Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a picture of a hot water heater like this one spewing water all over the place? I guess anyone who’s experienced that, like we did this weekend, doesn’t stop to think of taking a picture in the moment. The initial thoughts, aside from curse words, generally tend to be along the lines of “What do we do?!” and “Where’s the bucket?!”
My son was fixing himself something to eat when he said, “Do you hear that?” Darc and I stopped what we were doing and I went toward the kitchen to investigate. At first, I thought it might be a hose on the fridge or something. But no. Then I thought maybe the washing machine … but on the way to the washer, I passed by the water heater closet and realized where the sound of running water was coming from. I opened the door – and remember the light in there blew out a long time ago so it’s kind of dark – and saw that it was raining inside the closet. For a split second I thought it might be coming from the neighbors upstairs but then I realized it was coming from that little expansion tank on the top of the water heater. And I mean! It was like someone turned on a faucet almost full blast! Water everywhere! And coming fast! The expansion tank somehow sprung 3 or 4 leaks simultaneously. From the top, from the bottom, from the side, the water blitzed us.
I tried calling the office and kept getting sent to their voicemail system. Well I didn’t have time to wait around for that! So I threw on some clothes and ran over there.
Wouldn’t you know, the lady was signing a contract with some new tenants. I didn’t want to interrupt, but I had to interrupt so I stood there trying to look frantic. It didn’t really stretch my acting skills. 
She asked me what was wrong and all I said at first was that I had an emergency. I was afraid to blurt out something that might potentially cost them a client. Hearing a current tenant talk about a serious problem surely isn’t good business. But she asked me without leaving her desk, so I answered.
Boy howdy did she get up fast! I felt bad for the poor couple sitting there with their newborn but I had a downpour in my unit! And a husband doing his best to catch what he could in a bucket.
Well wouldn’t you know. The guys in the maintenance crew were running a float in a parade today, for the holiday coming up, and the office lady had no idea who was on call and every person she called didn’t answer. She left messages for like 5 guys before someone finally called her back.
Eventually we were able to get the water shut off. The valve was kind of stiff, Lord only knows the last time anyone turned it. Eventually someone came in to take off the part that was leaking and put a temporary seal on it until we can get a new expansion tank put on tomorrow. Eventually we had warmish water again. They want to keep the heat minimized so it doesn’t scald them when they change out the tank thing, so I can’t turn it up high. *sigh* You know, that’s really way more excitement than I need in a year, let alone a week or a day!
And of course, it happens on a day when I really need a lot of hot water, what with baths and laundry and dishes, oh my.
At least it’s not raining inside my home anymore!
And how was your weekend?
Photo courtesy of: Hot water heater leaking. Water heater leaking problem
The "Ness" in DarcNess ;) 
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