Installation Guide

27
MAINTENANCE OF YOUR WATER HEATER
IMPORTANT: If you do not have the skills and training to perform a
maintenance procedure, do not attempt it. Get help from a qualifi ed
technician.
BURNER FLAME INSPECTION
Inspect the burner fl ames through the viewport and compare them to
the drawing in Figure 36. A properly operating burner should produce
a soft blue fl ame. Blue tips with yellow inner cones are satisfactory.
The tips of the fl ame may have a slight yellow tint. The fl ame should
not be all yellow or have a sharp blue-orange color. Contaminated air
may cause an orange colored fl ame. Contact a qualifi ed technician
if the fl ame is not satisfactory.
FIGURE 33.
R O U T I N E P R E V E N T I V E M A I N T E N A N C E
At least annually, a visual inspection should be made of the venting
and air supply system, piping systems, main burner, and pilot 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.
• Soot and/or carbon on the main burner and pilot 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 that it is
working properly.
IMPORTANT: If you lack the necessary skills required to properly
perform this visual inspection, you should not proceed, but get help
from a qualifi ed technician.
A N O D E R O D I N S P E C T I O N
Each water heater contains at least one anode rod, which will slowly
deplete (due to electrolysis) prolonging the life of the water heater
by protecting the glass-lined tank from corrosion. Adverse water
quality, hotter water temperatures, high hot water usage, and water
softening methods can increase the rate of anode rod depletion. Once
the anode rod is depleted, the tank will start to corrode, eventually
developing a leak.
Anode Rod Depletion
FIGURE 34.
Certain water conditions will cause a reaction between the anode
rod and the water. The most common complaint associated with
the anode rod is a “rotten egg smell” produced from the presence
of hydrogen sulfi de gas dissolved in the water. IMPORTANT: Do not
remove this rod permanently as it will void any warranties. A special
anode rod may be available if water odor or discoloration occurs.
NOTE: This rod may reduce but not eliminate water odor problems.
The water supply system may require special fi ltration equipment
from a water conditioning company to successfully eliminate all water
odor problems.
Artifi cially softened water is exceedingly corrosive because the process
substitutes sodium ions for magnesium and calcium ions. The use
of a water softener may decrease the life of the water heater tank.
The anode rod should be inspected after a maximum of three years
and annually thereafter until the condition of the anode rod dictates
its replacement. NOTE: Artifi cially softened water requires the anode
rod to be inspected annually. The following are typical (but not all)
signs of a depleted anode rod:
• The majority of the rods diameter is less than 3/8” (9.5 mm).
• Signifi cant sections of the support wire (approx. 1/3 or more of the
anode rod’s length) are visible.
If the anode rod show signs of either or both it should be replaced.
NOTE: Whether re-installing or replacing the anode rod, check for
any leaks and immediately correct if found. In replacing the anode:
1. Turn off gas supply to the water heater.
2. Shut off the water supply and open a nearby hot water faucet to
depressurize the water tank.
3. Drain approximately 5 gallons (18.9 liters) of water from tank. (Refer
to “Draining and Flushing” for proper procedures.) Close drain valve.
4. Remove old anode rod.
5. Use Tefl on
®
tape or approved pipe sealant on threads and install
new anode rod.
6. Turn on water supply and open a nearby hot water faucet to purge
air from water system. Check for any leaks and immediately
correct any if found.
7. Restart the water heater as directed in this manual.
See the Repair Parts illustration for anode rod location.
Tefl on
®
is a registered trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.