Gas Hot Water Heater Troubleshooting from Schmeg.com

  

Gas water heaters are wonderfully simple and efficient. They very seldom need repairs, but they do need some maintenance to keep them producing all that hot water that you have taken for granted for many years. In this 4-part article, you will find a list of maintenance tasks that you can do, plus a couple of repair techniques in the event the gas water heater develops problems.

Water heaters can gobble up a lot of energy, so they should be properly set to conserve gas. The right setting is 140 degrees, if you have a dishwasher and washing machine. If you don't own these two appliances, turn the setting on the thermostat at the bottom of the heater to 110 degrees. This setting heats the water to the right degree for average bathroom, kitchen, and laundry needs.

If the water heater springs a leak in its tank, immediately turn off the water and power and replace the water heater with a new one. It doesn't pay to attempt to repair a leaking hot water tank. If you buy a new heater of about the same physical size, the replacement is little more than a take-the-old-heater-out and install the new heater in its place. All the fittings (or most of them) will be the same. Be sure to empty the tank first, however. Water is heavy.

A WATER HEATER MUST BE LEVEL-
To function properly, the heater must be sitting level on the floor. Check the level of the appliance every three to four years. Floors can go out of level with time-a normal condition-causing the heater to tip. To set the heater straight, put the level on top of t he heater. Drive wooden shingle shims under t he base of the heater until the heater is level again. Cedar shingles work best because water and dampness will not cause the wood to rot.

IF HOT WATER IS DISCOLORED-
Sediment probably is to blame. Try this:

Open the valve near the bottom of the heater. You may need pliers to turn the handle, but don't force it.

Catch about two or three gallons of water in a bucket. Then close the valve. This procedure removes sediment from the bottom of the heater tank.

If the water heater is new, drain the heater about every two months. If the water heater is an old one, it's best not to drain it. Draining can cause leaking that you might not be able to stop.

THE WATER WON'T HEAT-
First check the gas line and make sure that the pilot light is burning. If the pilot light is not burning, relight it according to the directions on a metal tag usually fastened to the front of the heater tank. No tag? Then follow these relighting instructions:

1)Turn the gas lever or handle to the setting marked "Pilot." It will be marked on the control.
2) Press down on the reset button, also on the control panel. It should be marked, or it will have a red-colored cap. Hold this button down.
3) Reach into the opening and hold the match to the thermocouple pilot. You may need to keep the pilot light button depressed for up to a minute until the thermocouple warms and keeps the pilot lit.

Be careful with the match so as not to burn your fingers. If the pilot will not light or stay lit you may need to replace the thermocouple (see section on "Changing A Thermocouple").

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