Maintenance - Rheem Single and Double Element Models Use & Care Manual

button. Replace insulation and jacket access panel(s) before turning on
power to water heater.
3. EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS —
WARNING
!
If water heater has been subjected to flood, fire, or physical
damage, turn off power and water to water heater. Do not
operate the water heater again until it has been thoroughly
checked by qualified service personnel.
4. VACATION AND LONG TIME SHUT-DOWN — If the water heater is to
remain idle for an extended period of time, the power and water to the
water heater should be turned off to conserve energy. The water heater
and piping should be drained if they might be subjected to freezing
temperatures.
NOTE: Refer to "Hydrogen Gas Caution" in Safety Precautions
Section on page 6.
After a very long shut-down period, the water heater's operation and
controls should be checked by qualified service personnel. Make certain
the water heater is completely filled before again placing it in operation .
5. DRAINING HEATER —
CAUTION
!
Shut off power to water heater before draining water.
Properly maintained, your water heater will provide years of dependable trouble-
free service. It is suggested that a routine preventive maintenance program be
established and followed by the user. It is further recommended that a periodic
inspection of the operating controls, heating element and wiring should be
made by service personnel qualified in electric appliance repair.
1. ROUTINE PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
A. Most electrical appliances make some sound when in operation, even when
new. If the hissing or singing sound level increases excessively, the electric
heating element may require cleaning. Contact your installer or plumbing
contractor to inspect.
B. The area near the water heater must be kept free of flammable liquids such
as gasoline or paint thinners, adhesives or other combustible materials.
C. At least once a year, lift and release the lever handle on the temperature
pressure relief valve, located near the top of the water heater, to make
certain the valve operates freely and allow several gallons to flush through
discharge line. Make certain the discharged water is directed to an open
drain.
DANGER
!
Before manually operating the relief valve, make certain no
one will be exposed to the danger of coming in contact with
the hot water released by this valve. The water may be hot
enough to create a SCALD hazard. The water released should
be directed to a suitable drain to prevent injury or dam-
age.
Operation
In order to drain water heater, turn off cold water supply, then it is
necessary to open a hot water faucet or lift the handle on the relief valve
to admit air to the tank. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve on the
water heater (located behind the front center panel near the bottom of the
water heater) and direct the stream of water to a drain where it will do no
damage.
DANGER
!
The water drained from the tank may be hot enough to pres-
ent a SCALD HAZARD and should be directed to a suitable
drain to prevent injury or damage.
6. ANODE — This water heater is equipped with an anode rod designed to
prolong the life of the glass lined tank. The anode is slowly consumed
cathodically, thereby eliminating or minimizing corrosion of the glass lined
tank.
Water sometimes contains a high sulfate and/or mineral content and
together with the cathodic protection process can produce a hydrogen
sulfide or rotten egg odor in the heated water. Chlorination of the water
supply should minimize the problem.
NOTE: Do not remove the anode rod from the water heater's tank,
except for inspection and/or replacement, as operation with the
anode rod removed will greatly shorten the life of the glass lined
tank and will exclude warranty coverage.

Maintenance

NOTE: If the temperature and pressure relief valve on the water heater
discharges periodically, this may be due to thermal expansion in a
"Closed" water system. Contact the water supplier or your plumbing
contractor on how to correct this. DO NOT plug the relief valve outlet.
D. A water heater' s tank can act as a settling basin for solids suspended in the
water. It is, therefore, not uncommon for hard water deposits to accumulate
in the bottom of the tank. It is suggested that a few quarts of water be
drained from the water heater' s tank every month to clean the tank of these
deposits.
E. Rapid closing of faucets or solenoid valves in automatic water using
appliances can cause a pounding "water hammer" sound. "Water hammer"
can be described as a banging noise heard in a water pipe following an
abrupt alteration of the flow with resulting pressure surges. Strategically
located risers in the water pipe system can be used to minimize the
problem. Also water hammer arresting devices are usually available from
your plumber or local plumbing supply store.
2. ANODE ROD INSPECTION — The anode rod should be removed from the
water heater' s tank annually for inspection and replaced when more than 6"
of core wire is exposed at either end of the rod. Refer to Fig. 2 or 3 for anode
rod location. Make certain cold water supply is turned off before removing
anode rod.
7