Kenmore 153.337213 - Manual (Page 24)

Troubleshooting Guide (cont’d)
Start Up Conditions (cont’d)
CONDENSATION
Whenever the water heater is filled with cold water, a certain
amount of condensation will form while the burner is on, A
water heater may appear to be leaking when in fact the water is
condensation. This usually happens when:
• ^en a new water heater is filled with cold water for the
first time.
• When gas burns and water vapor is produced in water
heaters, particularly high efficiency models where flue tem­
peratures are lower.
• 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 “sizrline” 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
disappear.
E>o not Msume 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 neater must be sized properly 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
^V ®pfing months when incoming water temperatures arc 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.
Operational Conditions
SMELLY WATER
In each glasslined water heater there is installed at least one
anode rod (see parts section) for corrosion protection of the
tank,
water conditions will cause a reaction between this
r™ and the water. The most common complaint associated with
ffie 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 ail be present for the odor
to develop:
a. a concentration of sulfate in the supply water.
b. litde 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 less active material,
and then chlorinating the water heater tank and all )iot 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 hearer tank is voided.
________________ A WARNING__________________
WATER CAN SCALD: Wkter heaters are intended to
pn^uce hot water. Water heated to a temperature which will
satisfy clothes washing, dish washing, and other sanitizing needs
CTO scald and permanently injure you upon contact Some peo­
ple are more liltely to be permanentfy iiqured by hot water than
^ers. These indude the elderiy, chikiren, tiie infirm, or physìcal-
fyknentally handicapped. If anyone using hot water in your home
fits ii^ one of these poups or К thee is a local code or «Tate law
requiring a certain temperature water at the hot water tap, then
you must take special precautions. In addition to using the lowest
possible temperature retting that satisfies your hot water needs,
a means such as a mbdng valve, should be used at the hot water
taps used by there people or at the water heater. Mixing valves
are avaUable at plumbing sq>p|y or hardware stores. Follow man­
ufacturers instructions for Instalfation of the valves. Before
changing the factory setting on the thermostat, read the
Temperature Regulation” section in this manual.
‘AIR” IN HOT WATER FAUCETS
AWARNING
HYDROGEN GAS: Hydrogen gas can be produced in a hot
water system that has not been used lor a long period of time
(generally two weeks or more). Hydrogen gas is extremely
flammable and e:i^losive. To prevent the possibility of injury
under these conditions, we recommend the hot water fujc^
be oproed for several minutes at the kitchen sink before any
etectrkal appliances which are connected to the hot water sys­
tem are used (such as a ditiiwasher or washing machine). If
hydrogen gas is present, there will probably be an unusual
reund similar to air escaping through the pipe as the hot water
faucet is opened. There must be no smoldng or open flame
near the faucet at the time it is open.
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