Practical Advice Hot water heater

[Astrid78]

I have a gas hot water heater, just your basic kind, its probably old.
When the hot water is on, the heater makes a swooshing sound.
I know this is from sediments and it has to be drained with a hose.
Having watched videos I'm sure I can do this. I'm very scared though, about blowing shit up, because of the gas.
Any advice?

 

[cymbele]

I haven’t done this but I have gas heat and hot water and I don’t think that you will have any problem. If worried turn off the gas with the valve going into the tank. You might have a problem with relighting the pilot if you have one. Btw I have natural gas as opposed to propane. I would try it without turning the gas off though.

 

[Walker]

Eek. You're a tough one! You can do it! Let us know how it goes!

 

[Dante]

A lot of the time we doubt our abilities and it stops us from doing anything. "I cant X so I don't", and if we DO try we give up at the first hurdle. Lots of things turn out to be quite simple especially if there are guides online.

Just make sure you have all the tools you will ever need, it sucks when you get half way and realise you don't have the right tool to continue.

 

[Astrid78]

A lot of the time we doubt our abilities and it stops us from doing anything. "I cant X so I don't", and if we DO try we give up at the first hurdle. Lots of things turn out to be quite simple especially if there are guides online.

Just make sure you have all the tools you will ever need, it sucks when you get half way and realise you don't have the right tool to continue.

Wise words

 

[Astrid78]

I did it!
it wasn't too hard, drained it twice and learned some things not on the videos.
Oh, I also fixed a leaky sink. lol

 

[Dante]

I did it!
it wasn't too hard, drained it twice and learned some things not on the videos.
Oh, I also fixed a leaky sink. lol

Congratulations. DIY takes confidence that so many people lack. (and practicality, I have seen someone honestly break a bulb trying to change it)

 

[Astrid78]

I need a new hot water heater, will cost anywhere from $1,900-3000 and I can't afford that, we are still waiting for our income tax to come in, last year we recieved it like a day after christmas, hopefully it'll come in soon. My husband and I filed for unemployment years ago and we have given up on ever getting that. So for the time being I am still boiling water. I long for a hot shower. I long for fairness in a country where its possible to not work and live better than those who worked their whole lives.

 

[Acy]

Good morning, @Astrid78 — sorry to hear about the issues you’re having! I found this, but it’s specific to Michigan…? If you are in the US there are likely similar programs in most other states. I hope this helps!

 

[Kiwi2016]

@Astrid78 congratulations...you've given me some hope could drain ours as we are having that gurgling sound...so know it needs to be drained have just been putting it off... so which videos did you find the most helpful if you don't mind me asking?....

 

[Astrid78]

Good morning, @Astrid78 — sorry to hear about the issues you’re having! I found this, but it’s specific to Michigan…? If you are in the US there are likely similar programs in most other states. I hope this helps!

View attachment 59226

Thank you for taking the time to do this, I don't qualify for any kind of help, I don't have rent or mortage and I don't get any type of welfare. I've contacted every agency in my area for help, every place told me the same thing.

 

[Astrid78]

@Astrid78 congratulations...you've given me some hope could drain ours as we are having that gurgling sound...so know it needs to be drained have just been putting it off... so which videos did you find the most helpful if you don't mind me asking?....

Um I am not sure which ones I watched there are so many, and I pretty much viewed them all, until I found one were I could understand what they were talking about, had to google a lot of the terms. I'm sorry that wasn't very helpful.

 

[Kiwi2016]

Um I am not sure which ones I watched there are so many, and I pretty much viewed them all, until I found one were I could understand what they were talking about, had to google a lot of the terms. I'm sorry that wasn't very helpful.

That's ok...thanks for info...will be my project to tackle...as clearly is tackable....

 

[seabird]

@Astrid78 I didn't realize you're still boiling water for everything.

i did buy a new gas fired Hot water heater last year when my old one began leaking a lot and the basement had warer in it. Luckily it has a working drain.

It cost $2800.00. I found out later that Habitat for Humanity had some used ones available that I coild've bought. If there's a H for H near uou, go see what they've got in stock.

Then there's the issue of getting it installed and checked by either your county or city officials for safety. That is usually required by law for licensed contractors.

If you call your city or county & ask to talk to the people who inspect construction & renovations, you might find some contractor who will do this more cheaply than others. Good luck with this I remember how stressed I was at that time.

 

[may71]

You've probably already called 211, but if you haven't that might be worth a try.

What @seabird said about Habitat for Humanity sounds good

 

[Lady Wolfshead]

I hope you find something soon. It does suck where you're in the grey area of being in need yet not qualifying for help. I feel very fortunate to be a homeowner (well, apartment owner) but it does mean I have to cover any expenses, big or small, that come up. I've had to use credit many times. There are always companies that will lend you money if you own a home, even if you aren't currently working, however such companies can be shady as hell. Hopefully your tax return will come soon.

 

[Astrid78]

You've probably already called 211, but if you haven't that might be worth a try.
I am sending you a message about this
What @seabird said about Habitat for Humanity sounds good

actually I do have a type of water heater, its hard to explain, its not a normal one but it'll work, there is no one to put it in and I am not messing with gas lines and cutting holes in the wall. There is DIY and then there is call a professional lol
Habitat for Humanity stores are awesome, I've bought appliences from them before.

 

[Astrid78]

I hope you find something soon. It does suck where you're in the grey area of being in need yet not qualifying for help. I feel very fortunate to be a homeowner (well, apartment owner) but it does mean I have to cover any expenses, big or small, that come up. I've had to use credit many times. There are always companies that will lend you money if you own a home, even if you aren't currently working, however such companies can be shady as hell. Hopefully your tax return will come soon.

please don't take this wrong @Lady Wolfshead but i love you so fucking much for saying this, its not often that I come across people who actually understand this. Thanks

 

[Astrid78]

@Astrid78 I didn't realize you're still boiling water for everything.

i did buy a new gas fired Hot water heater last year when my old one began leaking a lot and the basement had warer in it. Luckily it has a working drain.

It cost $2800.00. I found out later that Habitat for Humanity had some used ones available that I coild've bought. If there's a H for H near uou, go see what they've got in stock.

Then there's the issue of getting it installed and checked by either your county or city officials for safety. That is usually required by law for licensed contractors.

If you call your city or county & ask to talk to the people who inspect construction & renovations, you might find some contractor who will do this more cheaply than others. Good luck with this I remember how stressed I was at that time.

Yeah I love the habitat for humanity store, we also have a thrift store that has large appliances.
What you said about having things inspected ligit made me laugh out loud, where I live its common to see such things as a mobile home with wood stove pipes out of the roof lol
A leaking basement sounds aweful, score one for the working drain! I do have a heater, its a different kind of one, idk how to explain it, but finding someone to put it in is a challenge, frankly I have a hard time because I am a woman, sometimes I get lucky but usually it takes a while
Thank you for sharing with me, it always feel odd, because I also feel badly you understand this kind of stress.

 

[Lady Wolfshead]

please don't take this wrong @Lady Wolfshead but i love you so fucking much for saying this, its not often that I come across people who actually understand this. Thanks

You're welcome.