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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 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 elTlciency 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.
Excessivecondensation can cause piloicoutage 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 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_roperly 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 firedwater heater to operate
properly as well as to carry away products of combustion and
water vapor.
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.
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 ofa *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.
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 tank unprotected. By
doing so, all warranty on the water heater tank is voided.
&WARNING
HOTrER WATER CAN SCAL_. Water heatersare intendedto
imxha:e hot water. Water heated to a _nporatum
which will
satisfydothes washing,dishwashing, and other sanitizing needs
can scaldand permanentlyinjureyou uponcontact. Some pee.
pie are more h_ely to be permonentlyinjuredby hot wa_erthan
ot_,rs. These include the elderly,children,the infirm,or I_
ly/montallyhandicapped. If anyoneusinghotwater in your home
Etsintoone ofthese greupsor if there isa localcodeor stere law
requiring a certain temperaturewater at the hot water Cap, t hon
youmust take spoclal p recaudonLIn additionto usingthe inwest
possible temperature settingthat satisfies your hot water needs,
a meam suchas a mixing valve,shouldbe usedat the hot water
taps usedbythese poople or at the water heater. M_xing valvesI
are available at plumbingmpply or hardwarestore_ Followman-
ufacturers instructions for installation of the valves. Before
changing the factory setting on the thermostat, read the
'q'emporatureRegulation"sectionin thismanual.
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