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scary water heater

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rick in Alaska
rick in Alaska Member Posts: 1,457
edited August 2019 in Plumbing

Can't remember if I had posted this before, but here goes. This was in an old log home that I had to go in and winterize last winter. This thing was still operating making hot water! Notice the relief valve on the relief valve, the wiring, the washing machine hoses feeding it, and the earthquake strap. The rusty water around it is just a given.
Rick

Comments

  • Larry Weingarten
    Larry Weingarten Member Posts: 3,291
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    Hi, Somehow, the lone shoe on top is fitting. That just might have won the ugliest water heater award! >:)

    Yours, Larry
  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 1,967
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    At least he used different colors for hot and cold.
  • rick in Alaska
    rick in Alaska Member Posts: 1,457
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    That one had my mouth hanging open for sure. Especially when I realized it was still working!
    And I used to wear shoes like that when I was a kid!
    Rick
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,625
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    Looks like one of the hoses is new. Was that replaced as part of the winterization? :sunglasses::sunglasses::sunglasses:
  • rick in Alaska
    rick in Alaska Member Posts: 1,457
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    No it wasn’t. Must have been an upgrade. This was being used as a rental for awhile. Imagine the liability!
    The new owners are ripping everything out, so this should be gone by now.
    Rick
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,832
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    rick in Alaska said:

    The new owners are ripping everything out, so this should be gone by now.

    Rick

    Putting in hydronics?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,506
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    Earthquake piping...
    steve
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,519
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    And the wire feeding it dosen't look like #10 which a water heater with a 4500watt element should have........ but why would the wiring be ok based on the rest...............
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,671
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    EBEBRATT-Ed said:

    And the wire feeding it dosen't look like #10 which a water heater with a 4500watt element should have........ but why would the wiring be ok based on the rest...............

    That darn 80% rule........
    :)
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 1,946
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    Years ago I installed water heaters for home depot :/ . Thousands of water heaters. Was a lousy situation. Saw some similar to, but not quite this bad. OY!
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,637
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    Is that a boiler drain in place of the anode?
  • rick in Alaska
    rick in Alaska Member Posts: 1,457
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    > @mattmia2 said:
    > Is that a boiler drain in place of the anode?
    Good eye! Forgot about that one. Also , the drain in the bottom is a regular hose Bibb, and the handle is jammed up against the tank, so it can not be opened. This one was definitely a classic.
    Rick
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 1,946
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    @rick in Alaska

    Are the two wires sticking out from the top where the water heater is supposed to be wired, back fed and energized because of the upper t-stat direct wiring??
    mattmia2
  • rick in Alaska
    rick in Alaska Member Posts: 1,457
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    Sorry, I am currently out of coverage area for the next few days and just saw this. Yes, they just bypassed the wires at top and went directly to the upper thermostat. I assume there must be a burnt wire, but never investigated it further.
    Rick
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,637
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    I assume they found that at the curb and wired it however they could
  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,078
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    Now that’s a serious DIY job :'(
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

  • JakeCK
    JakeCK Member Posts: 1,356
    edited September 2019
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    How does something like that go unnoticed by the gas co.? In the last 9 years I've owned my home Columbia gas has done a safety inspection on my meter and connected appliances twice and I had them out once after complaining about the gas regulator smelling.

    Still have the meter in the basement that they refuse to move unless I pay them to move their own equipment... Maybe thats it, if my meter were outside they wouldn't ever see whats inside. Answered my own question maybe. But still. wow thats not homeowner DIY, thats a redneck hillbilly deluxe.
  • neilc
    neilc Member Posts: 2,703
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    JakeCK said:

    How does something like that go unnoticed by the gas co.? In the last 9 years I've owned my home Columbia gas has done a safety inspection on my meter and connected appliances twice and I had them out once after complaining about the gas regulator smelling.

    Still have the meter in the basement that they refuse to move unless I pay them to move their own equipment... Maybe thats it, if my meter were outside they wouldn't ever see whats inside. Answered my own question maybe. But still. wow thats not homeowner DIY, thats a redneck hillbilly deluxe.

    gas co don't care,
    that thing is electric,
    and scary
    known to beat dead horses
    ratio
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,832
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    JakeCK said:

    ...... thats a redneck hillbilly deluxe.

    "Redneck engineering"! I think you just added that to the HeatingHelp lexicon.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • gennady
    gennady Member Posts: 839
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    JakeCK said:

    How does something like that go unnoticed by the gas co.? In the last 9 years I've owned my home Columbia gas has done a safety inspection on my meter and connected appliances twice and I had them out once after complaining about the gas regulator smelling.

    Still have the meter in the basement that they refuse to move unless I pay them to move their own equipment... Maybe thats it, if my meter were outside they wouldn't ever see whats inside. Answered my own question maybe. But still. wow thats not homeowner DIY, thats a redneck hillbilly deluxe.

    What has electric heater to do with gas company?
    Gennady Tsakh
    Absolute Mechanical Co. Inc.
    ChrisJJakeCK
  • JakeCK
    JakeCK Member Posts: 1,356
    edited September 2019
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    > @neilc said:
    > (Quote)
    > gas co don't care,
    > that thing is electric,
    > and scary

    You're right I wasn't thinking to much about it and just glanced at the picture. lol

    Still you would think someone from one of the utility companies would notice.

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