[cln56]

I am a single Mom, my hot water heater (electric) is 26yrs old, and I pay my power company $5 per month for a warranty to fix/replace it when it dies. I am remodeling the utility room that the heater is in, and I want to have it replaced before I remodel this room, because if the heater breaks after I remodel it might ruin my remodel, is there anything I can do to "make" it break/appear broken so that they will replace it? My brother can do the "deed" for me if I cant do it myself, HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A 26YR OLD WATER HEATER?? I HAVE NEVER HAD A BIT OF REPAIR DONE ON IT!!! Please help me "kill" it, thanks

[IFIXH20]

I want go into a Religious rant, but HONESTY is the way to go. Just bite the bullet and have it replaced.

[havasu]

I've never heard of a working 26 year old w/h. Maybe sell it back to the company for being such a good product?

[stevemachine]

The oldest I've saw is probably 45+ years old or so. An old school rheem. I don't think there's much you can do to make it die besides maybe kicking it but really it's pretty hard to make something quit without it being obvious that it was intentionally damaged.

[johnjh2o]

Drain it and don't turn the power off to it . That will fry the element. Chances are it's an old four bolt element that will fall apart when they try to replace it. OOPS did I just say that?

John

[IFIXH20]

Originally Posted by cln56

I am a single Mom, my hot water heater (electric) is 26yrs old, and I pay my power company $5 per month for a warranty to fix/replace it when it dies. I am remodeling the utility room that the heater is in, and I want to have it replaced before I remodel this room, because if the heater breaks after I remodel it might ruin my remodel, is there anything I can do to "make" it break/appear broken so that they will replace it? My brother can do the "deed" for me if I cant do it myself, HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A 26YR OLD WATER HEATER?? I HAVE NEVER HAD A BIT OF REPAIR DONE ON IT!!! Please help me "kill" it, thanks

I don't mean to go on , but people like you put people like me out of business, first the power co next the plumbing contractor. You can remodel your utility room but can't afford to replace the water heater.

[stevemachine]

Originally Posted by johnjh2o

Drain it and don't turn the power off to it . That will fry the element. Chances are it's an old four bolt element that will fall apart when they try to replace it. OOPS did I just say that?

John

Ah that's interesting actually. I knew the whole drain it and don't turn it off but never knew of the four bolt elements. Never saw one before, guess ill have to google it

[Caduceus]

I would first have to ask you what indicates that the water heater is 26 years old? Have you physically owned it for 26 years? Is the manufacturing date stamped on it clearly? Some people confuse code dates with manufacturing dates, that's what I'm getting at. It may actually be newer than you thought. Hearing that it has never been serviced in 26 years just makes me a little skeptical.
Second, reread the warranty info for the tank provided by the power company. Be sure that the warranty covers all circumstances, not just power surges, damage from outages, faulty wiring, etc. as well as any additional charges for installation or required service upgrades to meet codes. Seems like there's always reason to be cautious and read the fine print so you don't screw yourself. Many utility companies do not actually provide the insurance, they just offer it and a sub contracted company honors the warranty. This applies to most water, sewer and gas line insurance policies.

[cln56]

yes we have owned it for 26yrs, warranty from power company covers EVERYTHING, we pay $5 per month for it, we already had new elements installed in a now 23 yr old tank a few yrs ago under this warranty, yes they do contract with a plumbing co. to do the check and work

[cln56]

it's actually a Montgomery Ward water heater