Yesterday I gave a run down on the house improvements that we hope to get done this year. We ended up having another one. An unexpected one. We bought a new water heater a little less than two years ago – we thought that would last until long after we were out of here. Unfortunately it was not to be. A few days ago, our hot water started getting really hot. So hot that it was creating steam and air in the lines – when we turned our hot water on, it would be spitting out of the faucet. Then it started tripping the breaker and making popping noises, and yesterday, it tripped the breaker again, leaving a burn mark on the plastic cover over the electrical connections. So last night Harry took a look at new water heaters. Yes, our current one is under warranty. But since whatever problem it’s having is not a straightforward one – what is its problem…we don’t know – the thermostat (and which one)??, the heating element (and again, which one)??, we would have to have a plumber come in and figure it out. Of course the warranty only covers the part itself, not the person needed to diagnose it. And once we compared the cost of a new water heater to the cost of a plumber….yes it was off to Albany last night after work to pick up a new water heater. This one has a six year warranty, so we should be good for a year and a half – you think?
Now, back to the list I was going over yesterday. The stuff that was on there is hopefully going to be done by the end of this year.
These are the things that we have left to do next year.
- clean out basement
- wash basement floor and walls
- replace downstairs bathroom floor
- replace downstairs bathroom faucets and shower head
- replace kitchen light
- paint stairs into kitchen from garage
- dismantle backyard shed
- rent dumpster and FILL
Other than the shed and dumpster part, there’s not too much on that list that has to be done during the warm weather. So we’re hoping to get as much done early in the year as possible, so we have more time to play next year during the summer season.
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel – it’s getting a little brighter all the time!
Yikes on the water heater! Good thing it didn't happen while you weren't around. List is getting shorter..yay!
ReplyDeleteToo bad about the water heater!!..we envy your short list!!
ReplyDeleteYou sound just like us! We spent a solid two years updating and improving our home before we put it on the market. We replaced the carpet upstairs and down, replaced the kitchen and bathroom floors (two bathrooms) and painted and stained everything it seemed like. We put our house on the market on Valentine's Day 2007 and it sold within four days for more than the asking price. We've been on the road ever since and have never looked back! So it definitely was worth the time and effort we spent sprucing up our house! Good luck with your list(s). They WILL get done and you WILL sell your house!
ReplyDeleteLucky you! Keep your eye on that light and you will be on the road in no time.
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