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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 off of
oil from metal parts, and will disappear in a short while.
Thermal Expansion
Water supply system may, because of such events as high line
pressure, frequent cut-offs, the effects of water hammer among
others, have installed devices such as pressure reducing
valves, check valves, back flow preventers, etc., to control these
types of problems. When these devices are not equipped with
an internal by-pass, and no other measures are taken, the
devices cause the water system to be closed. As water is
heated, it expands (thermal expansion) and closed systems
do not allow for the expansion of heated water.
The water within the water heater tank expands as it is heated
and increases the pressure of the water system. If the relieving
point of water heater’s temperature-pressure relief valve is
reached, the valve will relief the excess pressure. The
temperature-pressure relief valve is not intended for the
constant relief of thermal expansion. This is an unacceptable
condition and must be corrected.
It is recommended that any devices installed which could create
a closed system have a by-pass and/or the system have an
expansion tank or device to relieve the pressure built by thermal
expansion in the water system. Thermal expansion tanks are
available for ordering through the Maytag Customer Service
Center (1-800-788-8899). Contact the local plumbing inspector,
water supplier and/or call Maytag Customer Service at
1-800-788-8899 for assistance in controlling these situations.
Strange Sounds
Possible noises due to expansion and contraction of some
metal parts during periods of heat-up and cool-down do not
represent harmful or dangerous conditions.
Condensation causes sizzling and popping within the burner
area during heating and cooling periods and should be
considered normal. See Condensation section.
Operational Conditions
Smelly Odor
In each 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 concentration of sulfate in the supply water.
• little or no dissolved oxygen in the water.
• a sulfate reducing bacteria within the water heater. (This
harmless bacteria is non-toxic to humans.)
• 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 Maytag Customer Service at
1-800-788-8899 for further information concerning an Anode
Replacement Kit and this Chlorination Treatment.
If the smelly water persists after the anode replacement and
chlorination treatment, we can only suggest that chlorination
or aeration of the water supply 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
HYDROGEN GAS: Hydrogen gas can be produced in a hot
water system that has not been used for a long period of time
(generally two weeks or more). Hydrogen gas is extremely
flammable and explosive. To prevent the possibility of injury
under these conditions, we recommend the hot water faucet,
located farthest away, be opened for several minutes before
any electrical appliances which are connected to the hot water
system are used (such as a dishwasher or washing machine).
If hydrogen gas is present, there will probably be an unusual
sound similar to air escaping through the pipe as the hot water
faucet is opened. There must be no smoking or open flame
near the faucet at the time it is open.