>
> It turns out, in small print, they mention "condensation". My heart both leapt and sank--leapt because what this was saying was that it was *normal* for a new water heater to drip a little around the bottom when first turned on, so I was going to have hot water after all--but simultaneously sank because that meant that the *other* water heater *wasn't* broken! I could have had hot water a day sooner!!!
>
> But, in the end, I got my hot baths back. And I guess that's all that matters.
>
> -- Dave

Look at it this way, Dave. At least you had a landlord to call. He came and did the work and paid the bill. My hot water heater is electric and about every three years the bottom element goes out. I'm the one who fixes it. You see, I own this dump. The house was built in 1965 and things keep breaking. What ever goes kaflooy is my problem and my expense. But if I forget the hose, I don't have to go very far to get it. Well, so long. I have to go fix the washer. I cleaned the rain gutters this afternoon.
Howard