TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
18
CONDITION
CAUSE
CORRECTIVE ACTION
High operating costs
(Continued)
Long runs or exposed piping.
Insulate piping.
Hot water piping on outside wall.
Insulate piping.
Insufficient hot water.
Low gas pressure.
Check with gas utility company.
Wrong piping connections.
Correct piping, dip tube must be in cold inlet.
Sediment or lime in tank.
Drain. Check to see if water treatment is necessary.
Water heater is undersized.
Install the size of water heater that meets the demand.
Gas control set too low.
Turn temperature knob to desired temperature.
Leaking faucets.
Repair faucets.
Wasted hot water.
Advise consumer.
Long runs or exposed piping.
Insulate piping.
Hot water piping on outside wall.
Insulate piping.
Slow hot water recovery.
Insufficient secondary air.
Provide fresh air ventilation.
Low gas pressure.
Check with gas utility company.
Gas control set too low.
Turn temperature dial to desired temperature.
Improper calibration.
Replace gas control.
Flue clogged.
Clean. Check for source of trouble and correct.
Water heater is undersized.
Install size of water heater that meets demand.
Wrong piping connection.
Correct piping, dip tube must be in cold inlet.
Wasted hot water.
Advise consumer.
Leaking water.
Poorly sealed, hot or cold water connections,
gas control threads, relief valve,
or drain valve.
Tighten threaded connections.
Leakage from plumbing system or
other appliances.
Inspect plumbing system and other appliances.
Condensation.
Refer to
Condensation.
Water drips from the
relief valve.
Heater stacking.
Lower gas control setting.
Excessive water pressure.
Install a pressure-reducing valve.
Thermal expansion in a closed water system.
Install an expansion tank.
Improperly seated valve.
Check relief valve works properly and
replace if necessary.
The gas control fails
to shut-off.
Defective gas control.
Replace with new gas control.
Improper calibration.
Replace gas control.
Condensation.
Water heater filled for first time.
Let water heater warm up. Problem should go away.
If it persists, check all plumbing connections for leaks.
Heavy draws of hot water with
very cold refill water.
Let water heater warm up. Problem should go away.
If it persists, check all plumbing connections for leaks.
Water heater is undersized.
Install size of water heater that meets demand.
Combustion odours.
Insufficient secondary air.
Provide fresh air ventilation.
Heater installed in a confined area.
Provide fresh air ventilation.
Flue clogged.
Clean. Check for source of trouble and correct.
Smoking and carbon
Insufficient secondary air.
Provide fresh air ventilation.
Low gas pressure.
Check with gas utility company.
Burner flame yellow, lazy.
Refer to
The burner flame is yellow and lazy.
Flue clogged.
Clean. Check for source of trouble and correct.
Defective gas control.
Replace with new gas control.
Heater installed in a confined area.
Provide fresh air ventilation.
The pilot flame is too small.
Low gas pressure.
Check with utility.
Pilot line or orifice clogged.
Clean. Check for source of trouble and correct.
Smelly water.
High sulfate or mineral content in water.
Change magnesium anode to an aluminum anode
and bleach tank.
