.”
Our water supply supposedly has an average hardness of about 85. Maybe on another end of the system they have a mere 85. Our propane WH starts banging in 2 years whether you flush it or not. The chunks are so big they end up wedged in the valve causing it to leak.
This is the first WH we have has since I built the place that lasted over 3 or 4 years. Construction (layout and lack of space) prevents adding a softener.
I have even swapped out the valve for a ball valve and no help.
Suggestions?
“Just look at the low IQs that come to fix things.”
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That is quite an insult to all of the decent tradesmen that are available-—I have hired many.
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Yeah, but with a tank you have 50 gal of waterin your house without even thinking about it.
Old civil defense videos taught people to use the WH as a source of potable water.
Also toilet tanks...but not the bowls. That’s for pets.
I recently had my water heater replaced (around $2,000) and the guy that came was very pleasant and professional. He even came by later to make sure the water temperature was to my liking.
Yes, I could have done it myself by watching a YouTube video but I have plenty of money and I don't mind hiring people to come to my home to do things (and helping them to make a good living).
About the only think I like doing myself around the house is mowing the lawn and grilling food out on my patio. The whole handyman thing just doesn't appeal to me and I'm happy to hire out the pros.
That solar one also has a mixing valve on the spigot side. It mixes hot and cold to output what I set at about 120. I can let the tank in the summer get up to 160 degrees, and be safe not to scald anyone. That also makes the 80 gallon after mixing, act like 160 or 200 gallons of hot water !!
That price also included a 1/20 hp little pump to circulate the rooftop path.
Yeah baby - that’s the way to go! Too many Freepers soooo against solar and not understanding the benefits!
“If you have the under counter model I am betting it isn’t 3 years old. They generally don’t last longer than that.”
That may be true in your area but one I installed in 1999 was still working fine and not leaking in 2015, when we sold the house. Same for the whole house unit (both electric).
It still doesn’t hurt to learn to be resourceful and do more things yourself.
Not only does it save money, it has survival value, even if one has money and can always afford to hire pros.
Especially when the SHTF.
I have no complaints living in SE WA State, including the building inspectors. Different world from Puget Sound area.
I have no complaints living in SE WA State, including the building inspectors. Different world from Puget Sound area.
Yeah, I’d hate to be living in Connecticut area, Boston, NYC when the SHTF.
The good ones are a rarity.
I grew up poor so I have no concerns about “doing it myself” if I absolutely had do.
No kidding.
I’m convinced anything much past toilet training would stretch the coping skills of the average blue area resident.
Growing up comfortable seems to have negative survival value after a certain point.
There is something to be said for hiring a master’s licensed plumber, familiar with all code and safety aspect with full liability and work comp insurance.
I have installed new replacement equipment like this but as I am now in my senior years, I don’t want to start a project like this and then have it turn into a long involved process to get it right.
Had a fast recovery 50 gallon removed and replaced. The plumber did a re-circ pump addition, added a custom catchment pan and through-wall drain for safety, plumbed the pop-off valve to the outside, adjusted the water pressure to the house and set it up with a quick connect flush connection, new gas shut-off and a new connection yoke for softener. Glad I got a professional. Probably spent close to what you did.
I got a written estimate prior to the start of the work and it cost that exact price despite adding a small item or two to the job.
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