Friday was payday.

This payday in particular was special to me. I get paid every two weeks and apply my funds to bills on a very regimented schedule (just the way my creditors like it). Occasionally, once or twice per year, I end up with a paycheck that has no bills attached to it. Basically, it’s free money (well, money that I don’t have to immediately disperse to others).

I got my check, deposited the entire thing into savings, and dreamed a little dream of what I might spend it on in the future.

I ended up spending a huge chunk of it the very next day.

I awoke on Saturday morning to the sound of the blower on my water heater going. I thought this was odd, because I heard it going on Friday night, so I went down to the furnace room (which is also where my water heater is located) to check it out.

Sure enough…. no hot water for me.

I started poking about with it, trying to troubleshoot exactly what the issue might be. The power vent was running, which creates a vacuum for the vacuum switch, which would start the electronic igniter, which should light the gas burner… but there was no flame.

I checked for power, gas, etc…. still no flame.

Crap… it’s gotta be the regulator.

So… I called a plumber to come check it out. I explained to the dispatcher what I had done for troubleshooting and what I assumed the issue was. I asked if they would have the part on the truck and was assured that it would be (it was Saturday and the warehouse that keeps the parts closes at noon).

At 11:30, the truck pulled up and a large man with a very thick Russian accent knocked on my door. I showed him to the giant vat of not so very hot water and he began to tear it apart, humming to himself the entire time. I pretty much just left him alone (I hate it when people watch over my shoulder when I work.

He replaced the igniter (um… that was working just fine), and tested the other components. Then dropped the bomb on me. “I’m sorry, but I can not fix” he said. “It must be regulator, I no have on truck”.

Of course, that announcement was made at 12:20… the parts warehouse is now closed until monday. Thus began the great search for a new one (I wanted the ability to take a shower, wash clothes, and perhaps some dishes before Monday).  On a positive note, he didn’t charge me anything.  “We have policy.  I no fix, there no charge” he informed me.

Damn spiffy policy in my opinion!!

5 stores and about $600 later, I found one (the only one in town): the Kenmore Power Vent 50 Gallon Natural Gas water heater.

Since it was about 6″ taller than the old one, I had to do some modifications to the plumbing to make it work (change the height of the input and output lines) and I added a shutoff to the hot side (so if I ever have to work on it, I can shut both the hot and cold water off and not drain the whole damn house). I finally finished with it around 7:00 pm.

Of course, in true Casa de WWBD fashion, I have company right now (the only time a major appliance fails in my house is when I have people staying with me), but at least it wasn’t my friend Tom this time 🙂