Hot Water!!!

After three days, we finally have hot water!!!!!  Yaaaaahooooooo!

Out hot water heater died on Monday after a long, lingering illness.  NOW all the strange behavior exhibited by our hot water heater over the last year makes sense.  It was just leaking and leaking out of the bottom.  Since the water heater sat right next to the sump pump, we never noticed the trickle of water.

ANYWAY... during the worst winter storm we've ever had  - no hot water.

When I realized on Monday morning that something was wrong, I called Greg and he said he'd stop by on his way home from work to take a look.  He pronounced it dead within minutes.

Since our hot water heater was a "direct vent" hot water heater, replacing it on Monday night after a huge snow was a trick.  Greg was all over Wilmington trying to find a hot water heater and an installation kit to match.  One place had a hot water heater - another place had a kit.  Unfortunately, they didn't match.

It was 9:30 before he was able to get back with a hot water heater AND a kit to match.  He (with Michael's able assistance) got as far as he could on Monday night, but they couldn't finish.

Tuesday, back again after a short trip home after work to change his clothes, say hi to his gang, and get something to eat. 

The next round of snow started on Tuesday afternoon and by the time Greg arrived, it was snowing hard - accumulations of up to 2 feet expected.  At 9:45 PM, he realized that he needed another fitting.  So off he went in the blizzard to Home Depot.  When he got there, they had just closed, but he was persistent, banging on doors, until they finally let him in to get the part. 

Michael arrived home from work shortly after Greg got back from Home Depot.  Greg was in the process of drilling a 4 inch hole in the concrete block for the intake vent.  Greg got the hole drilled and Michael helped him put the vents in and all looked well.   Until...

Everything was together - all of the water lines had been soldered - the hole in the wall drilled - vents installed - water heater mounted, but ONE last part missing for the gas connection.  Nothing more to do but quit for the night.

Wednesday morning, the storm raged on.  The Governor declared a State of Emergency - but we needed that part sooooo we found a Home Depot that was opened and off we went.  (My little CRV goes great in the snow)

Three hours later (we took the scenic route) we were home with the part.  Michael installed the part and we hoped that all would be well, but it was not to be!  The threads were stripped on one of the fittings, soooooo we had a water leak that wouldn't quit.

Greg again made it to Home Depot in blizzard conditions to pick up a new fitting - just as they were closing . 

To make a long story, just a tiny bit shorter... after finding some problems INSIDE the water heater (no... they were not taking it down and returning it), they creatively fixed the broken part... made a final inspection and...

HOT WATER!!!

I am so grateful for Greg's ablities and his tenacity and for Amy's cooperation to get this completed in the worst conditions imaginable!  Being stuck in the house with 3 housebound kids could NOT have been fun!  I think dinner out for everyone is in order - my treat!

I don't want to forget Michael's assistance (he and Greg are considering using their experience to start a "tankless hot water heater" installation business.  I did a fine job, too... sitting in a chair close by asking repeatedly, "Greg... are you watching the time?  It's getting late, Greg". But then, I've had lots of experience in the nagging department!

I also wanted to thank Matthew, who came with his dad yesterday and joined me for a popcorn party!

It's SO easy to take things like hot water for granted.  The first entry in my "grateful journal" yesterday was... guess what????  You betcha!  Hot water!