Hot Water Heater Repair Help

[Sideblinded]

Seriously Gillece is so bad I don't understand why they are still in business. I got a quote for $700 to install a ceiling fan, then they tried to get me to pay a fee for the outrageous quote!

Doesn't hard water affect the life of a hit water heater?

[Hopes]

Do I have the only husband who replaces water heaters himself?

[marktheshark]

I'm with Scott on the thermocouple. It's a very common problem and causes the issue you are talking about.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Do I have the only husband who replaces water heaters himself?

Probably not, but it's not exactly a small thing either. I didn't want to do that in here though. This stupid house has the water heater in the upper hallway. Plus, I'm leery of working on gas. I grew up without gas so that affects my comfort zone a bit (have no problem with electric and now have very little problem with plumbing though I still haven't actually done any sweat plumbing). If it had been in the basement and electric I'd have considered trying it myself at this point having gained some confidence with other basic plumbing stuff. Still gas but in the basement, eh, I'm still not sure I would have tried it.

I am building a raised patio with retaining wall by myself though, with all excavation having been done by hand.

[kjtocool]

Leaky gas is always my worry. I like to be handy, and enjoy teaching myself new skills, but I tend to draw the line when a small mistake could kill me unknowingly, heh. If I knew more about working with gas, or had more experience, I'd probably be much more inclined.

In any event, I called Matt Mertz, if it's a thermocouple I was quoted $125. He's coming out today, we'll see how it goes.

[sskink]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Do I have the only husband who replaces water heaters himself?

Probably not, but you might be one of the few wives who would trust their husband to do it properly

I know mine wouldn't!

[MachoKing]

Just wanted to echo the "do not call Gillece" sentiment.

Ask around for a good local plumber. Good ones advertise very little because they don't need to.

[Sideblinded]

I don't touch gas or electric, I know my limits.

[kjtocool]

Just an update, the issue was just that it was so dirty on the inside it wasn't letting enough oxygen in to keep the pilot lit / let it re-light.

Once it was properly cleaned, it started right up. Cost was the $125 quoted. If it holds out for another 4 years, I'd call that a win.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by kjtocool

Just an update, the issue was just that it was so dirty on the inside it wasn't letting enough oxygen in to keep the pilot lit / let it re-light.

Once it was properly cleaned, it started right up. Cost was the $125 quoted. If it holds out for another 4 years, I'd call that a win.

Ha, really. Well, at least it was simple and just the $125. That's probably a minimum service call cost for a lot of plumbers.

Just keep a close eye on it the next few years. You need to watch for any leaks. Also in the little hatch where you can look in at the pilot/burner you might be able to see and touch the insulation around the tank. Check it every few months or so for dampness. When I first noticed mine dripping slowly, I found that insulation to be wet. I read up on it, and I learned that sometimes they get condensation on the tank when the water is really cold which makes the insulation wet. So I didn't worry too much. The dripping used to stop. I kept an eye on it but later it was clear that it was a leak. Quite possibly the leak was way up high in the tank and that is why it stopped dripping sometimes. Who knows, you can't really ever find that out for sure unless you were to cut the outer housing off when you remove the tank.

Long as you are paying attention it could work for another few years pretty easily, but you do have to watch it.