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Troubleshooting
Guide (cont'd)
Start Up Conditions
(cont'd)
CONDENSATION
SMOKE/ODOR
Whenever the water heater is fdled with cold water, a certain
amount of condensation
will form while the burner is on. A
water heater may appear to be leaking 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 ef_ciency 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 col&
Moisture from the products of Combustion condense on the
cooler tank surfaces and form di'ops of Water which may fall
onto the burner or other hot surfaces to produce a "sizzling" or
%tying" 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 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 sizedproperly 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.
AWARNING
HOTTER WATER CAN SCALD:. W ater heaters are intended to
hot
toa ma,.,t.. ich
satinydotheswashing, dishwashm_and othersanitmng needs
canscaldand permanentlyinjureyou uponcontact.Somepeo-
ple are more likelyto be permanently injuredbyhot water
other_Theseinclude the elderl_children, the infirm,or physical-
ly/mentally handicapped. If anyoeeusing hot water inyourhome
fitsintoone oftl'_e iFoupsor if there isa localcodeor statelaw
requiring a certaintemperaturewater at the hatwatertalhthen
youmusttakespeclal p recaul_ons. In .a_litionto using the lowest
pos_le temperature settingthat saUslies y ourhot waterneeds,
a rneanssuch as a mixingvalve,should be usudat the hotwater
tapsusedby these peopleor at the water heater.Mixingvalves
areavailable at plumbing supply or hardware storegFollow man-
ufacturers instructionsfor installation of the valves.Before
changingthe factory setting on the thermostat, read the
'fl'emperature Regulation" s ectioninthis manual.
It is ndt uncommon to experience a small amount of smoke and
odor during the initial start-up. This is due to burning offof 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 Cod (see parts section) for corrosion protectiorr 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.
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 _ervice for fi.trther 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.
"AIR"
IN HOT WATER
FAUCETS
AWARNING
HYDROGEN GAS: Hydrogengascan be producedin a hot
water systemthat hasnot been usedfor a long periodof time
(generallytwo weeks.or more). Hydrogengas is extremely
flammable and explosive. T o preventthe possibility of injury
under theseconditions, w e recommendthe hot water faucet
be ope. ned for severalminutes at the kitchensink beforeany
elecerical applianceswhichare connected to the hot water sys-
tem are usedlsuch as a dishwasher or washing machine). If
hydrogengasIs 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 isopen.
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