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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 leakingwben in fact the water is
condensation. This usually happens when:
• When a new water heater is fdled with cold water for the
first time.
• When gas burns and water vapor is produced in water
heaters, particularly high efficiencymodels 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 %izzling"or
"fryi_" 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 diagnosedas a _tank leak". After the water in the
tank warms up (about 1-2 hours), the condition should
disappear.
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 sized properly to meet the family's
demandsfor hot water includingdishwashers,washing machines
and showerheads.
Excessive condensation may be noticed during the winter and
early spring months when incoming water temperatures are at
their lowest.
SMOKEIODOR
It is not uncommon to experience a small amount of smoke and
odor during the initial start-up. This is due to burningoffof oil
from metal parts, and will disappear in a short while.
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 reactionbetween this
rod and the w_ter.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 resultof four factors which'must all be present for the odor
to develop:
a. a concenttation 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 non-toxic to humans.)
d. an excessof active hydrogen in the tank. This is caused by
the corrosion protective actionof the anode.
Smellywater may be eliminated or reduced in some water heater
models by replacingthe anode(s) with one of lessactive 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.
Iftbe smelly water pezsists 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 waterproblem.
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.
Do not remove the anode leaving the tank turl_rotected. By
doing so, all warranty on the water heater tank Is voided,
&WARNING
HOTTER WATER CAN SCALD:. Water heatersare intendedto
Im._,.
,..,uce hot water. Water heated to a tomperatore whichwill,
satisfy clotheswashing,dishwashing,and other sanitizingneeds
can scaldand permanentlyinjureyou uponcontact. Some peo-
ple are more likelyto be permanentiyinjuredbyhot water than
obhergTheseindudethe elderly, c hildren,the infirm, or physical-
ly/meotaEyhandicapped.If anyoneusinghot water in yourhome
fits intoone of thesegroupsor If there isa Io¢.al c ndeor statelaw
_ring
a certeintomperaUa'e water at tbe hot watortap,then
sm must lake specialpmcautiens. I n addition to usingthe lowest
KWZi/de _,_at_e
setting that satisfies _r
bet wzt_- nee_
Lrn_u_ such _ a mfaing valve, should be used at the hot water
taps usedby thesepeople or at the water heater.Mixingvalves
are availableat plumbingsupply or hardwarestores,Followman-
ufacturers instructions for installation of the valves. Before
changing the factory setting on the thermostat, read the
"Temperature Regulation"set'denin thismanual,
"AIR"
IN HOT
WATER
FAUCETS
AWARNING
HYDROGENGAS:Hydrogen gascanbe produced in a hot
watersymmlthat hasnot beenused for a long periodoftime
(generally two weeksor more). Hydrogen gasis extremely
flammableand explosive. To p_vant the possibility o f injury
undertheseconditions, we recommend the hot waterfaucet
be opened for several m inutes at the kitchenrinkbeforeany
elecUkala_lian_s whichareconnected t o thehatwatersys-
tom are used(suchasa dishwasher or washing machine).If
hydrogengasis present, there will probably be an unusual
sound similar to air escaping throughthe pipe_ the hotwater
faucet is opened.
Theremust be
no
smoking or
open
flame
nearthefaucet a t the timeit isopen.
24
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