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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 cofidensation 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 isproduced
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
1-2 hours),
the condition
should
disappear.
SMOKEIODOR
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 parrs, 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 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 non-toxic
to humans.)
d. an excess of active hydrogen
in the tank. This is caused by
the corrosion protective
action of the anode.
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
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.
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.
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 unprotected.
By
doing so, all warranty on the water heater tank is voided.
AWARNING
HOTTER WATERCAN SCALD:. W ater heaters are intended to
producehot water.Water heated to a temperature whichwill
satisfy clotheswashing, dishwashing, andother sanitizing needs
canscaldand permanently injureyou uponcontact.Somepeo-
pleare more likelyto be permanently injuredbyhotwater than
others. T heseinclude theelderly, c hildren, the infirm,or physicak
ly/mentallyhandicapped. If anyone using hotwater in your home
fitsintooneofthasegroups or If there isa localcodeor statelaw
requiting a certaintemperaturewaterat the hot watertap,then
youmusttakespecial precautions. In addition to using the lowest
possible t emperature settingthat satlsllas y our hot water needs,
a meanssuch as a mixing valve,should be used at the hotwater
tapsusedby thesepeopleor at the water heater.Mixingvalves
areavmZabie at plumbing supply or hardware stores_ Follow man-
ufacturers instructionsfor installationof the valves.Before
changingthe factory setting on the thermostat, read the
'fl'emperature Regulation" s ection inthis manual.
"AIR"
IN HOT
WATER
FAUCETS
AWARNING
HYDROGEN GAS: Hydrogengascan be producedin a hot
water systemthat hasnot beenusedfor a longperiodof timo
(generallytwo weeks or more). Hydrogengas is extremely
flammableand explosive.To preventthe possibilityof injury
under ti_se conditions, w e recommendthe hot water faucet
be openedfor severalminutesat the kitchensink before any
dectricalappliances w hichare connected to the hot water sys-
tem are used(suchas a dishwasher or washingmachine),If
hydrogengas is present, there will probably be an unusual
sound similarto air escaping through the pipeasthe hot water
faucet
is opened.
There must be
no
smokingor
open flame
nearthe faucetat
the time
it is open.
24
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