Routine Preventative Maintenance, VI Maintenance

complaint associated with the anode rod is a “rotten egg

Routine Preventative Maintenance

smell” produced from the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas

Important: If you lack the necessary skills required to prop-

dissolved in the water. Do not remove this rod perma-

erly perform this visual inspection, you should not proceed,

nently as it will void any warranties, stated or implied. A

but get help from a qualified service technician.

special anode can be ordered if water odour or discoloura-

At least annually, a visual inspection should be made of the

tion occurs. This rod may reduce, if not eliminate, water

venting and air supply system, piping systems and main

odour problems. The water supply system may require

burner. Check the water heater for the following:

special filtration equipment from water conditioning compa-

• Build up of soot and carbon on the main burner. Check

ny to successfully eliminate all water odour problems.

for a soft blue flame.

Artificially softened water is exceedingly corrosive because

• Leaking or damaged water and gas piping.

the process substitutes sodium ions for magnesium and cal-

• Presence of flammable or corrosive materials in the

cium ions. The use of a water softener may decrease the life

installation area.

of the water heater tank. The anode rod should be inspect-

• Presence of combustible materials near the water

ed every year. If the rod is more than 50% depleted, the

heater.

anode rod should be replaced.

• Verify proper operation after servicing this water heater.

To replace the anode:

1. Turn off gas supply to the water heater.

Venting System and Blower

2. Shut off the water supply and open a nearby hot water

Inspect the venting system periodically (minimum twice

faucet to depressurize the water tank.

annually) to make certain that the vent passageways, vent

3. Drain approximately 20 litres (5 US gallons) of water

terminal and blower assembly are free and unobstructed.

from tank (Refer to “Draining and Flushing” for proper

Ensure that any condensate is draining freely. Clean as nec-

procedures.) Close drain valve.

essary.

4. Remove old anode rod.

• Inspect the vent piping, elbows and connections for

5. Use Teflon® tape or approved pipe sealant on threads

signs of stress cracking or deterioration. Make certain

and install new anode rod.

the venting is free to move and that all pipe hangers and

6. Turn on water supply and open nearby hot water faucet

isolation supports are properly positioned and securely

to purge air from water system.

attached. Replace any broken components and rectify

7. Restart the water heater as directed under “Operating

any installation problems.

Your Water Heater.” See the “Repair Parts Illustration”

• Particles, especially lint, can clog the vent blower

for anode rod location.

wheel. This can be problematic, especially where con-

VI) MAINTENANCE

densation is present, as particles may adhere to the

venting surfaces. These conditions can result in nui-

Draining and Flushing

sance failures. In areas that have a high level of air-

It is recommended that the tank be drained and flushed

borne particulate (e.g. lint, sawdust,

process smoke,

laundry areas, etc.) inspection and cleaning may need

every 6 months to remove sediment that may build up dur-

to be done more frequently. Clean the blower wheel and

ing operation. The water heater should be drained if being

venting as required to ensure proper performance.

shut down during freezing temperatures. To drain the tank,

• Inspect the flue collector area for signs of corrosion.

perform the following steps:

This can be an indication of contaminated air, a wet

1. Turn off the gas to the water heater at the manual gas

environment, poor burner set up, or high levels of con-

shut-off valve.

densation occurring at the flue collector. Determine and

2. Turn off the electrical supply to the water heater.

correct any poor operating conditions.

3. Close the cold water inlet valve.

Open a nearby hot water faucet.

DRAFT

AIR PRESSURE

Connect a hose to the drain valve and terminate it to an

DIVERTER

TUBING

AIR INTAKE

adequate drain.

MOTOR

OPENING FOR

Note: The drain hose should be rated for at least 93°C

VENTILATION

DRAFT DIVERTER

OPENINGS

(200°F). If the drain hose does not have this rating, open the

cold water inlet valve and a nearby hot faucet until the water

is no longer hot.

6. Open the water heater drain valve and allow all the

water to drain from the tank. Flush the tank with water

BLOWER

as needed to remove sediment.

MOTOR

Close the drain valve, refill the tank, and restart the

LIMIT

heater as directed under “Water Heater Operation”.

SWITCH

LIMIT

SWITCH

If the water heater is going to be shut down for an extended

WIRES

period, the drain valve should be left open.

Important: Condensation may occur when refilling the tank

and should not be confused with a tank leak.

Figure 26 Blower Maintenance

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