Page 207 - 8170 Money Builder Binder for Owner_Neat

MAINTENANCE

RouƟ ne Maintenance ments than trying to remove heavy NOTICE: DO NOT turn electrical power
lime deposits. back on unless the tank is completely
RouƟ ne maintenance will help your
full of water.
water heater last longer and work bet- To drain and Ň ush the tank: Remove and inspect the anode
ter. If you can’t perform these rouƟ ne 7
Locate the water heater’s rod (see Repair Parts Illustra-
maintenance tasks yourself, contact a 1 Ɵ on on back cover for locaƟ on
qualiĮ ed person. circuit breaker and turn it OFF
(or remove the circuit’s fuses). of the anode rod). Replace the anode
rod if it is depleted. Turn power oī . Run
Water Heater Maintenance
hot water unƟ l it’s cool. Turn cold water
AŌ er the Į rst six months, drain and
supply valve oī . Open a hot water
Ň ush the water heater and inspect the
faucet to depressurize tank. Locate and
anode rod. Depending on the hard-
remove the black plasƟ c cover marked
ness of your water, repeat this process
Figure 24 -രCircuit Breaker “Anode” Use a “key hole” saw or similar
at least annually, or more frequently if tool to remove the foam insulaƟ on
needed. From Ɵ me to Ɵ me, you may 2 Open a hot water faucet and covering the anode rod. Once the
need to replace a heaƟ ng element or a let the hot water run unƟ l it is anode rod is exposed, use a 1 1/16”
thermostat. All three maintenance tasks cool.
socket wrench with an extension to
are described below.
remove it. Inspect the anode rod and
replace if depleted. Apply TeŇ on® tape
Draining and Flushing the
or pipe joint compound and reinstall
Water Heater the anode rod Ɵ ghtly. It is not necessary
Tap water contains minerals that can to replace the foam removed to access
form lime deposits on heaƟ ng elements the anode. Turn cold water supply valve
or sediment in the boƩ om of the tank. on. When hot water runs full, close hot
Figure 25 -രWater Faucet
The amount of lime deposits or sedi- water faucet. Check for leaks and repair
ment depends on the hardness of your WARNING! Be sure the water runs if necessary. Turn power on.
tap water. The rate at which sediment cool before draining the tank to reduce
builds up depends on water quality and the risk of scalding.
hardness in your area, the tempera-
Connect a garden hose to the
ture seƫ ngs, and other variables. We 3 drain valve and place the other
recommend draining and Ň ushing the
end of the hose in a drain,
water heater aŌ er the Į rst six months
outside, or in buckets.
of operaƟ on to determine the amount
of sediment build up. Draining sedi- Turn the cold water supply
ment extends the life of the tank, heat- 4 valve OFF.
ing elements, and drain valves. Figure 27 -രAnode Rods from new (top) to
Open the drain valve on the partially depleted (middle) to fully depleted
• In areas with very hard water, 5 water heater. stage (bottom)
remove and check the heating ele-
ments whenever you drain the tank. Anode Rod. The anode rod is a sacriĮ cial
If you have heavy lime deposits on metal rod that helps reduce corrosion
heating elements, you will need to and premature failure (leaks) in the tank.
replace them more often. The anode rod is a consumable item.
Inspect the anode rod aŌ er the Į rst six
• Sediment may form large masses that months of operaƟ on when you drain and
can prevent the tank from draining. Figure 26 -രDrain Valve
Have a qualified person use a de-lim- Open a hot water faucet to Ň ush the tank. Replace the anode rod if
ing agent suitable for potable water to 6 help the water in the tank it is substanƟ ally worn out or depleted.
remove the sediment buildup. ThereaŌ er, inspect the anode rod annu-
drain faster. ally or more frequently if needed. If you MAINTENANCE
• In most cases, it is easier and cheap- use a water soŌ ener, your anode rod will
er to replace lime-encrusted ele- deplete faster than normal. Inspect the

ResidenƟ al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 21