I'm pretty sure my hot water heater just quit. Replacement suggestions?

[rgG]

Black wrote:
[quote=davester]
[quote=Black]I don't get the "just get a plumber out" thing-- not that easy for working people to schedule visits like this, and what is that-- $100 for a visit just for someone to tell you it's not worth replacing?

I'd tell the plumber to be prepared to replace the water heater if things were bad. The schedule problem is going to be there no matter what you do. That way you wouldn't be wasting a visit. If you're going to spend $400+ on a new water heater and probably $200+ on installation then it makes a lot more sense to start the plumber in by seeing if a replacement is necessary or not. If the tank isn't bad why on earth would you want to spend all of that money on a new water heater when an anode and drain valve is all you need?
The plumber would just have an appropriate water heater sitting in their vehicle?
Actually, when I called my plumber out last week to see if he could repair my water, he did have a couple of water heaters on his truck. I was surprised, but he did. I went out to the truck to look at a shower repair kit, and they were there in the back of the van. This is a big plumbing company, so they probably carry more stuff around than just the average guy.