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Troubleshooting
Guide
(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 leakin_when 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 amotmts of hot water in a short time
and the refill water is rely cold.
Moisture from the
products
of combtlstion
condense
on the
cooler tank surfaces and f'orm drops of wat¢'r which may fhll
onto the burner or otber bot
surf'aces
to
produce a "sizzling" or
"frying" noise.
Excessive condensation can cause pilot outage due to water run
ning down the title tube onto the main burner and putting out
the pilot.
Because of the suddenness and amonnt 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 disap-
pear,
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.
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.
=t WARNING
HO'I-rERWATER CAN SCALD:Water heaters are intended to
producehot water,Water heatedto a temperature whichwill
satisfy clothes washing, dishwashing, and other sanitizingneeds
canscaldand permanentlyinjureyou uponcontact.Somepeo-
ple are more likelyto be permanently injuredbyhot water than
others.Theseinclude the eldedy, c hildren, the infirm,or physical-
ly/mentally handicapped. If anyoneusing hot water in yourhome
fitsintooneof thesegroups or if thereisa localcodeor statelaw:
requiring a certaintemperaturewater at thehot water tap, then i
,oumusttake special precautions. In addition to using the lowest
possible temperaturesettingthat satisfies y ourhot water needs
a meanssuchasa mixingvalve,should be usedat the hot water
tapsused bythesepeopleor at the water heater.Mixingvalves
areavailable at plumbing supply or hardware stores. F ollowman-
ufacturers instructionsfor installationof the valves.Before
changing the factory setting on the thermostat, read the
"Temperature Regulation" s ection in thismanual.
SMOKE/ODOR
It _s not
tnlcommon
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.
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. "I'he most common complaint associated with
tile anode rod is one of a "rotten egg smell". This odor is derived
from hydrooen sulfide gas dissolved in the water. The smell is
the result oi_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.
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.
Do not remove the anode leaving the ta_k unprotected. By
doing so, all warranty on the water heater tank is voided.
"AIR"
IN HOT WATER
FAUCETS
AWARNING
;HYDROGEN
GAS: Hydrogen gas can be produced in a hot
i water system that has not been used for a long period of time
I(generally two weeks or more). Hydrogen gas is extremely
flammable and explosive. To prevent the possibility of injury
under these eond_ions, we recommend
the hot water faucet
be opened for several minutes at the kitchen sink before any
electrical applianceswhich are connected to the hot water sys-
tem are used (such as a dishwasher or washing machine). If
hydrogen gas is present, there will probably
be an unusual
sound similar to air escapingthrough the pipe as the hot water
faucet is opened. There must be no smoking or open flame
near the faucet at the time it isopen.
23
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