it was meant to be my Montgomery Ward electric water heater is slowly dying. It all started when I decided to replace the heating elements as the original owner left me spares behind. There was a pice of duct tape stating cleaned and tested elements in 2003. Now the upper element looked good with some minor corrosion on the threads but the bottom one was completely covered with corrosion. Because I didn't have the right tool I called my neighbor (laid off plumber) and he came over with his trusty "heating element tool" slotted to put a bar or screw driver through and what happened next... nothing. He told me that if we kept trying it would probably ruin the water heater or damage the threads. I asked him if this tool comes like an impact socket made for an air compressor and he said the vibration from the impact gun would do even more damage. Great now what, well just out of curiosity I found a few sites to decode the serial number of the water heater and sure enough it's 32 years old. Seeing how I have been in this house for 5 years (built in '54) that not's bad. Any thoughts on replacement or just leave it be??
Well I have been doing research for the past week while going down in the basement and talking and rubbing the water heater into hanging on for just a little while longer. From what I have read all over the Internet, on this site (this is why I joined and first post) and other sites like Weilhammer Plumbing to name a few I think I have narrowed it down to Rheem, Bradford White and AO Smith. I was very close to going to Lowe's and buying this Whirlpool 80-Gallon Energy Smart Tall Electric Water Heater Item #: 161857 | Model #: EE3Z80HD055V $599 but I didn't I am trying to hold out for tax returns.
I read review upon reviews of all the other non-electric types of water heaters. I have read all the Consumer Reports, law suits, BBB on local plumbers you name it. I have a propane cooking stove, a wood burning stove in the basement next to the water heater and a wood burning fireplace insert on the first floor. The original owner was a plumber and everything is galvanized and cast iron, clean outs on every bend, the kitchen sink has its own run to a grease trap and still in great shape. The water heater has ¾ galvanized piping and unions that connect right on top and it measures 61 tall and 21 across. The house is 2600 square feet and there is only me and my girlfriend and four furry kids, one and half bath.
I need to know what the "pros" recommend and what model specific would work for me. What to avoid etc.. Let me know if you need anything else.
Thanks,
Joe
Well I have been doing research for the past week while going down in the basement and talking and rubbing the water heater into hanging on for just a little while longer. From what I have read all over the Internet, on this site (this is why I joined and first post) and other sites like Weilhammer Plumbing to name a few I think I have narrowed it down to Rheem, Bradford White and AO Smith. I was very close to going to Lowe's and buying this Whirlpool 80-Gallon Energy Smart Tall Electric Water Heater Item #: 161857 | Model #: EE3Z80HD055V $599 but I didn't I am trying to hold out for tax returns.
I read review upon reviews of all the other non-electric types of water heaters. I have read all the Consumer Reports, law suits, BBB on local plumbers you name it. I have a propane cooking stove, a wood burning stove in the basement next to the water heater and a wood burning fireplace insert on the first floor. The original owner was a plumber and everything is galvanized and cast iron, clean outs on every bend, the kitchen sink has its own run to a grease trap and still in great shape. The water heater has ¾ galvanized piping and unions that connect right on top and it measures 61 tall and 21 across. The house is 2600 square feet and there is only me and my girlfriend and four furry kids, one and half bath.
I need to know what the "pros" recommend and what model specific would work for me. What to avoid etc.. Let me know if you need anything else.
Thanks,
Joe