Thursday, May 7, 2009

Funky Smells and Close Calls

For once, the strange smell in my home has nothing to do with my children…

Last night, about dinner time, we noticed a melting plastic smell filtering through our home. I just assumed something had gotten onto the burner of the stove without me noticing. It was a busy night with concerts, scouts, church activities and other appointments. So about the time, we all settled down at 10:30, we noticed the smell wasn’t just lingering but was active.

Nothing was on. Dishwasher, stove, washing machine, dryer… all off. We couldn’t locate the source of the smell. It smelled strongest in our garage-turned-family-room and in the laundry room, but we couldn’t locate the source of the smell.

Getting into bed, we figured it must have been an element or something that melted in the stove when I went to use it. Lights out and we tried to go to sleep. B had wandered up to our bed (again) and usually, we just roll over and let her snuggle. Instead, I got a distinct feeling to take her downstairs and look again for the smell.

After laying B in her bed, I went back into our garage and, while walking around, noticed puddles of water on the carpet and tile. I followed the trail which led me to the cause of the smell.

Our 23 year old water heater.

This thing was in bad shape. We had been told by our plumber it needed to be replaced, but had set it on the back burner of our mind while life happened.

Now, I was looking at our water heater, sweating water from the seams, into the electrical fixtures on the water heater. Not only that, but we had a TV, A/C unit and a couple other items plugged into a power strip that had somehow slipped into the oncoming trickle of water. The wires were short circuiting and causing the burning smell. I called Hubby in, and we were investigating further when he saw the sparks.

Quickly, with the help of our Next Door Angel (who just happens to be an electrician) we got all the appropriate circuits shut down and stabilized the situation until morning.

Our super cool plumber showed up within a couple hours of calling him and was able to replace our ancient water heater safely. He told me that he was surprised it didn’t start a fire the way it had been going. He also pointed out that even though we had a pressure release valve, it wasn’t hooked up all this time (we have been here 8 years). Without that in place, we basically had a rocket waiting to happen in our home.

I am grateful and humbled for the direction the Lord gave me. I am grateful that He watched over us. And SO grateful for a new water heater.

I took a look online and found a couple things of interest. The first is a photo of what happened when a water heater DID explode in someone’s house (actually here in AZ)



The video is of the Myth Busters seeing if a water heater really will explode. (should have just asked the guy from AZ.)



Anyway, listen to your plumber when he tells you to switch out the water heater. More importantly, listen to those feelings you get.

11 comments:

Emmy said...

Wow! So glad things didn't get worse. You truly were blessed! That is one of my favorite Myth Busters.

Michelle said...

That gave me goose bumps! I'm glad you listened too.

Enjoy your safe new water heater :)

Beth at Aunties said...

Whew! So glad for all those promptings, and angels who live next door. We had to replace ours recently and it ins't eve 10 years old. You got some real mileage out of yours.

pan x 8 said...

So glad things are better now. Don't you love it when you feel the prompting and then do what it tells you?? The reward is so unmeasurable.

Diane said...

OH My! I am so thankful he Lord was watching out for you and that you were sensitive to his promptings! God bless B and her need to sleep with Mommy and Daddy! So thankful you all are okay and all is well.

Many hugs..........

Diane

That Girl said...

Hmmm ... I'm gonna have to check our water heater when we move in.

(And say a prayer in gratitude for you!)

Just SO said...

I seem to recall that our next door neighbor had hers explode on a smaller scale a few years back. Scary stuff. I'm glad you were listening to the spirit and that everything is okay.

Connie said...

Way to follow the spirit, isn't personal revelation a wonderful thing? So thankful... :)

Fiauna said...

I never knew that could happen. I'm amazed!

I'm so glad you recognized and heeded the promptings of the Spirit.

Anonymous said...

He cares for every single aspect of our lives, isn't it amazing!

Laurie said...

Oh my gosh Kathy! Thank goodness you followed that prompting. Thank goodness thank goodness.