There are often a number of different causes for the same condition,
so be sure to check them all -- even after you have identified
the main reason for the problem. Some may be on the verge of
developing, while others may develop right after you have fixed
the primary cause. So play it safe...CHECK ALL CAUSES!
We recommend that you rely on an experienced
professional plumbing and heating contractor for water heater
installation and maintenance.
TO FIND SOLUTIONS, CHOOSE FROM THE LIST
OF PROBLEMS BELOW:
MOST RECENT
ARCHIVE
RETURN TO TOP
| BURNER FLAME FLOATS -- LIFTS OFF PORTS |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Excess primary air |
Adjust air shutter to reduce air supply -- if supplied |
| High gas pressure |
Check with utility |
| Flue clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Heater installed in confined space |
Provide ventilation by use of louvers in wall or door |
| Heater not connected to flue |
Provide and connect to proper flue |
| Excess draft |
Check source and correct |
| Cold drafts |
Check source and correct |
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| BURNER FLAME NOISY |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Excess primary air |
Adjust air shutter to reduce air supply -- if supplied |
| High gas pressure |
Check with utility |
| Excess draft |
Check source and correct |
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| BURNER FLAME TOO HIGH |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Insufficient primary air |
Adjust air shutter to increase air supply -- if supplied |
| Insufficient secondary air |
Provide ventilation to heater |
| High gas pressure |
Check with utility |
| Heater not connected to flue |
Provide and connect to proper flue |
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| BURNER FLAME YELLOW -- LAZY |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Insufficient primary air |
Adjust air shutter to increase air supply -- if supplied |
| Insufficient secondary air |
Provide ventilation to heater |
| Low gas pressure |
Check with utility |
| Dirt in main burner orifice |
Clean orifice -- check for source of dirt and eliminate |
| Venturi clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Flue clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Main burner line clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Heater installed in confined space |
Provide ventilation by use of louvers in wall or door |
| Heater not connected to flue |
Provide and connect to proper flue |
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| BURNER POPS WHEN TURNED ON OR OFF |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Excess primary air |
Adjust air shutter to reduce air supply -- if supplied |
| Low gas pressure |
Check with utility |
| Dirt in main burner orifice |
Clean orifice -- check for source of dirt and eliminate |
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| BURNER WILL NOT IGNITE |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Excess primary air |
Adjust air shutter to reduce air supply -- if supplied
|
| No gas |
Check with utility |
| Dirt in main burner orifice |
Clean orifice -- check for source of dirt and eliminate |
| Dirt in gas lines |
Notify utility -- install dirt trap in gas line |
| Venturi clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Pilot line clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Main burner line clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Defective thermocouple lead |
Replace with new thermocouple lead |
| Defective thermostat |
Replace |
| Defective magnetic valve |
Replace entire control |
| Thermostat set too low |
Turn temperature knob to desire temperature |
| Heater installed in confined space |
Provide ventilation by use of louvers in wall or door |
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| COMBUSTION ODORS |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Excess primary air |
Adjust air shutter to reduce air supply -- if supplied |
| Insufficient primary air |
Adjust air shutter to increase air supply -- if supplied |
| Insufficient secondary air |
Provide ventilation to heater |
| High gas pressure |
Check with utility |
| Dirt in main burner orifice |
Clean orifice -- check for source of dirt and eliminate |
| Venturi clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Flue clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Heater installed in confined space |
Provide ventilation by use of louvers in wall or door |
| Heater not connected to flue |
Provide and connect to proper flue |
RETURN TO TOP
| CONDENSATION |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Excess primary air |
Adjust air shutter to reduce air supply -- if supplied |
| Dirt in main burner orifice |
Clean orifice -- check for source of dirt and eliminate |
| Flue clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Heater installed in confined space |
Provide ventilation by use of louvers in wall or door |
| Heater not connected to flue |
Provide and connect to proper flue |
RETURN TO TOP
| DRIP FROM RELIEF VALVE |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Thermostat set too high |
Turn temperature knob to desire temperature |
| Sediment or lime in tank |
Drain-check to see if water treatment is necessary |
| Excessive water pressure |
Use Pressure reducing valve and pressure relief valve |
| Surge from automatic washer solenoid valve |
Install blind pipe air cushion |
| Heater stacking |
Install adequate heater -- install relief valve |
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| EXCESSIVE RELIEF VALVE OPERATION |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Thermostat set too high |
Turn temperature knob to desire temperature |
| Excessive water pressure |
Use Pressure reducing valve and pressure relief valve |
| Surge from automatic washer solenoid valve |
Install blind pipe air cushion |
| Heater stacking |
Install adequate heater -- install relief valve |
RETURN TO TOP
| FLAME BURNS IN VENTURI |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Excess primary air |
Adjust air shutter to reduce air supply -- if supplied |
| Low gas pressure |
Check with utility |
| Dirt in main burner orifice |
Clean orifice -- check for source of dirt and eliminate |
| Defective thermostat |
Replace |
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| HIGH OPERATING COSTS |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| High gas pressure |
Check with utility |
| Dirt in main burner orifice |
Clean orifice -- check for source of dirt and eliminate |
| Venturi clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Flue clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Thermostat set too high |
Turn temperature knob to desire temperature |
| Sediment or lime in tank |
Drain-check to see if water treatment is necessary |
| Heater too small for job |
Install adequate heater |
| Wrong piping connections |
Correct piping-dip tube must be in cold inlet |
| Leaking Faucets |
Repair faucets |
| Gas leaks |
Check with utility -- observe safety instructions |
| Excess draft |
Check source and correct |
| Cold drafts |
Check source and correct |
| Return circulating lines |
Recommend change to one pipe system |
| Long runs of exposed piping |
Insulate |
| Hot water piping in outside walls |
Insulate |
| Heater stacking |
Install adequate heater -- install relief valve |
| Dip tube in hot water outlet |
Remove and replace in cold water inlet |
RETURN TO TOP
| INSUFFICIENT HOT WATER |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Low gas pressure |
Check with utility |
| Dirt in main burner orifice |
Clean orifice -- check for source of dirt and eliminate |
| Thermostat set too low |
Turn temperature knob to desire temperature |
| Sediment or lime in tank |
Drain-check to see if water treatment is necessary |
| Heater too small for job |
Install adequate heater |
| Wrong piping connections |
Correct piping-dip tube must be in cold inlet |
| Leaking Faucets |
Repair faucets |
| Cold drafts |
Check source and correct |
| Return circulating lines |
Recommend change to one pipe system |
| Long runs of exposed piping |
Insulate |
| Hot water piping in outside walls |
Insulate |
| Dip tube in hot water outlet |
Remove and replace in cold water inlet |
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| OVERHEATED WATER -- STEAMING |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| High gas pressure |
Check with utility |
| Defective thermostat |
Replace |
| Thermostat set too high |
Turn temperature knob to desire temperature |
| Heater stacking |
Install adequate heater -- install relief valve |
RETURN TO TOP
| PILOT FLAME TOO LARGE |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| High gas pressure |
Check with utility |
RETURN TO TOP
| PILOT FLAME TOO SMALL |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Low gas pressure |
Check with utility |
| Dirt in pilot burner orifice |
Clean orifice -- check for source of dirt and eliminate |
| Dirt in gas lines |
Notify utility -- install dirt trap in gas line |
| Pilot line clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
RETURN TO TOP
| PILOT WILL NOT REMAIN LIT |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Excess primary air |
Adjust air shutter to reduce air supply -- if supplied |
| Low gas pressure |
Check with utility |
| High gas pressure |
Check with utility |
| No gas |
Check with utility |
| Dirt in pilot burner orifice |
Clean orifice -- check for source of dirt and eliminate |
| Dirt in gas lines |
Notify utility -- install dirt trap in gas line |
| Flue clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Pilot line clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Thermocouple lead connection loose |
Tighten snug with fingers, then take 1/4" turn with wrench |
| Defective thermocouple lead |
Replace with new thermocouple lead |
| Defective magnetic valve |
Replace entire control |
| Cold drafts |
Check source and correct |
RETURN TO TOP
| SLOW HOT WATER RECOVERY |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Excess primary air |
Adjust air shutter to reduce air supply -- if supplied |
| Insufficient primary air |
Adjust air shutter to increase air supply -- if supplied |
| Insufficient secondary air |
Provide ventilation to heater |
| Low gas pressure |
Check with utility |
| Dirt in main burner orifice |
Clean orifice -- check for source of dirt and eliminate |
| Venturi clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Flue clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Thermostat set too low |
Turn temperature knob to desire temperature |
| Sediment or lime in tank |
Drain-check to see if water treatment is necessary |
| Heater too small for job |
Install adequate heater |
| Wrong piping connections |
Correct piping-dip tube must be in cold inlet |
| Excess draft |
Check source and correct |
| Cold drafts |
Check source and correct |
| Dip tube in hot water outlet |
Remove and replace in cold water inlet |
RETURN TO TOP
| SMOKING OR CARBON FORMATION |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Insufficient primary air |
Adjust air shutter to increase air supply -- if supplied |
| Insufficient secondary air |
Provide ventilation to heater |
| High gas pressure |
Check with utility |
| Dirt in main burner orifice |
Clean orifice -- check for source of dirt and eliminate |
| Venturi clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Flue clogged |
Clean -- check for source of trouble and correct |
| Defective thermostat |
Replace |
| Defective magnetic valve |
Replace entire control |
| Heater installed in confined space |
Provide ventilation by use of louvers in wall or door |
| Heater not connected to flue |
Provide and connect to proper flue |
RETURN TO TOP
| THERMOSTAT FAILS TO CLOSE |
| REASON |
REMEDY |
| Defective thermostat |
Replace |
| Defective magnetic valve |
Replace entire control |
| Return circulating lines |
Recommend change to one pipe system |
|
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Laars • Niles • BWC-Canada