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| The Water Heater Enclosure Door |
The water heater is located at the back of the house, on a raised cement platform like thing and strapped to the outside wall for earthquake safety reasons. The heater is enclosed on three sides by a metal shed like structure, which is bolted to the wall and platform. The front door to the enclosure fits into a groove and one lifts the door up and then out to remove it. Well, the door went flying late last night and I found it on the ground this morning.
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| The Water Heater and the Cover |
I found the water heater still in its place, but, the metal cover had been torn off, the metal twisted, and standing next to the water heater! The whole thing had moved and the vent on top had torn off the top of the heater, but, was still attached to the top of the cover.
The pilot light on the water heater had gone off and there was no hot water, just some barely lukewarm water with which to wash in the morning. I heated some water in a pot on top of the stove and took a sponge bath instead of a hot shower.
Thankfully, I didn't see any other visible damage although I should probably get someone to inspect the roof.
When M arrived to tend to the garden in the morning, he placed the water heater cover back in place and tried to relight the pilot light, but, couldn't. So, I've contacted the gas company and requested a service check; they will send a technician out, tomorrow, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to check on it. Hopefully, they will be able to relight the pilot light. If not, I might have to get a new water heater. The current one was installed in 2017, I believe.
In the meantime, I could see the smoke from one of the wildfires:
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| "Where there's smoke..." |
It's not a cloud and there was a grey undertone to the cloud which is not that noticeable in the picture.
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| From the Front |
The winds died down quite a bit to day and the air quality went from "hazardous" to "bad" to "moderate" by evening. We've had the air purifiers going all day although I opened one or two windows to air out the house, later in the afternoon.
Poor Dancer had an upset stomach and I had to clean up after him twice, mopping the bathroom and parts of the family room, both times, and cleaning him up, too. Definitely not my favorite thing to do.
A new fire flared up this evening, a little north of Hollywood and, now there's news of yet another fire, which is a bit closer to home. My daughter and I have been watching the news all evening/ I have a couple of bags filled with a few essentials, ready to go if we are told to evacuate!
Today, I am grateful for:
- No major damage to the house from the wind and fire
- The gas company will send a technician out tomorrow to check on the water heater
- One of my neighbors giving me an estimate to replace the water heater, if needed
- Friends emailing to check on me
- The winds have died down considerably
- The gas company will send a technician out tomorrow to check on the water heater
- One of my neighbors giving me an estimate to replace the water heater, if needed
- Friends emailing to check on me
- The winds have died down considerably
Today's joyful activity was scheduling the gas technician to take a look at the water heater, tomorrow.
Needless to say, besides paying a bill, scheduling the water heater check, and cleaning up after Dancer, nothing much got done. I did wash a pair of knitted socks and I prepared sauteed ham and vegetables (potatoes, onions, green tomato, green peas) for dinner.
The winds blew down two oranges from the tree and I cut them up to share with my daughter:
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| Fresh Orange from the Tree |
Plans for Thursday:
- Wait for the gas company technician to check on the water heater
- Pay another bill/do more paperwork
- Clean the kitchen
- Pay another bill/do more paperwork
- Clean the kitchen
- Undecorate the Christmas tree
How was your Wednesday? What are your plans for Thursday? Hope everyone is safe where you are.
I'm so glad that you're safe! Fingers crossed that the water heater can be sorted out easily. Thank goodness it wasn't more affected! Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lyssa. As problems go, the water heater is very minor. A friend of mine just posted a picture of his house - completely burned down. :(
DeleteThe winds and fires are so scary. I hope you remain out of the path of them. Good luck with the hot water heater. I think it's a good idea to have the gas company look at it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, June. Yes, the winds and fires are scary. Waiting for the gas company technician to check the water heater.
DeleteYou are wise to have a "Go Bag" packed, but I'm praying you don't ever have to use it
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. I, too, hope that I will never need to evacuate!
DeleteCaspita... Ma che vento forte c'era per spostare la copertura dello scaldabagno?
ReplyDeleteWe've been having what they call Santa Ana winds, Stefania, with gusts up to 100 miles per hour according to the news. Those winds have caused several wildfires to spread like crazy in the Los Angeles area.
DeleteThe smoke seems too close for comfort to me. How far are you from the fires? You say you have a couple of bags packed ready, but maybe pack some food and water in the car as well, so you don't have to worry about supplies immediately if you do get evacuated.
ReplyDeleteI think the nearest fire was about 6 miles from me. Oh, yes, I've packed the car with food and water, as well, for us and for Dancer.
DeleteI hope you are okay, Bless. Xx
ReplyDeleteSo far so good, Jules. Thank you. :)
DeleteThe winds must've been bad! I hope the water heater can be easily fixed. I hope you don't have to evacuate, but even if, stay safe!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celie. They were saying on the news that wind gusts of up to 100 mph were clocked, so you know that it was blowing a gale! Still waiting on the gas company technician, but, I, too, hope that it will be an easy fix.
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