I took a shower this morning (shower every two days whether need it or not-gotta watch for that old person smell). The hot water stopped midway through my shower. I also sensed a little rotten egg smell, and maybe a little color to the water. I have had my current water heater for about 20 years, so after I dried myself off, I went to the library to look up a repair book.
Now I know I can ‘YouTube’ a quick answer, but I prefer reading when possible. I looked up my “Better Homes & Gardens Handyman’s Book” printed in 1957.
I like “Better Homes & Gardens”. I also have in the library, their “Decorating Book” published in 1961. It gives quaint ideas for your home-ideas that I grew up around.
In fact, I also have a copy of Better Homes & Garden magazine “August 1959”.
This issue is special because it has an article, and blue prints to order, of the house I grew up in. Mom and Dad liked the layout, and the house was built in Winthrop Harbor.
But I digress from the issue at hand. There was no instructions on water heaters from the BH & G book. So I went to my copy of Reader’s Digest “Fix-It-Yourself Manual”, published in 1977.
I found all the things to test and check out. Found out that you are supposed to drain tank every year. Well, twenty years of not doing that. So I tried to pull the Anti-corrosion rod out, and it was too built up with junk to fit through. “Damn” I though to my self, as I then just tapped the side of the water heater with my wrench.
Where I hit the water heater, a small pinprick appeared, shooting out a little stream of water. This time I shouted “Damn,” and ran to the garage to get duct tape to cover the hole. The room that houses my water heater, also has carpeting, and my Library Annex, with seven bookcases and several cabinets. My sense of urgency grew. After taping, I turned off water and gas, then began taking connections off, trying to drain water from other spigots.
Using a handcart, I wheeled the forty gallon water heater out of the room, and through the basement to take it outside via the sliding door to the back yard. It began leaking a little more as I pushed and bumped over the threshold. I lost control forward, pushing the water heater to the ground outside. I fell on top of it, pulling the screen door with me. When it hit the concrete patio, the pinhole grew substantially.
As I lay on top of the water heater, now draining rather quickly, I muttered “Damn” once again. Covered with water, and a crumpled screen door, I got up to survey my problem, especially the trail of water from library annex through basement, pooling just outside the sliding door. My wife came downstairs to see what was happening. A brief look caused her to quickly backup, and leave me to my own devices.
After changing clothes, I drove the truck to local Farm and Fleet. They did not have in stock the water heater that would match up to my connections (I did not want to re-pipe. I just wanted to reconnect). I then drove to neighboring town of East Peoria, and visited Lowes. They were doing inventory, and swarms of people were in the plumbing section. However none were able, or wanting, to help me.
I had to actually call the store on my phone, to get assistance to help me. Damn. It was such an inconvenience for them to stop inventory counters in the aisle, ask them to leave, so an associate could get a forklift in the aisle to pull down a water heater from the top storage racking.
I finally got it purchased, and put in my truck. Brought it home, wheeled it downstairs, and reconnected the new water heater. I turned on the water and gas, and could then smell gas. I tried tightening connections to no avail. It still smelled like gas. Damn. I turned the gas off and went back to Farm and Fleet to get a new flexible hose to work between the hard gas pipe and the water heater.
After the new tubing was installed, I turned it back on, and once full of water, the heater roared to life, and water started to heat up. Everything done. I then went back into the library to relax and read a bit. I pulled out “Character Calendar” by Sister Mary Fidelis and Sister Mary Charitas by Bruce Publishing Company, published in 1931
I read it whenever there is a bad day, because it highlights a Saint for every day of the year, along with mottos and ideals to live up to. Today was for St. Hugh, a bishop. St Hugh was the bishop of Grenoble. He tried to reform the corruption of his congregation, but gave up after two years, and hid in a monastery. The pope commanded him back to his post to finish restoring his town, cathedral, and faith of the people. He did. St Hugh died on this date and was canonized by Pope Innocent II.
Today’s ideal from the Church is to think about: “Do you crave being in the “limelight”? If you happen to be in a group today that is discussing the topic on which you have some information that you would love to give, just look back on and say nothing unless you are asked, and if you are asked an opinion, try to give it with the air of “you could all teach me a great deal” in your tone.”
Today’s slogan is “A fool’s heart is on his tongue.”
It is a fool’s day today. My shower was actually great. But I did browse through those books today. Thanks for reading.
Librarytomes 