A.O. Smith Residential Power Vent Gas Water Heaters with Hot Surface Ignition Leakage Checkpoints

* The drain valve may be leaking at the tank fitting.

Leakage Checkpoints

Use this guide to check a “Leaking” water heater. Many sus- pected “Leakers” are not leaking tanks. Often the source of the water can be found and corrected.

If you are not thoroughly familiar with gas codes your water heater, and safety practices, contact the gas utility to check the water heater.

CAUTION

Read this manual first. Then before checking the water heater make sure the gas supply has been turned “OFF”, and never turn the gas “ON” before the tank is com- pletely full of water.

				CAUTION
			Never use this water heater unless it is completely filled
			with water. To prevent damage to the tank, the tank must
			be filled with water. Water must flow from the hot water
			faucet before turning “ON” gas to the water heater.
A
			A	Water at the vent pipe is water vapor which has con-
	C			densed out of the combustion products. This is
				caused by a problem in the vent. Contact the gas
	B			utility.
B			B	* Condensation may be seen on pipes in humid
				weather or pipe connections may be leaking.
	E		C * The primary anode rod fitting may be leaking.
		D
				Small amounts of water from temperature-pressure
			D
				relief valve may be due to thermal expansion or high
				water pressure in your area.
			E	* The temperature-pressure relief valve may be leak-
				ing at the tank fitting.
			F	Water from a drain valve may be due to the valve
				opened slightly.

G

H Combustion products contain water vapor which can condense on the cooler surfaces of the tank. Droplets form and drip into the fire or run on the floor. This is common at the time of startup after installation and when incoming water is cold.

	I	Water in the water heater bottom or on the floor may
		be from condensation, loose connections, or the
H	G	relief valve. DO NOT replace the water heater until
		a full inspection of all possible water sources is made
		and necessary corrective steps taken.
	F	Leakage from other appliances, water lines, or
I		ground seepage should also be checked.

*To check where threaded portion enters tank, insert cotton swab between jacket opening and fitting. If cotton is wet, follow “Draining” instructions in the “Periodic Maintenance” section and then remove fitting. Put pipe dope or teflon tape on the threads and replace. Then follow “Filling the Water Heater” instructions in the “Installing the New Water Heater” section.

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