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| RESIDENTIAL GAS AND ELECTRIC WATER HEATER | |
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| SERVICE HANDBOOK | |
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| TECHNICAL BULLETIN | |
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| BULLETIN 23 | |
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| CHLORINATION PROCEDURE |
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| CAUSE | The chlorination procedure is used to eliminate various bacteria that |
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| accumulate and grow in water heaters. These bacteria often cause odorous |
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| or discolored water conditions. |
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| PROCEDURE | Please read the steps of the chlorination procedure prior to beginning. If you |
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| feel uncomfortable performing any of these steps, contact a service person to |
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| perform this procedure for you. |
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| STEP 1 | Turn off the gas or electric supply to the tank. |
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| STEP 2 | Turn off the cold water supply valve to the tank. |
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| STEP 3 | Open a nearby hot water faucet to relieve the vacuum. |
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| STEP 4 | Drain all the water from the tank (a |
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| STEP 5 | Remove the anode rod(s), and close the drain valve. |
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| STEP 6 | Using a funnel in the anode opening add one gallon of household chlorine |
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| bleach (e.g. Clorox or Purex) for every 25 gallons of tank capacity. |
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| STEP 7 | Reinstall anode rod(s) after inspecting and replacing as needed. |
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| STEP 8 | Open cold water supply valve and refill the system. Then draw the water to |
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| every hot water fixture, until the smell of chlorine is detected. Operate dish |
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| and clothes washers until a noticeable amount of the chlorine is detected as |
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| well. All hot water lines must receive treatment. |
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| STEP 9 | Leave the chlorine solution undisturbed for one hour or more. |
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| STEP 10 | After the contact time has elapsed, drain the tank according to steps #2, #3, & |
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| #4. |
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| STEP 11 | Close the drain valve and refill the tank. Allow the tank to sit for 15 minutes. |
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| Repeat steps #2, #3, and #4. Continue to flush the tank if the water is |
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| discolored or contains a chlorine odor. |
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| STEP 12 | Close the drain valve and refill the tank. Flush all chlorine from the piping by |
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| opening every hot water outlet/ appliance. |
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| STEP 13 | Return hot water heating system to service by following the recommended |
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A.O. Smith Water Products Company | 54 | Training Department | |
©2002 | Ashland City, Tennessee | ||
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