[A/S] In Hot Water Again, Water Heater- Il Finis!

[<cacijohnson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

   Yes, gang- our original 29 yr old Bowen water heater had to be 
replaced. Bought an Atwood gas(Atwood bought out Bowen) - for best 
sizing in the compartmewnt and for lining up the exhaust grill area on 
the door. We may add for around $55 an after-market electronic ignition 
kit.  
   All wet signs first pointed to the Thetford toilet(only 3 yrs old).  
We  had found water soaking up thru the carpet around the toilet.  Did 
all the detective work on where it might be leaking from, had tips from 
local RV person on easiest way to find the leak and remove the toilet if 
necessary).  Didn't feel any leaks on inlet hoses, etc. behind the 
toilet.  So using a fan  we got the floor dried out around the toilet 
and then-n could see the leak was really from the water heater, which is 
next to the toilet.
   We pulled the heater and guess what - it must have had a slow leak 
for a long, long time.  That 3/4" plywood floor was totally rotted thru 
on the roadside edge of the heater - cut away the entire bad section of 
the floor and installed new plywood with new support system underneath 
its edges. 
   While we had the heater out Carl also replaced the bathroom 
ventilation hose that sits next to the heater.
   So we're back in hot water again.  Actually it had been so warm here 
in AZ that we hadn't had the heater lit for some time - water coming in 
thru fresh water hose was already hot and still is!

Cindy & Carl