January 21, 2014

Welcome Neighbor in Englewood, FL

We have been sleeping in late-mostly because it has been so cold in the morning and we just don’t want to leave the warm cocoon of our bed.  So when the alarm went off at 7:30 this morning I just wanted to turn it off and go back to sleep but knowing I would probably feel like that I had placed the alarm clock out of reach forcing me to get up.

We were expected at a Koffee Klatch to welcome new residents to the park.   We had arrived in the park at the end of November so we have already had the opportunity to meet a lot of the neighbors but still, it was a nice gathering. 

 

 

Thelma, our block captain, had dropped off an invitation and questionnaire last week.  I filled it out in such great depth that had Monte cringing at the amount of personal information I was revealing. 

Little did I know that the new residents were going to be asked to stand up at the Klatch while a member of the welcoming committee read their responses written on the questionnaire.

 

 

 

Back home, while Monte began the chore of cleaning out our hot water heater (See step by step instructions below), I inserted pictures I had printed from my Dad’s birthday party into a frame I bought for him.

 Yearly Water Heater Service

1.     Go to water control valve and put in bypass position for water heater

        2.     Take off access panel to water heater.

3.     Remove anode and water will drain from water tank.

      4.     Observe debris coming out of tank



after just 1 year in service.

5.     Make a flusher or buy one and get ready to flush tank

      6.     Remove gas fittings and burner tube to give you better access to fitting on tank.

 

 

 

7.     Insert  flusher into tank and begin spraying water into tank allowing more debris to come out of tank.

      8.     Reinsert anode into tank and go back to water bypass valve and begin filling tank again.

9.     Shut off water from bypass valve and remove anode and a large stream of water will flush out more debris.   You might have to do additional flushing to remove as much debris from tank as possible.

     10.      Next remove black cover from water heater element and procede to remove connections.

 

11.      Using a large thin walled socket remove the heating element.

       12.      Observe the element. You can remove as much water scale debris as possible being careful not to damage the element.  Some times the element is beyond saving and needs to be replaced.  Regular service will prevent damage to the element.

13.  Notice more debris inside near the element.

14.  When you are all through reassemble all the parts.

          15.      Make a mixture of soap and water to spray on all of the connections of the gas fittings. 

 You will need to turn 0n the gas burner of the water heater to check for leaks.  Once the gas ignites check for a proper flame in the gas chamber.

16.   If you complete everything properly you should have minimum body damage.

17.   If you service your unit yearly and replace the anode on a yearly basis your electric heating element should last many years.

18.  Happy water heater service.