36
for Your InforMatIon

start up condItIons

sMoKe/odor
Itisnotuncommontoexperienceasmallamountofsmokeand
odorduringtheinitial start-up.Thisisdue toburningoffof oil
frommetalparts,andwilldisappearinashortwhile.
therMal eXpansIon
Watersupplysystems may, because of such events as high
linepressure, frequent cut-offs, the effects of water hammer
amongothers, have installed devices such as pressure
reducingvalves, check valves, back flow preventers, etc.
tocontrol these types of problems. When these devices
arenot equipped with an internal by pass, and no other
measuresare taken, the devices cause the water system
tobeclosed.Aswaterisheated,itexpands(thermalexpansion)
andclosed systems do not allow for the expansion of
heated water.
Thewater within the water tank expands as it is heated
andincreases the pressure of the water system. If the
relieving���point of the water heater’s temperature-pressure
reliefvalveisreached,thevalvewillreleaseexcesspressure.The
temperature-pressurereliefvalve isnotintended fortheconstant
reliefofthermalexpansion.Thisisan unacceptableconditionand
must be corrected. It is recommended that any devices
installed which could create a closed system have a
by-passand/or the system have an expansion tank
or device to relieve the pressure built by thermal
expansionin the water system. Expansion tanks are
available for ordering through a local plumbing
contractor.Contact the local water heater supplier
orqualifiedservice agencyfor assistanceincontrolling these
situations.
stranGe sounds
Possiblenoisesduetoexpansionandcontractionofsomemetal
partsduringperiodsofheat-upandcool-downdonotnecessarily
representharmfulordangerousconditions.
Condensationcausessizzlingandpoppingwithintheburnerarea
duringheatingand coolingperiods andshouldbe considered
normal.See“Condensate”inthissection.

operatIonal condItIons

sMellY water
Ineach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”inthehotwater.Thesmellisa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 which has accumulated within the
waterheater(thisharmlessbacteriaisnontoxictohumans).
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 waterlines.Contact
thelocal water heater supplier or a qualied service agency for
furtherinformationconcerninganAnodeReplacementKitandthis
chlorination treatment.
Ifthesmellywaterpersistsaftertheanodereplacementandchlorination
treatment,wecanonlysuggestthatchlorinationor aerationofthe
watersupply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
HYDROGENGAS:Hydrogengascanbeproduced inahotwater
systemthathasnotbeenusedforalongperiodof time(generally
twoweeks or more). Hydrogen gas is extremely ammable and
explosive.Topreventthepossibilityofinjuryundertheseconditions,
we recommend the hot water faucet, located farthest away, be
openedfor several minutes before any electrical appliances
whichareconnectedtothehot watersystemareused(suchasa
dishwasherorwashing��machine).Ifhydrogengasispresent,there
willprobablybeanunusualsoundsimilartoairescapingthroughthe
pipeasthehotwaterfaucetisopened.Theremustbenosmoking
oropenamenearthefaucetatthetimeitisopen.