British Expatriate Network

I have two days to finals, a really busy day at work tomorrow. Phil has to cram 2 weeks of work into 4 days and the hot water heater decided to take a leak this morning! shock evil

The timing couldn't have been worse and once we managed to slow the leak down and put a bucket under the valve thingy, our next job was to sort out how we are going to find time to get a new water heater installed. We realised by this afternoon that the water was not stopping and having to change the bucket every 15 minutes was not fun, especially if this continued all night! So, through the ingenuity of brains working together, we got an old inner tube, cut it to create a long flexible pipe and attached it to the valve. then placed the other end into the sump pump so the water was taken outside. Hubby went off to Home Depot and can call tomorrow about getting them to install a new water heater.

Great job done, I hear you all say. Well, daughter is not feeling too well so we thought a little (and it would be little due to the lack of hot water and only being able to boil pans) bath would be in order. Just as she was about to go in we hear some water running from our bathroom (which is right next door) and had this funny thought that the eldest was so desperate for a shower he must be taking a cold one! shock We walked into our bathroom and there was water all over the floor! roll We have one of these superjet toilets that are great and very effective until they go wrong! Well, it decided to spring a leak and the only way to stop it was to turn the water off which is hidden down behind the stupid thing. After trying to fix it, we realised that there was nothing we could do and will have to sort out a new toilet. that is going to have to wait until after Christmas.

So, please don't remind me that things come in threes because I don't want to hear it. And thank goodness we have two more toilets, otherwise we would be up shit street, literally! lol

I'm sure you already know that it never rains when it pours )
On the plus side, with all this dry weather, your skin will be greatful for the moisture.

Ben, we have days , maybe weeks where that happens.
Lets hope that that was the threee thing . . .daughter being the third.

Ben, don't worry, these things may come in threes, but the third (and fourth) one came our way..... we had a similar week with the roof and the dishwasher leaking on our new floor... roll

Sorry to hear that Ben, hope everything is sorted soon for you roll

Ben why don't you turn the inlet and outlet valves OFF at the top of the heater?

If you do not have any make sure Home Depot put a set in for you when they replace the water heater.

Also, the valve at the bottom usually fits a standard water hose srew connection.I keep one in the basement should we have a similar problem as you.

Another good thing to do when you get time is have the plumber put in a water filter at the entry point of the cold water comes into your house just after the MAIN shut -off valve.You change the cartridge say every three months it keeps your water crystal clear of sand and other junk.

When we clean out our water heater ,you are supposed to do it once a year neutral  by opening the drain valve at the bottom and let the junk be pushed out.It is mainly sand from the water treatment plants and is one of the main causes of water heater failure.The drain valve will stop(takes a long time to stop) leaking at the bottom afer an hour or so after you close it.

A water filter will stop this and also stop sand and grit from damaging your other valve seats in your fixtures.

PS You should also get your plumber to check your water pressure.We had lots of water leaks,wear on valves, etc and when we checked the pressure we found it very high coming from the water mains at 75 to 80 psi (pounds per square inch.We had a plumber put a pressure reducing valve(PSV) in the main cold water inlet line,just after the main shut off valve and just before the water filter. The PSV is now set at 55 psi.

Sorry to hear you're having a rough time of it Ben.  Have no practical advice to offer I am afraid but offer sympathies.

I often think US houses have so many toilets because at one time or another one is faulty.

PS.........I hope despite having no hot water that you and daughter have some clean knickers wink

Not to send the whole thread else where, but my new dishwasher senses when there is an escape of water, and shuts itself off, neat 8)

That is not fun! Hope Home Depot can get out quickly and get it fixed for you.

Thanks everyone.

John, practical as ever. Thanks for all the tips and yes we did turn the water off and figured it all out, eventually!

Dianey, thank goodness the washing machine washes with just cold water! lol Unlike the dishwasher roll Paper plates, here we come.

Monster, you make me feel so much better - but I can't believe they have leaked onto your new floor. Has the water damaged the floor at all? I really hope not. Well, at least I can go to work today knowing that you have already had my number 3!

MMM - our dishwasher has sensors too. Yep, very clever until the stupid things go wrong. We go to switch the dishwasher on sometimes and the timers are all over the place! Sometimes there is just too much technology put into these things. wink

Do you think anyone will notice the bad hair day today! roll Don't mind washing in cold water, but not icy! evil

Poor Ben - hope your week improves rapidly from here on grin

No, no damage -fortunatley we were in the kitchen when they both started -within 15 minutes of one another! Both have stopped again, neither were huge -don't think dishwasher was closed properly, roof needs fixing, but right now it's too cold for the snow to melt and cause grief.

Well, that is good news, Monster )

I have some good news too - the hot water heater is done! grin

I have to say I am very impressed with Home Depot if this service is anything to go by. Never had them do any work for us before but hubby called this morning and they said they could get someone out this afternoon to install a new tank and take the old one away. It took the two men less than two hours, with no mess.

So, hot water is back on smile

Toilet is going to wait until after Christmas! roll