RESIDENTIAL GAS AND ELECTRIC WATER HEATER
SERVICE HANDBOOK
WHY WATER HEATER TANKS LEAK -Continued
WATER CONDITIONS
WHAT | WHY | PREVENTION |
“Hard” Water | “Hard” water contains minerals. | “Flush” the sand from the tank every 6 |
(Gas Water | As water is heated the minerals | months. |
Heaters) | separate from the water and | Delime the tank interior yearly. |
| attach to hot surfaces within the | Install a water softener in hard water |
| tank. In gas water heaters, these | areas. These should be adjusted |
| minerals “insulate” the heat | according to manufacturer’s |
| transfer surfaces conducting heat | recommendations, typically for 5 grains |
| from the burner through to the | hardness. |
| water. These surfaces become |
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| hotter than if they were clean. |
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| Hotter surfaces mean more |
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| expansion and contraction of the |
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| metal as the burner cycles on and |
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| off. The metal or weld joints |
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| crack. |
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“Hard” Water | See above explanation. | Inspect and clean elements as |
(Electric Water | Lime (calcium) forms on the | necessary. |
Heaters) | electric elements. | Add a water softener. |
| Elements become excessively hot | Install elements resistant to failure due to |
| and may split. | Lime (mineral) build up. |
| Split elements often leak to the |
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| outside of the heater. |
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Water | Water stored at 160°F (72 °C) | Begin with a water heater setting of |
Temperature | may be twice as corrosive as | 120°F (49°C) and increase only as |
| water stored at 140°F (60°C) | necessary. |
Usage | Each time the burner or elements | Purchasing a proper sized tank will |
| cycle on and off, a small amount | minimize burner or element operation |
| of metal expansion and | when only small quantities of hot water |
| contraction take place. As | are used. |
| bending a piece of wire back and |
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| forth will break the wire, this |
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| expansion and contraction will |
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| eventually crack tank joints or |
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| welds. |
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For more detailed explanation on this information as well as additional service information, see the A.O. Smith Web site www.hotwater.com under “Technical Information”.
0801 form
A.O. Smith Water Products Company | 48 | Training Department | |
©2002 | Ashland City, Tennessee | ||
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