I went downstairs to start making a holster......

[gregintenn]

....and I noticed I was standing in several inches of water! Apparently, my water heater's thermostat quit working, and it became a pressure cooker sometime today. I replaced both thermostats (I have no idea how to tell which one is bad, but they're both the same age), and the pop off valve(I've had bad luck with these avter they've activated), several trips to dump the shop vac later, and I'm back in business. Anyway, how do you check to see if a thermostat is good or bad? Is there any indication they are about to go bad, or does it just happen?

[K191145]

There's usually no indication on a water heater stat, either they lock open and wont heat the water or lock closed and over heat, locking closed is the worst senerio of course.

What are you making the holster for? I would be interested in seeing how you made it, I made a holster for my Glock 21 with that silly picitinny rail, it's not factory quality stitching but it's thick leather and as strong as any factory made holster.

Edited March 27, 2011 by K191145

[enfield]

There is a handy little item they sell at Lowe's and probably anywhere else you'd buy a water heater or repair parts. It's a water alarm, battery operated. You place the sensing unit on the floor or in the pan at the base of the heater and mount the sounding unit in a higher location. When it senses water the alarm goes off.

I'm beginning to think I should flip my WH breaker and turn off the water when I go on trips.

[hardknox00001]

I'm beginning to think I should flip my WH breaker and turn off the water when I go on trips.

This.

Not only have I heard about water heater problems while on trips but you have to watch those rubber hoses to the washing machine. I knew a fellow that went on a week trip and his hoses must have busted soon right after he left. Long story short, whole house had to have the floor replaced.

[gregintenn]

This.

Not only have I heard about water heater problems while on trips but you have to watch those rubber hoses to the washing machine. I knew a fellow that went on a week trip and his hoses must have busted soon right after he left. Long story short, whole house had to have the floor replaced.

I've replaced mine with braided hoses. While not foolproof, they are a lot stronger, and cheap insurance in my opinion.

There is a handy little item they sell at Lowe's and probably anywhere else you'd buy a water heater or repair parts. It's a water alarm, battery operated. You place the sensing unit on the floor or in the pan at the base of the heater and mount the sounding unit in a higher location. When it senses water the alarm goes off.

Now that;s a neat idea. I may look into one of those.

What are you making the holster for? I would be interested in seeing how you made it, I made a holster for my Glock 21 with that silly picitinny rail, it's not factory quality stitching but it's thick leather and as strong as any factory made holster.

Right now I'm working on an IWB holster and matching belt for a 1911 Commander. It looks to me like you've got the holster making figured out. This tutorial helped me a lot: JDLawhon.com - Holstermaking 101 As fr the stitching, I'd say you are just a couple of tools away from perfect stitching. An adjustable groover, a freehand groover, an overstitch wheel, and a diamond shaped awl would help immensly.

[gregintenn]

I've replaced mine with braided hoses. While not foolproof, they are a lot stronger, and cheap insurance in my opinion.

Now that;s a neat idea. I may look into one of those.

Right now I'm working on an IWB holster and matching belt for a 1911 Commander. It looks to me like you've got the holster making figured out. This tutorial helped me a lot: JDLawhon.com - Holstermaking 101 As fr the stitching, I'd say you are just a couple of tools away from perfect stitching. An adjustable groover, a freehand groover, an overstitch wheel, and a diamond shaped awl would help immensly.

I have one of those plastic water heaters, and I can only get parts from the local electric company. There was only a young girl there answering the phone, but she agreed to sell me the parts. She wanted to know why I was buying both thermostats, and not just the one that went bad. I told her I wasn't smart enough to determine which one was the problem, and I'd prefer to replace both rather than to come back again later and have to clean up all that water again. I think she saw it my way after that.

[Guest Ae-35]

Week ago Sat. night got up at 11:45, acid reflux, walked in spare bedroom, carpet was soaked, checked hall door, hot water-heater had busted in the back ,at the seam, about half-way up. LOT's of water !!!!!! Spent 6hr. suck'n up water, and drying for 5 days !!! Was at Home Depot when they opened for a new one !!! Fun way to spend a Sunday ! Not !

[enfield]

I have one of those plastic water heaters, and I can only get parts from the local electric company. There was only a young girl there answering the phone, but she agreed to sell me the parts. She wanted to know why I was buying both thermostats, and not just the one that went bad. I told her I wasn't smart enough to determine which one was the problem, and I'd prefer to replace both rather than to come back again later and have to clean up all that water again. I think she saw it my way after that.

It seems to me, and I may be wrong, that if you get hot water after a normal wait period, but it doesn't stay hot long, it's the lower stat that's bad (i.e. locked open). If you have to wait a longer time for hot water, and it doesn't last, it's the upper stat that's bad. All assuming that both heating elements are good.

Anybody else have any thoughts on this?

It also seems to me that gas heaters are less trouble than electric.

Edited March 28, 2011 by enfield

[K191145]

Week ago Sat. night got up at 11:45, acid reflux, walked in spare bedroom, carpet was soaked, checked hall door, hot water-heater had busted in the back ,at the seam, about half-way up. LOT's of water !!!!!! Spent 6hr. suck'n up water, and drying for 5 days !!! Was at Home Depot when they opened for a new one !!! Fun way to spend a Sunday ! Not !

No way to predict when that's going to happen. Lucky for me I guess mine developed a very small leak and I was able to drain it before it soaked everything.

[K191145]

It seems to me, and I may be wrong, that if you get hot water after a normal wait period, but it doesn't stay hot long, it's the lower stat that's bad (i.e. locked open). If you have to wait a longer time for hot water, and it doesn't last, it's the upper stat that's bad. All assuming that both heating elements are good.

Anybody else have any thoughts on this?

It also seems to me that gas heaters are less trouble than electric.

The only way I could ever tell is using an amp meter to see which element is working, then check the element to see if it's the stat or the element.

I wasn't a plumber but have connected the gas pipe and vent to many a gas water heater. If my WH was in a different area of the house I would definatly have gas. One of the best things about gas WH's is that if you loose power you still have hot water. The only problems with gas is the home owners who don't know how to light a pilot light, and if they are installed in the garage, the home owners who place there can of lawnmower gasoline right next to it even though they are supposed to be installed 18" off the floor. They need a gasoling buster sign on them, that's sure to work.