plumbing emergency/flood

I've watched and participated in the cycle of plumber threads on MOL but the hot water heater went last night and flooded the basement.  Can't remember if any plumber was recommended particularly for that or just for quick response in an emergency.  Please give names if you have.

bub said:

I've watched and participated in the cycle of plumber threads on MOL but the hot water heater went last night and flooded the basement.  Can't remember if any plumber was recommended particularly for that or just for quick response in an emergency.  Please give names if you have.

Is there a valve on the pipe going into the water heater? You can shut it off to stop the water from getting into the heater. If you have a sump pump connect a garden hose to the drain at the bottom and run it into the sump. 

If it's really bad, public works may pump the basement Millburn P.W. does.

You probably figured this out yourself, but after pump out, borrow or buy a couple of dehumidifiers for the basement.

I turned off water and gas flow to it.  Toro got back to me and I also left a message for Phil Masucci, who we've used before and liked based on MOL recommendations.  It's 11 years old.  Internet says they last for 8 to 10 years.  Not the first time a water heater died on us and flooded basement (wife was wondering if the earthquake pushed it over the top!) .  Wondering if it makes sense to replace them on a schedule and not wait til they go on the fritz.

Toro:  $1875 for the heater and installation of same.  That's for a 40 gallon.  If I wanted to go up to a 50 gallon, another 100 or so.   Thoughts welcome.

bub said:

Toro:  $1875 for the heater and installation of same.  That's for a 40 gallon.  If I wanted to go up to a 50 gallon, another 100 or so.   Thoughts welcome.

40 gallon is enough. And don’t set the temperature too high on the new one. I keep mine at set at A. Keeping the temperature too high will shorten the lifespan of the heater.

bub said:

I've watched and participated in the cycle of plumber threads on MOL but the hot water heater went last night and flooded the basement.  Can't remember if any plumber was recommended particularly for that or just for quick response in an emergency.  Please give names if you have.

Need any help cleaning up? I have a big wet vac you can add to the effort

Thank you Peter, we have a wet vac.  Going with Toro.  Second quote I got was 2400 to 2800.  Toro will do it this afternoon.  Sticking with 40 gallon.  

I have a pump if needed.

Thanks, we're OK.  The Toro guy showed up hours early.