[roadcat]

I don't know. Sh*t happens when you least expect it. I had installed a high-priced flexible pipe to the hot water outlet of the water heater, flexible steel braided over thick rubber with special gaskets to prevent corrosion. Didn't last but a couple years before it burst through the rubber and steel braid. I bought a stronger all steel coiled pipe this time. A whole section of sheetrock in the garage turned to mush and the hot spray was about to penetrate the other side sheetrock into the living room, would have ruined my hardwood floors, not to mention the furniture. Good for you being proactive after finding a leak.

Regarding people living alone: one of my good friends had an agreement with a neighbor. If the neighbor woman saw the blinds open in his living room, all was well. If not, then something was wrong. Likewise with her. After not seeing his blinds open, she called the cops. They went in his house and found him dead of a heart attack, sitting on his sofa from the prior night. This happened two years ago and I miss him. 62 years old.

[TigersEye]

Sorry about your neighbor. That was a good arrangement though.

re the OP story. I heard today that the woman took frequent trips so people didn't think much of a lack of activity there. However she seems to have voted in two elections after she was dead. Makes me wonder who would vote using her name and voter registration unless they knew she was dead? The report also said they hadn't positively identified the body as hers yet. Hmmm