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Troubleshooting
Guide
(cont'd)
Operational
Conditions
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 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
efficiency
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.
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 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.
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 offof oil
from metal parts, and will disappear in a short while.
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 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 Service for further information concerning
an Anode Replacement Kit #9001453 and this Chlorination
"fi-eatment.
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 system that has not been used for a long period of
time (generally two weeks or more). Hydrogen gas is
extremely flammableand explosive. T o preventthe possibili-
ty of injury under these conditions, w e recommend the hot
water faucet be opened for several minutes at the kitchen
sink before any electricalappliances which are connectedto
the hot water system are used (such as a dishwasher or
washingmachine). If hydrogen gasis present,there will prob-
ably be an unusualsoundsimilar to air escaping through the
pipe as the hot water faucet is opened. There must be no
smokingor openflame near the faucetat the time it is open.
33
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