Sounds like you need a better plumber!
This really isn't rocket science...
Or, is it!
Do test the T&P valve before power is applied again.
How did you like the video clip?
The clip was cool! Years ago, my parents' water heater overheated, but it just flooded the basement with scalding water that came out of that tube leading from the check valve (which I suppose is fortunate, after viewing that clip!)
Perhaps I need a better plumber, but I always seem to need better contractors in general. The amount of things I've paid to have done, only to demand they be done over is close to 100%. My only reliable contractor is my floor tile guy.
Unfortunately, I live in a small rural town, and there's one plumber (he's the guy who wanted $325 to replace one thermostat) and he seems to have "captive audience" syndrome. Our bathroom contractor has his own plumber, and he's the one who's done the plumbing for both of out bathroom remodels as well as replace the water heater thermostat. After the job on the water heater... well, let's just say I hope he's better at sweating pipes!
Go Back To What I Said About Your Elements ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Yes! Somehow I totally missed that post. Funny how my "$325 for a thermostat" local plumber is convinced that elements never go bad!
I bet you're right, and in fact, I bet the element got damaged while the water was shut off (for 3-4 days) while the bathroom remodel contractors were working on the bathroom plumbing. I bet the water level went down in the water heater and exposed the element to air and that damaged it.
I don't know if it's possible, so that's just a guess, but I do know they had the water off for a few days, and I also know that we have a timer on our back yard yard hose (which is lower than the water heater) that was set to water some new sod out back. I think when the timer opened the valve, the water in the pipes ran out and maybe siphoned some water out of the heater from the supply side or something.
Ahhh, I'm probably sounding like an idiot now. In any case, I bet you're right about the element. How do I check the elements, or do I just replace them both to be safe?