Specifications

Stellar Service Instructions REV: D
Date of Issue: 14/09/2007
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10
Discoloured water
1. This may be the result of discoloured water entering from the cold water mains. Check if the cold water is also
discoloured.
2. Brown coloured water will generally indicate that the anode has been depleted or the water heater is near the end
of its useful life.
3. Milky coloured water is generally air in suspension and will disperse of its own accord. In very hard water areas
where anode gassing occurs, milky water may be evident. The use of a blue anode should overcome this
problem.
Water hammer
A water heater will not cause water hammer, however valves associated with the water heater may be the source of
the problem i.e. cold-water stopcock, non-return valve, T&PR valve or relief valve.
Most water hammer problems are associated with plumbing, hot and cold, or appliances i.e. solenoid valves, ball
cocks, loose pipes, sharp angles in pipe work, faulty or worn valve parts or neighbouring equipment.
High water pressure areas will have more complaints of this nature and the use of a pressure-limiting valve (PLV) to
reduce the household cold-water pressure will usually solve most problems.
Hot water plumbing leaks
If hot water has not been used for a period of time, feeling the temperature of the hot water line may give an
indication of water flow if the pipe is warm. The method of checking for plumbing leaks is:
1. Turn off the stopcock on the cold water supply to the water heater.
2. Open a hot tap to ensure the flow of water stops. This will confirm the stopcock is operating correctly.
3. Turn off the hot tap.
4. Turn on the stopcock to make up the water pressure in the cylinder, and then turn the stopcock off again.
5. Wait approximately 5 minutes then do either of the following:
a. With your ear close to the stopcock turn it on slightly and listen for any water passing. If there are no leaks,
water should not pass.
b. Open a hot tap while listening for any pressure release. If there is a pressure release there will be no leaks in
the plumbing system.
Mixing or crossed connections
If an automatic dishwasher, washing machine, flick mixer tap, tempering valve or thermostatic mixing valve is
installed there is always the possibility that the cold water could mix with the hot water through a faulty or incorrectly
installed valve. This is referred to as a cross connection.
The complaints of insufficient hot water, water too cold or excessive discharge from the T&PR valve may be
attributed to a cross connection. The method of checking for a cross connection is:
1. Turn off the stopcock on the cold water supply to the water heater.
2. Open a hot tap. If water flow is persistent and cold a cross connection exists.