My simple six step process for fixing a water heater.
- Say “Oh no, not this again, didn’t I just fix the other water heater at the cottage?";
- Turn everything off and on again;
- Wait 24 hours in hope heater will spontaneously fix itself;
- Note that water is still cold;
- Cold shower actually kind of refreshing, now that I think about it;
- Investigate model of heater; search model number on Internet;
- Study Youtube videos on typical water heater problems;
- Purchase electrical multimeter with non-contact voltage tester 8 ) Explore wiring in farmhouse cellar; follow various wild goose chases of cables not actually connected to anything, let alone the water heater;
- We are now past six steps but we’re too far in to quit now;
- Test all fuses with multimeter; test wiring with non contact voltage tester;
- Decide that power is getting to water heater, but it’s not heating; it’s probably the heater element - I think I know how to replace one of those on account of having done it already at cottage but wow, what a pain this is going to be;
- Remove access panel on heater; stare at end of heater element, wonder if I can find one of these in the next town over. possibly tomorrow if I’m lucky;
- Notice sticker on water heater that says “Property of NB Power”;
- Get Cathy to call NB Power;
- 30 minutes later, two guys are here, they replace the thing with a different thing, heater instantly fixed.
#CantSpellHandymanWithoutHayman