In article ,
"Mark Jerde" wrote:

George E. Cawthon wrote:
Makes sense. Just to put things in perspective and create
more anxiety, consider the lowly clothes washer hose. I
have never seen an exploding or spraying water tank, but I
have seen a spraying clothes washer hose. If you/wife are
in the habit of never turning the valves off when you are
not washing, you might start and certainly you need to turn
them off any time you are away for an extended period. If
you don't, they will probably be corroded and you might not
be able to turn the all the way off. Damage from a failed
hose is way more likely than damage from a failed water
heater.

Thanks for reminding me. I didn't mention that the inlet valve to the water
heater *cannot* be turned off. With two teens in the house several times I
tried to shut off the hot water to motivate them to get out of the shower.
eg I screwed the valve both ways multiple times, but it won't close and
shut off the water. (I have broken a valve by trying too hard.)

So I'll watch for water heater leaks AND Lowe's/Home Despot install sales.
g

-- Mark



It just so happens that Lowes has a $99 install for hot water heaters,
after rebate, and this deal ends on Jan 18th. I just came from my local
Home Depot in NJ, and they get $250 for a gas wh install.

Steve