Draining; Maintenance; General; Relief Valves - State Water Heaters GPO 86-199 Installation & Operation Instruction

DRAINING

The water heater must be drained if it is to be shut down and exposed
to freezing temperatures. Maintenance and service procedures may also
require draining the heater.
1. Turn off the oil burner electrical disconnect switch.
• If required for draining the heater, turn off the oil line supply valve.
2. Open a nearby hot water faucet until the water is no longer hot.
3. Close the cold water inlet valve.
4. Open the heater drain valve.
5. If the heater is being drained for an extended shutdown, it is suggested
the drain valve be left open during this period.
• Follow FILLING instructions when restarting hot water service.

MAINTENANCE

GENERAL

Water heater maintenance includes periodic tank flushing and cleaning,
and removal of lime scale. The oil burner should be inspected and adjusted
to maintain proper combustion. Where used, the water heating system
circulating pump should be oiled (See table 9).
The depth of lime buildup should be measured periodically. Heaters will have
about 2" (51 mm) of lime buildup when the level of lime has reached the
bottom of the cleanout opening or about 1" (25.4 mm) of lime buildup if it has
reached the drain valve opening. A schedule for deliming should be setup,
based on the amount of time it would take for a 1" (25.4 mm) buildup of lime.
Example 1: Initial inspection shows 1/2" (12.7 mm) of lime accumulation
during the first 6 months of operation. Therefore, the heater
can be delimed once a year.
Example 2: Initial inspection shows 2" (51mm) of lime accumulation
during the first 6 months of operation. Therefore, the heater
should be delimed every 3 months.
Following are the instructions for performing some of the recommended
maintenance. Oil burner inspection and adjustment should be performed
by a competent technician.
TABLE 9. SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Relief Valve Lift Lever

Flushing

Sediment
Removal
Anode
Tank Inspection
Lime Scale
Removal
Circulating
Pump Oiling
Inspection
and
Oil Burner Adjustment
Nozzle
Replacement
Flue Baffle
Pipe Cleaning
Venting
System Inspected

RELIEF VALVES

At least twice a year, the system relief valves should be checked to ensure
that they are in operating condition. To check a relief valve, lift the lever
at the end of the valve several times. The valve should seat properly and
operate freely. Water should flow while the lever is lifted.
If water does not flow, remove the valve and inspect for obstructions
or corrosion. Replace with a new valve of the recommended size as
Semi-
Annually
Monthly
Semi-
Annually
Semi
Annually
As UN•LIME ®
Required Delimer
Four SAE No. 20 non-detergent
Months motor oil
Combustion test
Semi- kit & test specifications
Annually (Page 26)
Semi-
Annually New Nozzle
Annually Wire Brush
Semi-
Annually
necessary. Inspection of the valve should be performed at least every three
years. Do not attempt to repair the valve, as this could result in improper
operating and a tank explosion. In areas with poor water conditions, it
may be necessary to inspect the T&P valve more often than twice a year.
BEFORE MANUALLY OPERATING A RELIEF VALVE, MAKE SURE
THAT DRAIN LINE HAS BEEN ATTACHED TO THE VALVE TO DIRECT
THE DISCHARGE TO AN OPEN DRAIN. FAILURE TO TAKE THIS
PRECAUTION COULD MEAN CONTACT WITH EXTREMELY HOT WATER
PASSING OUT OF THE VALVE DURING THIS CHECK OPERATION.
If the temperature and pressure relief valve on the heater discharges
periodically or continuously, it may be due to thermal expansion of water
in a closed water supply system, or it may be due to a faulty relief valve.
Thermal expansion is the normal response of water when it is heated. In
a closed system, thermal expansion will cause the system pressure to
build until the relief valve actuation pressure is equaled. Then, the relief
valve will open, allowing water to escape, slightly lowering the pressure.
Your water supplier or local plumbing inspector will know how to best
correct this situation. Two common corrections are listed in the Checklist
and Service Information which appears later in this manual.
ABOVE ALL, DO NOT PLUG THE TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE
RELIEF VALVE. THIS IS NOT A SOLUTION AND CAN CREATE A
HAZARDOUS SITUATION.
1. Turn off the oil burner electrical disconnect switch.
2. Open a nearby hot water faucet until the water is no longer hot, close
the faucet.
3. Open the drain valve and allow water to flow until it runs clean.
4. Close the drain valve when finished flushing.
5. Turn on the oil burner electrical disconnect switch.

SEDIMENT REMOVAL

Water borne impurities consist of fine particles of soil and sand which settle
out and form a layer of sediment on the bottom of the tank.
For convenience, sediment removal and lime scale removal should be
performed at the same time.

LIME SCALE REMOVAL

The amount of calcium carbonate (Lime) released from water is in direct
proportion to water temperature and usage, see chart. The higher the
water temperature or water usage , the more lime deposits are dropped
out of the water. This is the lime scale which forms in pipes, heaters and
on cooking utensils.
WATER USAGE IN GALLONS PER DAY POUNDS OF LIME
DEPOSITED VS. TEMPERATURE AND WATER USAGE
11
DANGER
FLUSHING