Troubleshooting Guide (cont'd)
Start Up Conditions (cont'd)
CONDENSATION
Whenever the water heater is filled with cold water, a certain
amount of condensation will form while the burner is on. A
water heater may appear to be leakingwhen in fact the water is
condensation. This usually happens when:
•When a new water heater is filled with cold water for the first time.
•When gas burns and water vapor is produced in water heaters, particularly high efficiency models where flue tem- peratures are lower,
•When you use large amounts of hot water in a short time and the refill water is very cold.
Moisture from the products of combustion condense o1/ the cooler tank surfaces and form drops of water which may fall onto the burner or other hot surfaces to produce a "sizzling" or "frying" noise.
Excessive condensation can cause pilot outage due to water run- ning down the flue tube on_ the main burner and putting out the pilot.
Because of the suddenness and amount of water, condensation
water may be diagnosed as a "tank leak". After the water in the tank warms up (about
Do not assume the water heater is leaking until there has been enough time for the water in the tank to warm up.
An undersized water heater will cause more condensation. The
water heater must be sizedproperly to meet the family's demands
for hot water including dishwashers, washing machines and shower heads.
Excessive condensation may be noticed during the winter and
early spring months when incoming water temperatures are at their lowest.
Good venting is essential for a gas fired water heater to operate
properly as well as to carry away products of combustion and water vapor.
AWARNING
HOTTER WATER CAN SCALD: Water heaters are intended to
produce hot water. Water heated to a temperature which will satisfy clothes washing,dish washing,and other sanitizing needs can scald and permanently injure you upon contact. Some pen- pie are more likely to be permanently injured by hot water than others. These include the elderly, children,the infirm, or physical- ly/mentany handicapped. If anyone usinghot water in your home fits into one of these groups or if there isa local code or state law requiring a certain temperature water at the hot water tap, then you must take special precautions. In addition to usingthe lowest possibletemperature setting that satisfies your hot water needs, a means suchas a mixing valve,should be used at the hot water taps used by these people or at the water heater. Mixing valves
are availableat plumbing supply or hardware stores. Follow man- ufacturers instructions for installation of the valves. Before
changing the factory setting on the thermostat, read the 'q'emperatureRegulation" section in this manual.
SMOKE/ODOR
It is not uncommon to experience a small amount of smoke and odor during the initial
Operational Conditions
SMELLY WATER
In each glasslined water heater there is installed at least one anode rod (see parts section) for corrosion protection of the tank. Certain water conditions will cause a reaction between this
rod and the water. The most common complaint associated with the anode rod is one of a "rotten egg smell". This odor is derived from hydrogen sulfide gas dissolved in the water. The smell is the result of four factors which must all be present for the odor to develop:
a.a concentration of sulfate in the supply water.
b.little or no dissolved oxygen in the water.
c.a sulfate reducing bacteria within the water heater. (This harmless bacteria is
d.an excess of active hydrogen in the tank. This is caused by the corrosion protective action of the anode.
Smelly water may be eliminated or reduced in some water heater models by replacing the anode(s) with one of less active material, and then chlorinating the water heater tank and all hot water lines. Contact Sears Service for further information concerning an Anode Replacement Kit #9001453 and this Chlorination Treatment.
If the smelly water persists after the anode replacement and chlo- rination treatment, we can only suggest that continuous chlori- nation and filtering conditioning equipment be considered to eliminate the water problem.
Do not remove the anode leaving the tank unprotected. By doing so, all warranty on the water heater tank is voided.
"AIR" IN HOT WATER FAUCETS
AWARNING
HYDROGEN GAS: Hydrogen gas can be produced in a hot water system that has not been used for a long poriod of time (generally two weeks or more). Hydrogen gas is extremely flammable and explosive. To prevent the possibility of injury under these conditions, we recommend the hot water faucet
be opened for several minutes at the kitchen sink before any electrical appliances which are connected to the hot water sys- tem are used (such as a dishwasher or washing machine). If hydrogen gas is present, there will probably be an unusual sound similar to air escapingthrough the pipe as the hot water faucet is opened. There must be no smoking or open flame near the faucet at the time it is open.
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