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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 rile burner is on. A
water heater may appear to be leaking when in Fact die 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 ei_]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 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.
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,
SMOKE/ODOR
It is not unconnnon 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 glass[ined water heater there is installed at [east 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 lessactive 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.
AWARNING
HOTTER WATERCAN SCALD:Water heatersareintendedto
_roducehot water.Water heatedto a temperaturewhichwill
satisfyclotheswashing,dishwashing,andothersanitizingneeds
canscaldandpermanentlyinjureyouuponcontact.Somepeo-
>learemore likelyto bepermanentlyinjuredbyhot waterthan
others.Theseincludetheelderly,children,the infirm,orphysical-
ly/mentallyhandicapped.If anyoneusinghotwaterinyourhome
fitsintooneofthesegroupsor ifthereisa localcodeor statelaw
requiring acertaintemperature waterat thehotwatertap, then
€oumusttakespecialpRcautions.Inadditionto usingthelowest
)ossibletemperaturesettingthat satisfiesyourhotwaterneeds,
i meanssuchasa mixingvalve,shouldbeusedat the hotwater
tapsusedbythese peopleor at the waterheater.Mixingvalves
areavailableat plumbingsupplyor hardwarestores.Followman-
ufacturersinstructionsfor installationof the valves.Before
changingthe factory setting on the thermostat, read the
"TemperatureRegulation"sectioninthis manual.
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