The2Hubz

It's not integral after all. It's external and wraps around the tank. Sounds like you had a defective thermostat. Testing after the fact proves you correct. Trying to find parts on New Year's Eve ended up being our downfall. Like the new one and looking forward to either an air compressor or an additional smoker from the ruins. You guys know a LOT!

Kurt, I'm pretty sure that's what I meant. I just need a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen. But we *really* need a place for the tools, the pottery wheel, etc etc. Here's a couple of more shots of the water heater, just in case anyone was interested. https://goo.gl/photos/DTPUEs43BKcq2xdd6

Marc, yes that's the way we're reading it. Each "strap" seems to be the heating element for that section. Which explains why 50+ years and we weren't having a problem with the tank "eating itself" from the inside. I think. Jim, I've already given up some of the basement to what we call "garage overflow", but I'm angling for a home with a shop. We need more room for toys!

Interesting. It doesn't appear to have any interior heating elements. https://goo.gl/photos/kbVYfYYVujLskqsC8 And we don't actually have room for oxy/acetylene tools. Because a)welder, b)forge, c)metal cutting bandsaw... sigh. #NeedAbiggerHouse

It actually just kept on heating and heating and heating. With it being a holiday and nothing really open until Monday, we've opted to retire the dear thing and just bought a new Bradford White one. Trying to convince the husband to buy me a plasma cutter so we can do something amazing with the old one. Great stuff around here, btw. Lots of knowledge! Happy New Year.

Digging into the guts of ours as we speak. She's been a reliable old gal. Came with the 1959 house and has worked like a champ since we got her 15 years ago. She started overheating the water this am and the overflow valve did just as intended. One element tests around 85 the other at the expected 230. Hoping we can find parts.