Home Improvement Today?

My hot water tank failed this week, wasn't even 5 years old. Bought a basic one as a replacement with no electronics in hopes that it lasts longer.

 

Water heaters are always a luck of the manufacturing day thing. The tanks are all glass lined the same way, either you get a good one that lasts or a bad one that doesn't.

The quality of your water impacts life too.

When I replaced mine (30 gallon electric) I removed the chinzy plastic drain valve and replaced it with a copper pipe nipple and a full port ball valve - that flows some water when you flush it.

 

About 6 months ago it started randomly making super crazy hot water so l knew it's time was limited. This week it had tripped the breaker and when flipped back the screen was beeping, flashing, and non-operational. Should have replaced that plastic drain valve on the new one like you did.

 

What brand/model was the one that failed?

 

(A.O. Smith 50 gallon), I believe it may have been an electronic thermostat issue but went down that rabbit hole when it started cooking the water and that part was discontinued. Was able to extract a fault code on it on the last day before giving up with it as it kept saying tank empty dry fire.

 

Interesting, Lowes used to carry Rinnai. That's where I bought the gas tankless for my last house. Now all they sell is A.O. Smith. I'd like to get another gas tankless Rinnai or Navien for the next house.

 

Tankless actually sounds like a pretty cool option, would have to be more efficient.

 

Tankless HW systems are great if you have natural gas or propane. Low maintenance, no risk of flooding. Just gotta keep them flushed with distilled vinegar on an annual or semi annual basis.

 

Screens...


We have had water heaters without screens for about 100 years, why do manufacturers think that adding a screen to a simple mechanical device is an improvement...

...stepping off soapbox now...

 

Everything is insulated and lathed out. Before you go "WTF" on the lathing, I had a moment of stupid and/or change how I wanted to do the drywall. I'm not the greatest at finishing drywall so I'm going to hang it vertically to eliminate any butt joints. Not exactly how the pros do it, but it will be the easiest for me.

 

Looking sharp!

You can put 5/8 OSB or plywood up then you have something to screw shelves, etc to wherever you want.

 

That would be nice, but seriously break the budget

All in this should be around a $700 project trimmed and painted.

I've got all the measurements written down for my planned shelving, so shouldn't be too hateful to put everything back together.

 

So about 3/4 of the way done hanging the drywall. I'm definitely not good at this, but somehow I only fudged up one outlet. Not bad considering a couple sheets had a door/window and two outlets





In case anybody was wondering. 500+ lbs on the tailgate on a 4th gen is sketchy AF

 

nah not bad on the gate, but throwing some 2x4's or 4x8 plywood can help them too. only say that watched a guy drop a curb and watched like 4 sheets of Gypsum snap and hit the ground with the paper backer holding what was left together

 

Agreed. As much as the crap costs its worth supporting

 

You ain't kidding. 12 sheets 1/2", bag of 90 minute mud, USG Plus 3, some tape, and screws was $300

 

Did you use a drywall screw gun or just stick em and sink em?

 

Just carefully used my Milwaukee impact with a regular #2 bit. There was several times I sunk it too deep and had to put another screw beside it. Whoops

 

I find number 2 on the clutch setting to be just about perfect for that very reason