Question about service on a hotwater heater tank
 

Hi,

I am hoping that someone can help me....

Our bottom element was burned out on our hot water heater, and a repair
technician was sent over to look at it. Well, as he started to work on
replacing the element, I heard some yelling. It seems that the pressure of
the valve (bottom of the tank), was so strong that it went everywhere,
soaking him and my basement! Luckily, I have concrete floors.

My question is: is he at fault no matter what? He didn't turn the water off,
nor did he drain the tank. I'm not looking to place blame, but after 2
hours of cleaning up and thinking about it more. I'm feeling a bit upset
about how he handled it. He said that there must be something wrong with how
the tank was installed, that this has never happened to him in 30
years....he jokingly said that he should charge me an extra 20 dollars on my
bill. Then I was left cleaning up the mess! No apologies or anything...

By the way this heater was installed by the same company the technician is
from, but I don't know anything more than that as it came with the house
when we bought it.

Based on what I have told you, what should have he done? What should I do?
Although I cleaned up the water, I'm afraid if some of the water did go
under where the walls are that I could have a potential problem on my hand.

Any suggestions, and does anyone know what the protocol is when changing a
hot water tank element?

Many thanks,

Angela

"ang" wrote in message
t.cable.rogers.com...

Our bottom element was burned out on our hot water heater, and a repair
technician was sent over to look at it. Well, as he started to work on
replacing the element, I heard some yelling. It seems that the pressure of
the valve (bottom of the tank), was so strong that it went everywhere,
soaking him and my basement! Luckily, I have concrete floors.

A water heater serviceman is supposed to know
enough to (a) drain the water, (b) turn off the
electricity before starting work.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

"ang" wrote in message
et.cable.rogers.com...

Our bottom element was burned out on our hot water heater, and a repair
technician was sent over to look at it. Well, as he started to work on
replacing the element, I heard some yelling. It seems that the pressure of
the valve (bottom of the tank), was so strong that it went everywhere,
soaking him and my basement! Luckily, I have concrete floors.

The "technician" should have _at least_ known to shut the valve and relieve
the pressure before opening the lower element. It can be done with very
little water loss. It's definitely the "tech's" fault. Tom
Work at your leisure!

"Tom" wrote in message
...

"ang" wrote in message
et.cable.rogers.com...

Our bottom element was burned out on our hot water heater, and a repair
technician was sent over to look at it. Well, as he started to work on
replacing the element, I heard some yelling. It seems that the pressure
of
the valve (bottom of the tank), was so strong that it went everywhere,
soaking him and my basement! Luckily, I have concrete floors.

The "technician" should have _at least_ known to shut the valve and
relieve
the pressure before opening the lower element. It can be done with very
little water loss. It's definitely the "tech's" fault. Tom
Work at your leisure!

What if the OP's fill valve for the water heater wouldn't close? I have
come across broken gate valves before.

Heat,

If the "fill" valve was broken it would be obvious when the he tried to
relieve the pressure. The water then would be turned off at the main shut
off instead. This "technician" could have seriously scalded himself. Not
cleaning up was inexcusable.

Dave M.

HeatMan wrote:What if the OP's fill valve for the water heater wouldn't
close? I have
come across broken gate valves before.



Then you go out to the street and shut it there. Tom
Work at your leisure!

Thanks for your responses. I am glad to know that It is what everyone else
has told me.I have some calls into the company but I have been getting the
run around. They keep putting me through to Customer Service, I really want
to speak to the Service Manager. I guess the technician did not put in an
incident report either. I want the Service manager to tell me what he
thinks, and if he agrees that it was not "our" fault for having faulty
equipment.

Thanks again for all of your help!

"ang" wrote in message
t.cable.rogers.com...
Hi,

I am hoping that someone can help me....

Our bottom element was burned out on our hot water heater, and a repair
technician was sent over to look at it. Well, as he started to work on
replacing the element, I heard some yelling. It seems that the pressure of
the valve (bottom of the tank), was so strong that it went everywhere,
soaking him and my basement! Luckily, I have concrete floors.

My question is: is he at fault no matter what? He didn't turn the water
off,
nor did he drain the tank. I'm not looking to place blame, but after 2
hours of cleaning up and thinking about it more. I'm feeling a bit upset
about how he handled it. He said that there must be something wrong with
how
the tank was installed, that this has never happened to him in 30
years....he jokingly said that he should charge me an extra 20 dollars on
my
bill. Then I was left cleaning up the mess! No apologies or anything...

By the way this heater was installed by the same company the technician is
from, but I don't know anything more than that as it came with the house
when we bought it.

Based on what I have told you, what should have he done? What should I
do?
Although I cleaned up the water, I'm afraid if some of the water did go
under where the walls are that I could have a potential problem on my
hand.

Any suggestions, and does anyone know what the protocol is when changing a
hot water tank element?

Many thanks,

Angela




Why do you want to heat hot water? Are you nuts?