Saw your post on my thread and jumped over to offer a quick encouragement and then saw you sinking in plumbing woes. (Disclaimer, I am NOT a handyman, just learned a few things along the way)
First things first, quick thoughts on the hot water. If your stove works, your gas is still on (stating the obvious but in trouble shooting you take it step by step). If you have hot water anywhere in the house, your water heater is working and there is a problem between the water heater and the shower. Can't help you with that. However, if there is no hot water at all then your pilot light may simply be out.
PILOT LIGHT - caution If there is no hot water at all, MAYBE your pilot light went out. You can follow the instructions on the water heater to relight it. In many areas, the gas company will relight the pilot for you for FREE (This is the safest option if the EXACT instructions on how to relight it are not EXACTLY CLEAR to you).
THERMOCOUPLER Think of this as the lighter for your pilot light. This is the most frequent reason a pilot will not light and can be replaced by a professional OR someone who is somewhat handy. I have replaced mine but because you are dealing with gas and a flame, You REALLY, REALLY want to be sure and safe.
IF your thermocoupler will not light the pilot light but the gas is flowing (again, is your stove working?) you can light the pilot manually as you would a stove that will not ignite itself once the gas is flowing. BUT YOU MUST MAKE SURE THE GAS SETTING ON THE WATER HEATER IS TURNED TO THE "PILOT" SETTING!!!!!! If not, imagine starting a BBQ with old fashioned brickettes doused with lighter fluid. Once you light the match the flame just jumps out at you.
My thermocoupler once went out after I replaced it and I did not have time nor did I want to spend a couple hours messing with it so I opened the area, turned the setting to "PILOT", took a flashlight to see where the pilot was, straightened out a wire hanger, attached two matches to the end, pressed the button that let the gas flow to the pilot, lit the matches, extended it to the pilot and the pilot lit it's tiny little flame. Then I closed the hatch and turned the setting to it's normal position and... hot water
I also agree that a good basic "Do It Yourself Repairs" book will save you tons of money in the long run (you can find a book at Home Depot or Lowes or some other local do it yourself mega store). If you have such a book and you need to hire someone to do some work, you will be informed and you could offer comments like, "oh, you think I need to replace the water heater? Did you trouble shoot my thermocoupler?"
Many, many good general handymen are honest just like there are many honest mechanics but it helps to do what homework you can. Like anything else, word of mouth reputations are the best.
Below is the link to the HOME DEPOT "DIY" (Do It Yourself) site. A quick view of the site revealed it has video on some projects, DIY guides with pictures AND message boards. If you take a look up at a problem you may have, do some quick trouble shooting AND THEN go to the Home Depot (or store of your choice), you will be better equipped to talk to one of the store associates who work in those specific departments. Guys love to be extra helpful to ladies, especially if they have shown they done a little homework.
TIP: Do you have a video camera? I once shot some video of a problem I was trying to fix and showed it to the person at the Home Depot. He was able to see what I had and was able to make some recommendations. This USUALLY isn't needed but it helped in this case. ALSO, when dealing with replacing parts, if you can, take the old part into the store, this has saved me dozens of return trips over the years.
As you do some of these things, involve s9 so he can learn. It can be an adventure and a bonding experience and he will start to feel like he is the little man of the house.
wow, got off on a tangent there, orginally just came over to say "good luck"
Committed2Him- "C2H" All Things (Back from Spain!)...18
However, if there is no hot water at all then your pilot light may simply be out.
