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CARE OF YOUR WATER HEATER
WORK THE TEMPERATURE AND
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
The relief valve, located on top of the water heater, protects
againstdangerouslyexcessivetemperatureand/or pressure build-
up insidethe water heatm The reliefvalve automatically opens if
the temperature or pressure gets too high to relieve hot water
and/or pressureto the drain. To avoid serious safety hazards or
damage to the water heater,it is very important to keep the valve
ingood working ord_ ONCE EACHYEAR, do thefollowing:
NOTE; If you do not keep the relief valve in good working
order, THE WARRANTY IS VOID if the water heater fails
because of high temperature and/or pressure.
1. Be sureno one is standing near the relief valve drain pipe as
hot water could splash on them. Also be sure water will flow
to the drain point and not damage the surrounding area.
WARNING
WATER FROM THE RELIEF VALVE DRAIN PiPE MAY BE
VERY HOT.MAKE SURE NO ONE IS NEAR THE PIPE OR
THEY COULD GET BURNED SEVERELY.
2. With your hand on the relief valve handle, open and close
the valve 2 or 3 times (FIG.7, Page 11). The valve should
reset and close, stopping water flow from the drain pipe.
Ifyou don't get anywater from the drain pipe, or ifwater flow
does notstop, the valve is bad and a new one is needed.
WARNING
If the temperature and pressure relief valve ever needs replacing,
useonlyavalvespecMedbylocalcodes,but r_t lessthancombination
temperature and pressure relief valve certified by a nationally
recognized testing laboratory that maintains periodic inspection of
listed equipment or materials meeting the requirements for Relief
Valves and Automatic Gas Shutoff Devices for Hot Water Supply
Systems, as specified in the latest edition of ANSI Z21.22. The
replacement valve must be marked with a maximum set pressure
not to exceed the maximum working pressure of the water heater
as indicated on the rating plate. (The reliefvalve provided with the
water heater meets these requirements.)
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WARNING
If the temperature and pressure relief valve on the appliance
weeps or discharges periodically, this may be due to thermal
expansion. (See page 9.) Your water heater may have a check
valve installed in the water line or a water meter with a check
valve. Consult your local Sears Service Center for further
information. Never plug the temperature and pressure relief valve.
TO REPLACETHE TEMPERATURE AND
PRESSURE RELIEFVALVE...
1. Turn off electric power to the water heater.
2. Close the cold water supply pipe shut-off valve to the water
heater.
3. Open a nearby hot water faucet and KEEPOPEN.
4. Open the water heater drain valve for about 60 seconds or
until the water level is below the temperature and pressure
relief valve shaft (fasten a drain hose to the drain valve if
needed to direct the water to a suitable drain). Then close
the drain valve.
WARNING
I
WATERFROM THE DRAIN HOSE MAY BE VERY HOT.BE I
SURE NO ONE IS NEAR THE DRAIN HOSE OR THEY
r
COULD GET BURNED SEVERELY.
5. Remove the drain pipe from the temperature and pressure
relief valve, then remove the old temperature and pressure
reliefvalve (see FIG. 2, Page 6). Use two wrenches, one to
hold the hex nut and one to remove the temperature and
pressure reliefvalve. Never usejust onewrench.
6. Put pipe thread seal compound on the new replacement
valve male threads. Be sure a seat ring is inside the center
(RELIEF VALVE)hex union nut. Use factory suppliedseal
ring washers only. DO NOT use sealants with seal ring
washers. Then turn the valve intothe he× union. DO NOT
place any valve between the temperature and pressure
reliefvalve and the tank. Face the relief valveoutlet in the
direction you will run the drain pipe. Hold the valve in place
while you tighten the hex union nut. READTHE "CAUTION"
NOTE FOLLOWING STEP2 ON PAGE4.
7. Install the drain pipe to the new temperature and pressure
reliefvalve (see Step 5 and FIG.2 on Page 6).
8. Open the cold water supply valve. When water from the hot
faucet runs smooth, with no more air bubbles, close the
faucet (seeStep 7, Page 6).
CAUTION: Be sure the water heater is completely full of
water before turning on electric power.
9. Turnon the electric power.
Temperature
and Pressure --...
Relief Valve
' (j_r Union (see Figure 2,
,/.°°6)
' ' LI•
HEATING ELEMENTS
Most water supplies will cause scale or mineral deposits to
form on the heating elements. As the scale forms, it gets harder
for the elements to heat water. If you hear a rumbling noise
coming from the water heater, it's probably caused by scale
build-up on the elements. Element life can be lengthened with
a water softener (and possibly other water treating equipment
._ check with Sears) which removes most of or all the minerals
that cause the scale.
To REPLACE A BURNED OUT ELEMENT, do the following.
You can buy new elements from Sears (see FIG. 8 and Pages
14-15). REPLACEMENT ELEMENTS, SOLD IN MOST
HARDWARESTORES, WILL NOT FITTillS WATERHEATER.
AN ELEMENT WRENCH ITEM NUMBER 42-31923 IS ALSO
AVAILABLEATSEARS.