Burner does not ignite |
| Cause |
Solution |
No gas flow
Thermostat set too low
Trash in main burner office
Trash in gas lines |
Check with
utility.
Turn temperature knob to desired temperature.
Clean orifice carefully. Find source of trash and eliminate
Notify utility. Install dir gas leg in gas lines. |
Burner flame floats, lifts off ports |
| Cause |
Solution |
High gas
pressure
Flue clogged
Heater installed in confined area
Heater not connected to flue
Excessive or cold drafts |
Check with
utility. Check control valve for correct water column
pressure.
Clean flue. Find source of trouble and correct.
Provide ventilation-using louvers in wall or duct.
Provide and connect to proper flue.
Find source of draft and correct. |
Burner flame yellow/lazy |
| Cause |
Solution |
Insufficient
secondary air
Low gas pressure
Dirt in main burner orifice
Flue clogged
Heater installed in confined area
Heater not connected to flue |
Provide
ventilation to heater.
Check with utility. Check control valve for correct water
column pressure.
Clean orifice. Find source of dirt and eliminate.
Clean flue. Find source of trouble and correct.
Provide ventilation-using louvers in wall or duct.
Provide and connect to proper flue. |
Noisy Burner Flame |
| Cause |
Solution |
High gas
pressure
Excessive draft |
Check with
utility. Check control valve for correct water column pressure
Find source of draft and correct. |
Burner flame too high |
| Cause |
Solution |
Insufficient
secondary air
High gas pressure
Heater not connect to flue |
Provide
ventilation to heater.
Check with utility. Check control column pressure
Provide and connect to proper flue. |
Tank bulged/reversed bottoms |
| Cause |
Solution |
No relief valve
Pressure-reducing valve |
Install proper
valve according to manufacturer's instructions.
Install temperature and pressure relief valve. |
High operating costs |
| Cause |
Solution |
High gas
pressure
Trash under thermostat valve
Thermostat set too high
Sediment or lime in tank
Heater too small
Wrong pipe connections
Leaky faucets
Gas leaks
Wasted hot water
Excessive or cold drafts
Return circulating lines
Long runs of exposed piping
Heater stacking |
Check with
utility. Check control valve for correct water column
pressure.
Replace control valve and install drip leg
Turn temperature knob to desired temperature.
Drain tank. Se if water treatment is necessary.
Install adequate heater.
Correct piping. Dip tube must be in cold outlet.
Repair faucets.
Check with utility; repair immediately.
Advise residents to conserve water.
Find source of draft and eliminate.
Recommend to resident changing to one-pipe system.
Insulate pipe.
Install adequate heater and relief valve. |
Smoking and carbon formation |
| Cause |
Solution |
Insufficient
secondary air
Low gas pressure
High gas pressure
Trash in main burner office
Trash under thermostat valve seat
Flue clogged
Inoperative thermostat
Heater installed in confined area
Heater not connected to flue |
Provide
ventilation to heater.
Check with utility. Check control valve for correct water
column pressure.
Check with utility. Check control valve for correct water
column pressure.
Clean orifice. Find source of trash and eliminate.
Replace control valve and install drip leg.
Clean flue. Find source of clog and correct.
Replace thermostat.
Provide ventilation-using louvers in wall or duct.
Provide and connect to proper flue. |
Pilot flame too large |
| Cause |
Solution |
High gas
pressure
Trash under thermostat valve seat
Inoperative thermostat
Excessive water pressure
.Surge from washer solenoid
Check valve in water line
Heater stacking |
Check with
utility. Check control calve for correct water column
pressure.
Change control valve and install drip leg.
Replace thermostat.
Use-pressure-reducing valve and pressure relief valve.
Install blind pipe air cushion.
Use pressure relief valve.
Install adequate heater and relief valve. |
Condensation |
| Cause |
Solution |
Trash in main
burner orifice
Trash under thermostat valve seat
Flue clogged
Heater installed in confined area
Heater not connected to flue
Undersized heater |
Clean orifice
carefully. Find source trash and eliminate.
Change control valve and install drip leg.
Clean flue. Find source of clog and eliminate.
Provide ventilation-using louvers in wall or duct.
Provide and connect to proper flue.
Check amount of hot water used, then advise resident of proper
size needed. |
Combustion odors |
| Cause |
Solution |
Insufficient
secondary air
High gas pressure
Trash in main burner orifice
Flue clogged
Heater installed in confined area
Heater not connected to flue |
Provide
ventilation to heater.
Check control valve for correct water column pressure.
Clean orifice carefully. Find source of trash and eliminate.
Clean flue. Find source of clog and eliminate.
Provide ventilation-using louvers in wall or duct.
Provide and connect to proper flue. |
Pilot flame too small |
| Cause |
Solution |
Low gas pressure
Trash in pilot burner orifice
Trash in gas lines
Pilot line clogged |
Check control
valve for correct water column pressure.
Clean orifice. Find source of trash and eliminate.
Notify utility. Install drip leg in gas line.
Clean pilot line. Find source of clog and eliminate. |
Overheated/Steaming water |
| Cause |
Solution |
High gas
pressure
Trash under thermostat valve seat
Inoperative thermostat
Improper calibration
Thermostat set too high
H | Check control
valve for correct water column pressure.
Change control valve and install drip leg.
Replace thermostat.
Replace out control valve.
Turn temperature know to lower temperature.
Install adequate heater and relief valve. |
Relief valve dripping |
| Cause |
Solution |
Improper
calibration
Thermostat set too high
Sediment or lime in tank
Excessive water pressure
Surge from washer solenoid valve
Heater stacking |
Replace control
valve.
Turn temperature knob to lower temperature
Drain tank. See if water treatment is necessary.
Use pressure-reducing valve and pressure-relief valve.
Install blind pipe air cushion
Install adequate heater and relief valve. |
Excessive relief valve operation |
| Cause |
Solution |
Improper
calibration
Thermostat set too high
Excessive water pressure
Surge from washer solenoid valve
Heater stacking |
Replace control
valve.
Turn temperature knob to lower temperature.
Use pressure-reducing valve and pressure-relief valve.
Install blind pipe air cushion.
Install adequate heater and relief valve. |
Thermostat does not close |
| Cause |
Solution |
Trash under
thermostat valve seat
Improper calibration
Inoperative thermostat
Return circulating lines |
Change control
valve and install drip leg.
Replace control valve.
Replace thermostat.
Recommend to resident changing to one-pipe system. |
Insufficient hot water |
| Cause |
Solution |
Low gas pressure
Trash in main burner orifice
Improper calibration
Thermostat se too low
Sediment or lime in tank
Heater too small
Wrong pipe connections
Leaky faucets
Wasted hot water
Cold drafts
Return circulating lines
Long runs of exposed piping |
Check control
valve for correct water column pressure.
Clean orifice carefully. Find source of trash and eliminate.
Replace control valve.
Turn temperature knob to higher temperature.
Drain tank. See if water treatment is necessary.
Install adequate heater.
Correct piping. Dip tube must be in cold water more
efficiently.
Repair faucets.
Advise resident to use hot water more efficiently.
Find source of drafts and correct.
Recommend to resident changing to one-pipe system.
Insulate pipes. |
Slow hot water recovery |
| Cause |
Solution |
Insufficient
secondary air
Low gas pressure
Trash in main burner orifice
Flue clogged
Improper calibration
Thermostat set too low
Sediment lime in tank
Heater too small
Wrong pipe connections
Wasted hot water
Excessive or cold drafts |
Provide
ventilation to heater.
Check control valve for correct water column pressure.
Clean orifice carefully. Find source of trash and eliminate.
Clean flue. Find source of clog eliminate.
Replace control valve.
Turn temperature knob to higher temperature.
Drain tank. See if water treatment is necessary.
Install adequate heater.
Correct piping. Dip tube must be in cold inlet.
Advise resident to use hot water more efficiently.
Find source of draft and eliminate. |
Burner "pops" when turned on or off |
| Cause |
Solution |
| Low gas pressure |
Check control
valve for correct water column pressure. |
Flame burn at orifice |
| Cause |
Solution |
Low gas pressure
Trash in main burner orifice
Trash under thermostat
Inoperative thermostat |
Check control
valve for correct water column pressure.
Clean orifice carefully. Find source of trash and eliminate.
Change control valve and install drip leg.
Replace thermostat |
Pilot does not remain lit |
| Cause |
Solution |
Low or high gas
pressure
Trash in pilot burner orifice
Trash in gas lines
Flue clogged
Pilot line clogged
Heater installed in confined area
Thermocouple connection loose
Defective thermocouple
Cold drafts |
Check control
valve for correct water column pressure.
Clean orifice. Find source of trash and eliminate.
Notify utility. Install drip leg in gas lines.
Clean flue. Find source of clog and eliminate.
Clean line. Find source of clog and eliminate.
Provide ventilation-using louvers in wall or duct.
Tighten with fingers, and then give ¼ inch turn with wrench.
Replace thermocouple.
Find source of drafts and correct. |
