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 on 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 onto 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 wi!l cause more condensation. The water heater must be sized properly 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 vendng is essential for a gas fired water heater to operate properly as well as to carry away products of combustion and water vapor.
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 acdve 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 warx_ty on the water heater tank is voided.
AWARNING
HOTTER WATER CAN SCALD:,Water heatersare intendedto ptisfyrOducehot water. Water heatedto a temperaturewhichwill clotheswashing,dishwashing,and other sanitizingneeds canscaldand permanentlyinjureyou uponcontact.Somepeo-
ple are more flkelyto be permanentlyinjuredby hot water than uthe_ Theseindudethe elderly,children, theinfirm,or physical- ly/mentanyhandicappedIfanyoneusinghot. waterin yourhome fitsinto one ofthese gruupsor ifthere isa localcodeor statelaw requiringa certaintemperature water at the hot watertap, then youmusttake speciziprecaudon_In additionto usingthe lowest possibletemperature settingthat satisfiesyour hot water needs,
ameanssuchas a mixingvalve,shouldbe usedat the hot water tapsusedby thesepeopleor at the water heater Mixingvalves
are availableat plumbingsupplyor hardwarestoresFollowman.. ufacturers instructionsfor installation of the valves. Before
changingthe factory setting on the thermostat, read the 'eremperatureRegulation"sectioninth_ manual.
"AIR" IN HOT WATER FAUCETS
AWARNING
HYDROGEN GAS: Hydrogengas can be producedin a hot water systemthat hasnot beenusedfor a longperiod of time
(generallytwo weeks or more). Hydrogen gas!,s.extremely flammable and explosiveTo. preventthe possibiltyof injury
under these conditions,we recommendthe hot water faucet be openedfor severalminutesat the ldtchen sink beforeany electricalapplianceswhichare connectedto the hot w_er sys- tem are used(such as a dishwasheror washingmachine).If hydrogengas is present, there will probably be an unusual soundsimilarto air escapingthrough the pipeasthe hot water faucet is opened.There must be no smokingor openflame nearthe faucetat the time it isopen.
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