For the past couple of months the water coming out of my water heater has been getting colder and colder. It’s to the level now that I can turn the shower on full-hot, do (only) what I have to in there, and get out to a mirror that hasn’t seen steam in weeks. The water heater is a rental, so I called the company to come and fix it.
Today a contractor came out to have a look. To start with, he ignored both the puppy and the cute kitty, so that was one strike against him already.
He felt the pipes coming out of the water heater and asked me to turn on the tap. I did. Then he asked me to compare the temperature of the pipe going out to the wash basin compared to the pipe coming directly out of the hot water tank. After being told it was too hot for him to touch, I held it. And held it. I had to admit it was a bit hotter than the other one, but not nearly as hot as he claimed it to be. Strike two.
Next, he told me it’s definitely the “mixer pipe” at the top of the tank, where the cold and the hot mix to regulate how much goes out so no one scalds themselves. “We only put these regulators on for the very young, the handicapped, and the elderly,” he said. “Everyone else has the sense to turn the cold on if the water’s too hot.” With a young son, a handicapped son, and an elderly mother that comes to visit, my thought was “Strike Three.”
You’d think that would be enough, but he got one more strike in before he left. “Do you have cash? Because, I don’t like to paint everyone with the same brush but people who’ve given me cheques in the past have ended up bouncing them and not paying. I can fix your mixer pipe for $200. Cash. It’s not covered under the rental of the water tank.”
Would you trust someone who doesn’t trust you? Or is he just a poor plumber who can’t get paid? Sounds fishy to me.
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February 27, 2016 at 9:43 am
Could be the heating elements. I live in Florida where the water has so many minerals in it that the elements get caked with them. I have to change them every couple of years.
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February 27, 2016 at 9:49 am
What I think I really need to do is take some of the water directly out of the tank and measure the temperature. You’d think the plumber could have done that yesterday… wish I’d have thought of it at the time.
Thanks for your insight, Don. We have loads of minerals here too. In fact, one of my toilets is filling slowly because of buildup.
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February 27, 2016 at 10:26 am
You’re welcome. Good luck.
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February 27, 2016 at 8:36 am
Trust your gut. Just reading this makes me not trust him. I wouldn’t have given any money, either.
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February 27, 2016 at 9:36 am
Luckily I didn’t even have to think about it – I’m bad at making split-second decisions where having things fixed is concerned – because I don’t have any cash in the house anyway.
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February 27, 2016 at 4:52 am
I’m not sure I understand the concept of renting a water heater, how does that work exactly?
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February 27, 2016 at 7:58 am
They install it for free, you pay a monthly fee, and if it goes wrong or needs to be replaced they come and do it for free. Of course, free is relative…
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February 27, 2016 at 8:01 am
Hmm, ok. Interesting idea.
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February 27, 2016 at 8:13 am
The good thing is, when you move in to a new place you take over the payments. When the existing one in the house when I bought the place started leaking after a year, they just came in and replaced it with a new one. Of course it’s an even better deal for the people moving out.
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February 26, 2016 at 11:19 pm
*SMH* Some people! He definitely sounds like a scam artist and I’m glad you’re talking with the rental company. I’ve never heard of a water heater being rented, but I guess that’s one of the things that’s different about Canada, eh?
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February 27, 2016 at 8:01 am
Until I wrote this post I didn’t know it was something only we do in Canada, so there you go. In the first house I owned, we even rented the furnace. 😛
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February 26, 2016 at 7:33 pm
No Linda, I wouldn’t trust that guy at all. $200 is highway robbery.
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February 27, 2016 at 8:06 am
I thought so, especially since I expected it to be a free repair.
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February 28, 2016 at 6:02 pm
Many ppl are just money hungry.
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February 26, 2016 at 7:18 pm
We had an almost word for word identical repair two weeks ago. The mixing valve was gunned up with minerals. The price is about right but almost any plumber can do it. One that has three strikes and then swings and misses at a forth attempt doesn’t deserve you business. Just my 2, maybe 3 cents.
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February 26, 2016 at 7:28 pm
If it’s really the problem then I might bypass the entire issue by getting a tankless system, which I’ve been thinking of doing for 3 years anyway. And if it’s a rental, it won’t cost a thing. Thanks for your input, Dan. 🙂
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February 26, 2016 at 7:10 pm
That would definitely be frustrating… and fishy. I hope there are other contractors you could contact. Best wishes with this one, Linda
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February 26, 2016 at 7:13 pm
Thanks, Lori. 🙂 I have to go through the rental company – I’ll be talking to them about their contractor.
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February 26, 2016 at 7:17 pm
Ah! well that is frustrating too! Dang it can’t they make it easier? lol good luck hun
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February 26, 2016 at 6:32 pm
Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’d be calling someone else out. ARGH!!
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February 26, 2016 at 6:53 pm
ARGH is right! I can’t just call anyone, according to the rental company’s terms of service. I’ll have to fight with them, unfortunately. I hope they have another contractor.
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February 26, 2016 at 7:00 pm
Double ARGH!!!!
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February 26, 2016 at 7:01 pm
Indeed!! 😉
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February 26, 2016 at 6:06 pm
Smells a bit fishy to me, too. I would also say check the temp dial, and the pilot light, as well.
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February 26, 2016 at 6:52 pm
It’s electric. I’ll try the temperature first, if I can find it. Thanks, Jeanne. 🙂
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February 26, 2016 at 5:19 pm
I smell fish!
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February 26, 2016 at 7:02 pm
Right? And who wants a fishy water tank?! 😛
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February 26, 2016 at 4:39 pm
I would definitely call up the ladder report all of the strikes and I would not pay cash. If the problem is not corrected, soon, I’d be looking for another company.
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February 26, 2016 at 6:58 pm
Yep. Or make sure the company looks into the business dealings of their contractor. Thanks for your input, JoAnna. 🙂
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February 26, 2016 at 4:12 pm
I would agree that this guy is not exactly on the up and up. If you are renting this unit, then they should replace it for you. If it’s an older unit, it’s not worth repairing, because a new one is only about $300 at Lowes.
Also, as other commenters have said, check the temp dial and turn it up if you can.
Good luck!
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February 26, 2016 at 6:56 pm
Thanks, Vanessence. 🙂 I’ll get it replaced one way or another, I think. But I’ll also be talking to the rental company about their contractor.
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February 26, 2016 at 4:09 pm
you know the answer…you way too smart!!! call his boss and ask him to approve the $$$…
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February 26, 2016 at 5:49 pm
I got the impression he owns the company, but that might have been more talking through his ass. I’m going to complain to the rental company – if they won’t send me another contractor, I’m going to the press.
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February 26, 2016 at 6:35 pm
Yep…you on top of it…but it could be the WH if it’s electric
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February 26, 2016 at 6:55 pm
It is electric, actually.
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February 26, 2016 at 6:57 pm
Could be a bad heating element…has the circuit breaker tripped lately?
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February 26, 2016 at 7:00 pm
Nope. And anyway, I am getting some warm water, so it’s not not working at all. It’s just not as hot as it should be.
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February 26, 2016 at 7:24 pm
There’s 2 elements…lose one and the other can’t do the job…long story short the “mixing valve ” don’t usually fail…have somebody check the elements…don’t put money on the table till they do
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February 26, 2016 at 7:26 pm
Thanks for the advice. I’ll talk to the rental company about it – that’ll be covered.
By the way, the guy who came today also told me they’ve replaced 5 mixing valves today alone… I’ve never replaced one in a house before, but then again I don’t know if I’ve ever had one before. And it’s only 5 years old.
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February 26, 2016 at 7:44 pm
Generally the mixing valve is on the bathtub/shower…only 5yr old? Nope, nothing wrong with it…he’s a lair and crook!!! Report him to the water heater folks
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February 27, 2016 at 8:07 am
I shall. Thanks, my dear, for your help. 🙂
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February 27, 2016 at 8:09 am
Wish I lived there I could do more
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February 27, 2016 at 8:14 am
One of those, ‘it’s the thought that counts’ things – and it’s greatly appreciated in this case. 🙂
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February 27, 2016 at 8:55 am
good luck
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February 26, 2016 at 3:50 pm
Uh, no, I would call someone else.
We don’t have a regulator on our temp either. It took Moo some time to adjust, because we always had one before and I’m pretty sure they’re standard SINCE I’VE NEVER LIVED WITHOUT ONE AND I’VE LIVED IN ABOUT 30 PLACES. (That may be a US code thing. I dunno.) I second Paul’s comment to check your temp dial.
Definitely call someone else.
I presume you have hunted out YouTube tutorials and the like?
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February 26, 2016 at 5:47 pm
I’ve done some research, yes. Apparently it’s code to install them on new heaters and in new houses in Ontario, but it’s up to the homeowner to keep them or not. I apparently can’t get someone else to fix the problem or the rental agreement will be forfeit. I’m going back to the rental company to complain on Monday, and maybe switch to a different type of system altogether, which will make this a non-issue. Thanks for your input, Joey. 🙂
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February 26, 2016 at 5:51 pm
Best of luck getting it sorted 🙂
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February 26, 2016 at 6:51 pm
Thanks. 🙂
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February 26, 2016 at 3:49 pm
Reblogged this on 61chrissterry and commented:
Also cash does not leave a trail, if the work proves to be faulty what is your come back.
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February 26, 2016 at 5:42 pm
Indeed! Thanks for the reblog. 🙂
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February 26, 2016 at 3:45 pm
You haven’t said anything about how old the tank is, if +7 years then it’s near the end if its’ lifecycle, and probably needs replaced. If not, then I have to ask, not knowing where in the world you live, if you drain it every 6 months. Hard water will build up calcium deposits, and when enough build up the water can’t get as hot.
Now, it could very well be the mixer as he says, but I would get a second opinion on that. $200 sounds reasonable for the job (considering how much plumbers get paid).
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February 26, 2016 at 5:41 pm
The tank’s only about 5 years old. There’s a distinct possibility it’s lime and calcium buildup; we have very hard water here (here being Ontario, Canada). And no, I don’t drain it every six months, though from what I’ve read it doesn’t help much. I’ve read online how I can scrape the deposits off, but it’s a very involved process. I may ask the rental company what they recommend – but I don’t want the same contractor back. Thanks for your input. 🙂
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February 26, 2016 at 6:35 pm
If you have an option, ask for a tankless. Cheaper to run, easier to clean out.
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February 26, 2016 at 6:54 pm
Yep. My house is heated with a boiler, so it actually makes the most sense to go with tankless.
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February 26, 2016 at 3:41 pm
I would agree, it definitely sounds fishy! The cheek of some people… If I were you I would tell the rental company that this guy was not professional and they need to send another to fix the heater.
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February 26, 2016 at 5:32 pm
I will! Thanks for your input, Miss Andi. 🙂
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February 26, 2016 at 5:46 pm
My pleasure 😊
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February 26, 2016 at 3:40 pm
It’s a scam Linda -pay nothing. the rental fee that you pay month in and month out and have for years, covers all repairs and/or replacement – you should not have to pay one penny. And that is why he wants cash because it is untraceable. Call whoever you rent the tank from and tell them to bring a new one. Most are not fixable. I would suggest you try one thing before you do that (oh and by the way most mixers are at the faucet level behind the wall not on the water heater – that way if a faucet needs a mixer – say a tub faucet – they get it whereas faucets not requiring it don’t).
At the base of the water tank there is a dial (it is poorly marked if at all but it is the only dial there) and that dial regulates the temperature of the water inside. It’s about the size of the bottom of a water glass and has a finger grip that turns inside a housing. Depending on what type of tank it is there may be piping or wires connected to it. Don’t be shy to crank it – usually clockwise is hotter and counter clockwise is cooler. Turn it all the way and give it a few minutes and then try your hot water faucet and see what the temp is. I will tell you this – most tanks will deliver water far hotter than you want, so if you get the water hotter, turn the dial back a bit at a time, trying the water until you are satisfied with the temperature.
If that doesn’t work, then call the supplier – you have paid for that tank many times over the years, don’t let them try to collect more money form you.
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February 26, 2016 at 5:31 pm
I’ve been busy doing research, partly based on your comment and partly on others. The plumber swore there was no point turning up the heat on the tank (based on his feel of the pipes) but there’s a good chance the mixer valve is at fault anyway. There’s also a good possibility that there’s a calcium buildup that’s the reason behind the problems. Rather than fight (though I will try to get this resolved, but if I can’t) I may just switch to a tankless heater, making this one a non-issue. I WILL complain about the contractor though. I don’t want to have to deal with him again. In the meantime, I’ll try (again) to find the thermostat.
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