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29
Draining and Flushing
It is recommended that the tank be drained and flushed every 6
months to remove sediment which may build up during operation.
The water heater should be drained if being shut down during
freezing temperatures. To drain the tank, perform the following
steps:
1. Turn off the gas to the water heater at the manual gas shut-
off valve and turn off the electrical power to the gas control/
thermostat valve.
2. Open a nearby hot water faucet until the water is not longer
hot.
3. Close the cold water inlet valve.
4. Connect a hose to the drain valve and terminate it to an
adequate drain or external to the building.
5. Open the water heater drain valve and allow all the water to
drain from the tank. Flush the tank with water as needed to
remove sediment.
6. Close the drain valve, refill the tank, and restart the heater
as directed in this manual.
If the water heater is going to be shut down for an extended
period, the drain valve should be left open.
IMPORTANT: Condensation may occur when refilling the tank
and should not be confused with a tank leak.
Routine Preventive Maintenance
At least annually, a visual inspection should be made of the
venting and air supply system, piping systems, and main burner.
Check the water heater for the following:
• Obstructions, damage, or deterioration in the venting
system. Make sure the ventilation and combustion air
supplies are not obstructed.
• Clean any dust or debris from the screen of the air intake
chamber.
• Soot and/or carbon on the main burner. Contact a qualified
technician.
• Leaking or damaged water and gas piping.
• Presence of flammable or corrosive materials in the
installation area.
• Presence of combustible materials near the water heater.
• After servicing this water heater, check to make sure it
is working properly. (See “Operating Your Water Heater”
section of this manual.)
IMPORTANT: If you lack the necessary skills required to properly
perform this visual inspection, you should not proceed, but get
help from a qualified technician.
Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve
Explosion Harzard
• Temperature-pressure relief
valve must comply with ANSI
Z21.22-CSA 4.4 and ASME
code.
• Properly sized temperature-
pressure relief valve must be
installed in opening provided.
• Can result in overheating
and excessive tank pressure.
• Can cause serious injury or
death.
Manually operate the temperature and pressure relief valve at
least once a year to make sure it is working properly. To prevent
water damage, the valve must be properly connected to a
discharge line which terminates at an adequate drain. Standing
clear of the outlet (discharged water may be hot), slowly lift
and release the lever handle on the temperature and pressure
relief valve to allow the valve to operate freely and return to its
closed position. See Figure 34. If the valve fails to completely
reset and continues to release water, immediately shut off the
electrial power, manual gas control valve and the cold water
inlet valve and call a qualified technician. Contact Sears Service
1-800-4-MY-HOME
®
(www.sears.com).
TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE
RELIEF VALVE
DISCHARGE LINE TO DRAIN
MANUAL RELIEF
VALVE
FIGURE 34.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENT