passatdoc
Well-known member
First, thanks for all the helpful advice people here gave me.
Plumber came and confirmed that the heater is in good shape, though somewhat behind the eight ball re: periodic maintenance. The TPR valve was indeed the culprit and was replaced.
He also replaced the anode wire which was about shot. We upgraded the drain valve from the narrow valve supplied with the heater to a wide-bore one, and now that baby REALLY drains when you hook up a hose. Before it was like trying to drain through a straw.
He said he's seen well-maintained Bradford-Whites go 20+ years, with twice a year draining and regular anode wire inspections. Back when water heaters cost $300, I guess you could dispense with the maintenance and just treat them as disposable appliances, but not when they cost $500-600 and up. The low NOX and pezio ignition requirements have driven the prices much higher, and people who have to replace an old unit are probably in for some sticker shock.
Plumber came and confirmed that the heater is in good shape, though somewhat behind the eight ball re: periodic maintenance. The TPR valve was indeed the culprit and was replaced.
He also replaced the anode wire which was about shot. We upgraded the drain valve from the narrow valve supplied with the heater to a wide-bore one, and now that baby REALLY drains when you hook up a hose. Before it was like trying to drain through a straw.
He said he's seen well-maintained Bradford-Whites go 20+ years, with twice a year draining and regular anode wire inspections. Back when water heaters cost $300, I guess you could dispense with the maintenance and just treat them as disposable appliances, but not when they cost $500-600 and up. The low NOX and pezio ignition requirements have driven the prices much higher, and people who have to replace an old unit are probably in for some sticker shock.
