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I have a Kenmore[?] brand gas fired 50 gallon hot water heater. It's around 8 years old and
it's leaking at the base. Not a problem, I have the Sears home repair/replacement program.
I called Sears and after over an hour on the telephone finally set up a repair appointment.
This is where it gets messy.....
The tech arrived 2 days later! looked at my old water heater and said he can't replace it as it does not
meet code! I said I'm grandfathered. I even showed him my 1997 building permit green tag!
HUH? The house was built in 1966, since 1987 I have had Kenmore water heaters
This is my second one.
The water heater is located in a closet area in the main hallway. the area has a floor drain
and the room does have a curb.
The tech said the pressure relief line must drain "outside" I said that's impossible as this
water heater is in the middle of the house!
I asked for any options he said maybe I can route the drain directly to the floor drain..I said OK
He also said copper or CPVC only no PEX? ??????
I said OK do it ..he said "I can't" Then I realized he's not a licensed plumber!!!!
He's a drone from a major service company contracted by Sears!
I told him only a licensed plumber can connect or disconnect the gas line...he stared at me
I asked if he can just leave the new hot water heater he said no!
At this point I showed him the door. I called Sears service again and the games began!
If I did not want a licensed plumber to do the work I am fully capable to replacing a
water heater myself! In a former life I was diesel-fitter...Yep! I worked at the Hanes
panty hose factory and right before packaging I would hold up the panty hose
and go "yup..diesel-fitter" and then they would package the panty hose for shipment!
Simply put I have the tools and knowledge to unscrew a flex gas line, replace it using the
correct pipe dope and Teflon tape and test it for leaks at the connection!
BUT I'd prefer to have a licensed plumber with pipe fitting certification make that
connection to ensure my homeowner's insurance does not have a hissy fit should
something happen!
So... I finally had Sears agree to contact one of their plumbing contracts to do the
"special-unusual" hot water heater installation! I'm now waiting again.
By the way Monday the water heater failed and Around 8a.m. this all started. I was told I'd not have any service until maybe Friday! This is unacceptable! but I'm stuck.
Oh I even removed the accordian door and placed a small pump to help the person drain the tank!
I estimate from start to finish this job may take a bit over an hour. the water heater is a 4" lift to the hallway floor and then a short run to the front door and outside!
Finally Sears' call center for service is in the Philippines!!!! their contractor center at least for Phoenix is in
Tempe, AZ.
Maybe I should have simply said "screw the service contract" and gone to Home Depot and simply purchase
a new 50 gallon hot water heater! This would then simply be a morning job not a 5 day period without hot water ugh!
rant over!
Cactus Man
it's leaking at the base. Not a problem, I have the Sears home repair/replacement program.
I called Sears and after over an hour on the telephone finally set up a repair appointment.
This is where it gets messy.....
The tech arrived 2 days later! looked at my old water heater and said he can't replace it as it does not
meet code! I said I'm grandfathered. I even showed him my 1997 building permit green tag!
HUH? The house was built in 1966, since 1987 I have had Kenmore water heaters
This is my second one.
The water heater is located in a closet area in the main hallway. the area has a floor drain
and the room does have a curb.
The tech said the pressure relief line must drain "outside" I said that's impossible as this
water heater is in the middle of the house!
I asked for any options he said maybe I can route the drain directly to the floor drain..I said OK
He also said copper or CPVC only no PEX? ??????
I said OK do it ..he said "I can't" Then I realized he's not a licensed plumber!!!!
He's a drone from a major service company contracted by Sears!
I told him only a licensed plumber can connect or disconnect the gas line...he stared at me
I asked if he can just leave the new hot water heater he said no!
At this point I showed him the door. I called Sears service again and the games began!
If I did not want a licensed plumber to do the work I am fully capable to replacing a
water heater myself! In a former life I was diesel-fitter...Yep! I worked at the Hanes
panty hose factory and right before packaging I would hold up the panty hose
and go "yup..diesel-fitter" and then they would package the panty hose for shipment!
Simply put I have the tools and knowledge to unscrew a flex gas line, replace it using the
correct pipe dope and Teflon tape and test it for leaks at the connection!
BUT I'd prefer to have a licensed plumber with pipe fitting certification make that
connection to ensure my homeowner's insurance does not have a hissy fit should
something happen!
So... I finally had Sears agree to contact one of their plumbing contracts to do the
"special-unusual" hot water heater installation! I'm now waiting again.
By the way Monday the water heater failed and Around 8a.m. this all started. I was told I'd not have any service until maybe Friday! This is unacceptable! but I'm stuck.
Oh I even removed the accordian door and placed a small pump to help the person drain the tank!
I estimate from start to finish this job may take a bit over an hour. the water heater is a 4" lift to the hallway floor and then a short run to the front door and outside!
Finally Sears' call center for service is in the Philippines!!!! their contractor center at least for Phoenix is in
Tempe, AZ.
Maybe I should have simply said "screw the service contract" and gone to Home Depot and simply purchase
a new 50 gallon hot water heater! This would then simply be a morning job not a 5 day period without hot water ugh!
rant over!
Cactus Man
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