Talk About Timing

[DaveM]

Well if it were a normal working day it would have been a disaster as the ceiling would have eventually come down and everything would have been destroyed. It is really making me think that having it in the roof like that is not such a great idea all round.

 

[Rocky]

I'm a bit stunned that a water tank is housed inside a ceiling.
Water is very heavy and I'm thinking also of the weight that must be borne by the structure.
They will all leak eventually so that's a disaster waiting to happen.
Is that a common home design feature over there?
Building codes would never allow that here.
Sorry you're having such a bad time with the damage.

 

[DaveM]

Yes this is the way we always do it and it has a tray under it for any leaks but not a rush of water as this was

 

[CarlS]

Dave, I am sorry to hear about the extensive damage. I suggest that you be there when the contractors start.

 

[Qship]

Sorry for your unfortunate chain of events lately, Dave. Is there anyway to run a drain from the dip tray under the heater to a drain or directly outside to prevent this from happening again?

 

[hemibee]

Wow, I'm off line a few days and come back to read this? Sorry to hear of your troubles but as been said before, good thing it wasn't a normal work day for you. That would have been a real mess if it had gone on for several more hours.

Water heaters in the ceiling are common around here. If you keep a close eye on them you can usually avoid issues unless they do like yours and let go all at once.

I need to talk to your electric power provider. I could get a BIG bonus if I set up our system to also deliver water.

 

[DaveM]

Sorry for your unfortunate chain of events lately, Dave. Is there anyway to run a drain from the dip tray under the heater to a drain or directly outside to prevent this from happening again?

They did all this with the new install so I sure hope that it will not happen again.

 

[Gromit]

Shall I one-up you? We had no electricity whatsoever for more than 12 days. We had 400v coming through 1 of the phases and 0v through the other. But the best part was that the electricity was coming through the taps so I did a really funny jig and dance in the shower!!! Actually, not so funny. I was really scared! Anyway, have a portable gas cooker so at least we could have a hot wash until it was all sorted. But the one bright spark (pardon the pun) electrician, told us that the problem was that the thermostat in the 2 geysers had blown hence the earth leakage?? Really? We got a new electrician. Full size gas cooker also now installed - at least if nothing else, I can cook and have hot water

 

[Rocky]

All I can say is wow!!
BTW, good to hear from you Gromit
Don't be a stranger.

 

[triumph david]

Dave, sorry to hear about all the water, that always is expensive even with a small leak. Can you place the tank on the floor in the house? I know it would not protect the floor but the ceiling and walls ect. would be protected.

 

[DaveM]

Dave, sorry to hear about all the water, that always is expensive even with a small leak. Can you place the tank on the floor in the house? I know it would not protect the floor but the ceiling and walls ect. would be protected.

I actually think that might be against our building code this side and besides that I have not place to put it on the floor. The best bet would be to have it installed outside in a store room but I also don't have any of those as I converted all that space into an apartment when I purchased my place.

 

[triumph david]

Just curious, what reasons do they give for not allowing placement on the floor? Most people have there water heaters in pans on the floor on this side, that's where mine is.

 

[CarlS]

Shall I one-up you? We had no electricity whatsoever for more than 12 days. We had 400v coming through 1 of the phases and 0v through the other. But the best part was that the electricity was coming through the taps so I did a really funny jig and dance in the shower!!! Actually, not so funny. I was really scared! Anyway, have a portable gas cooker so at least we could have a hot wash until it was all sorted. But the one bright spark (pardon the pun) electrician, told us that the problem was that the thermostat in the 2 geysers had blown hence the earth leakage?? Really? We got a new electrician. Full size gas cooker also now installed - at least if nothing else, I can cook and have hot water

Gromit, I am glad the you did not get fried! That is serious stuff.

 

[DaveM]

Just curious, what reasons do they give for not allowing placement on the floor? Most people have there water heaters in pans on the floor on this side, that's where mine is.

I am not sure now that you ask but it is just the standard thing to have them in the roof like that, I am however now sorry I did not explore this a bit more and possibly have had it moved to another location out of the way.

 

[triumph david]

Just look like it would be a $$ saver, if i didn't have a wife i would put mine outside.