The Conservative Cave
Interests => Around the House & In the Garage => Topic started by: BEG on May 21, 2010, 02:49:18 PM
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We have a vintage, original to the house, Thermador bathroom wall heater. It works but needs a little spiffing up and probably rewiring because it had the original cloth covered wires leading into it. The chrome looks ok but if we keep it I want it re-chromed. The few times I turned it on it was glorious, the heat felt just like a human toaster. I'm sure they are dangerous, a kid can stick their finger through the grates or bump up next to the extremely hot face plate BUT it would look so cool if it was re-chromed and put back where it belongs.
Here is one I found online that looks similar.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/Foam_Kitty/thermador.jpg)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/Foam_Kitty/IMG_4915.jpg)
It goes in the black hole right next to the bathtub. LOL Obviously they didn't think about water, electricity and shock back "in the day". SO.....what would you do? Fill the hole and tile over it or make the heater look and perform like new and put it back?
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I'd keep it, but I would put a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) on it. Those are the test/reset outlets you see on newer houses and are there to prevent electrical shock.
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Radiant stack heaters are very dangerous, and likely don't meet code any longer in your state. I'd toss it, and patch the hole.
If you like radiant heat in your bathroom, install a ceiling infrared unit that will work better, and not be a hazard.
doc
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Awww, spoilsport :(
It's probably safer to disconnect it. Unplug it and keep it as decoration. :-)
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Awww, spoilsport :(
It's probably safer to disconnect it. Unplug it and keep it as decoration. :-)
Actually the electrical hazard is only part of the problem with these......when in operation, that pretty chrome grille can rise to over 600 degrees F, how'd you like to slip getting out of the bathtub, and end up with your hand or other body part in contact with the grille......
doc
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Damn you all to hell. I wanted to keep it! You have to go rain on my parade.....bastards.
On a good note, I ordered the sconces today and found them $150 (total) cheaper than all the other places that had them. They are schoolhouse style.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/Foam_Kitty/Norwell-Bradford.jpg)
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I say damn the torpedoes and use it. Just put a GFCI and call it good. Think about, it's been there how long?
I think it looks cool. Knowing my wife, the Heat Miser, she would love me forever with one of those in the bathroom. :naughty:
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I think it looks cool. Knowing my wife, the Heat Miser, she would love me forever with one of those in the bathroom. :naughty:
:rotf:
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I'm with Doc....get rid of it, and put a heat lamp in the ceiling if you think you really need it.
Most buyers today, will not be impressed with wall heat....under any circumstances...especially in your price bracket.
Also....those heaters are incredibly expensive heat sources.
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I'm with Doc....get rid of it, and put a heat lamp in the ceiling if you think you really need it.
Most buyers today, will not be impressed with wall heat....under any circumstances...especially in your price bracket.
Also....those heaters are incredibly expensive heat sources.
There is already a fan/light/heater combo in the ceiling (there is no vent for a/c or heat in that bathroom). I just thought it would go with the retro style of the new bathroom remodel. I was actually afraid to turn it on the few times I did, it is probably smart to get rid of it.
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I say damn the torpedoes and use it. Just put a GFCI and call it good. Think about, it's been there how long?
I think it looks cool. Knowing my wife, the Heat Miser, she would love me forever with one of those in the bathroom. :naughty:
A GFCI ain't gonna stop someone, especially a child, from 3rd degree burns if they accidently come in contact with it while it is on.
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Live dangerously. Keep it and store oily rags nearby.
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The heater is older than I am and hasn't claimed any victims yet. Just sayin....
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The heater is older than I am and hasn't claimed any victims yet. Just sayin....
.....that we know of. :p
We are going to take it out. There is another heater in the light/vent thingy in the ceiling and it works pretty well. Sigh, I just really like the retro look of the other Thermador. If we weren't going to tile up the wall (a little more than 1/2 way) and all we would have to do was a sheetrock patch if we were to take it out later I would leave it.
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:rotf:
Heh, I tried to, ummm, break-in the shower. She had the water soo hot I just coulden't stay in the shower. It was HOLY SHIT hot. :bolt:
How that woman can stand water that peels skin is beyond me.
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Heh, I tried to, ummm, break-in the shower. She had the water soo hot I just coulden't stay in the shower. It was HOLY SHIT hot. :bolt:
How that woman can stand water that peels skin is beyond me.
I take such hot showers that I have to get a little of my body wet at a time to acclimate to the near boiling water. I'll probably be a shriveled prune in the near future from all the moisture that has been sucked out of my body for years.
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I take such hot showers that I have to get a little of my body wet at a time to acclimate to the near boiling water. I'll probably be a shriveled prune in the near future from all the moisture that has been sucked out of my body for years.
BEG, stop giving the men in here visuals... :evillaugh:
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BEG, stop giving the men in here visuals... :evillaugh:
Visuals will do until there are pics. :evillaugh:
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BEG, stop giving the men in here visuals... :evillaugh:
uhhh....ya.........
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Heh, I tried to, ummm, break-in the shower. She had the water soo hot I just coulden't stay in the shower. It was HOLY SHIT hot. :bolt:
How that woman can stand water that peels skin is beyond me.
I hope you understand that skin peeling is a VERY close cousin to castration.
Jest Sayin'...
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Visuals will do until there are pics. :evillaugh:
That should be mandated S.O.P. for every forum at CC.
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We have a vintage, original to the house, Thermador bathroom wall heater...I'm sure they are dangerous, a kid can stick their finger through the grates or bump up next to the extremely hot face plate...
True BUTT only once!
If it takes more than once then maybe we are hoping that Darwin rears his ugly head and pushes the Natural Selection button to rectify the situation.
Seriously, keep the heater if you want but the GFCI is a MUST! Regardless of electrical code mandates, it is your families personal safety that mandates installing the GFCI.
What *I* would do is use ceiling mounted quartz infra-red heat. Then remove the wall heater, install a wall mounted towel heater above the hole using existing wiring as needed, install the GFCI, repair the wall hole as needed.
Believe it or not, towel heaters are VERY nice!
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I'd keep it. I'd also recommend bringing it up to code. Of course, most remodels require a permit and it may or may not pass inspection. You didn't get a permit?? Shame on you!! :evillaugh:
On the serious side, I'd probably keep it and relocate it to a safer place. After all, it is iconic. Around here, there are many like this in the houses. A LOT of houses in my town were built between 1900-1955, with most being in the mid 40s due to the old Air Force base that was here. Many bathrooms around here have a heater that is similar, but is gas.
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I'd keep it. I'd also recommend bringing it up to code. Of course, most remodels require a permit and it may or may not pass inspection. You didn't get a permit?? Shame on you!! :evillaugh:
On the serious side, I'd probably keep it and relocate it to a safer place. After all, it is iconic. Around here, there are many like this in the houses. A LOT of houses in my town were built between 1900-1955, with most being in the mid 40s due to the old Air Force base that was here. Many bathrooms around here have a heater that is similar, but is gas.
My boyfriend's house was born in 1942. It has one of the gas ones. He kept it, but doesn't use it. He also has original clam shell awnings. Made of STEEL. Can't find any more of those. He has washed them, and refurbished them, and it looks really cool.
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I backed into one of those when I was a toddler, I had a waffle print burn on my ass!
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Radiant stack heaters are very dangerous, and likely don't meet code any longer in your state. I'd toss it, and patch the hole.
If you like radiant heat in your bathroom, install a ceiling infrared unit that will work better, and not be a hazard.
doc
True, it look dangerous. I would check with my local building code inspector when he is there following up on the building permit.