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How to troubleshoot gas water heater
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Page 1: General troubleshoot resources
Emergency? Leave house if you smell gas.
Do not turn on light switch or touch any light switch or electrical device that might cause static spark
Turn off gas
When gas handle is perpendicular across gas line, then gas is OFF

Resources
Emergency steps for leaking water heater
Troubleshoot leaking water heater
Flooded water heater
How to light gas water heater
Not enough hot water? IF water inside tank is hot, then plumbing is suspect.
Open drain valve and check if water is hot
Resources:
Low hot water pressure
Crossover
Broken pipe or leaks running hot out of tank
Hot water connected to toilet or outdoor spigot
Mixing valve is broken
Other valves not functioning
Recirculation system needed or not functioning
IF water is not hot, then water heater is suspect.
Open drain valve and check if water is hot

Resources:
Test gas valve thermostat
Broken dip tube
Undersized water heater
Other reasons are covered on this page
Water too hot? Water too hot?
Troubleshoot gas control thermostat
Stacking
Common water heater problems Common water heater problems:
Low hot water pressure
Stacking
Crossover
Flooded water heater
Leaking water heater
Water heater sounds like its running water
General how-to
Find age of water heater
How to replace drain valve
Clean sediment out of tank and periodic flushing
Thermal expansion tank
Noisy-gas-water-heater/ pdf
Tank water heater forum
Water too cold? Open drain valve and see if tank has hot water
If water inside tank is hot, then check for water leak somewhere. Check for crossover
Crossover
If water inside tank is cold, then check for water leak somewhere. Troubleshoot thermostat
Troubleshoot gas control thermostat
New water heater? How to install gas water heater
Which is best gas water heater
Solar Heat with solar
Connect PV water heater / low voltage
Connect PV water heater / high voltage
Forum Tank forum
Prevent problems
Maintain water heater to last years beyond warranty.
How to maintain water heater
    1)  Read about odor, prevent rusting with anode rods
    2)  Read about stray current corrosion
    3)  How to flush water heater
     Clean sediment out of tank
    4) Inspect for leaks
    5)  9 ways to save with water heater
    6) Water heater safety precautions
    7) Repair water heater valves
    8) Clean burner and combustion chamber
    9) Read manual and follow maintenance schedule
Install water heater
How to install gas water heater
How to install electric water heater

Other options
Gas water heater timer
Add another thermostat to gas or electric water heater
Calculate water heater recovery for gas and electric
Cost of running gas water heater
Corrosion of parts.
Chemicals can damage burner parts
Do not expose water heater to stored chemicals, swimming pool chemicals, laundry equipment
Remove chemicals from same room as water heater.
-Chemicals corrode water heater parts and vent pipe. 'Spray propellants, cleaning solvents, refrigerants, swimming pool chemicals, calcium and sodium chloride, household bleach, waxes and process chemicals are corrosive at very low levels with no odor."
Poor venting can damage parts
When there is inadequate draw, the water vapor cools and condenses on inside wall of vent pipe. This condensation water is acidic (pH 3-5) and corrosive. It will corrode steel metals and other materials.
Improper venting causes water to drip down vent into combustion chamber of gas water heater. Parts inside combustion chamber rust. Holes develop in bottom of water heater. Inspect combustion chamber for rust and water.
Avoid corrosive atmospheres / pdf
14 things needed for gas water heater & .pdf resources
What you need for operation of gas water heater.
Next pages
1) Basic parts and operation
2) Adequate incoming air supply ... issues: closed doors, tightly insulated house, very hot attic.
3) Adequate air supply getting to burner... issues: dirty vent screen, dirty environment, maintenance.
4) Thermal cutoff  ... TCO ... issues: failed part, maintenance, vent.

5) Flammable vapor lockout .... issues: exposure to vapors, bad FV sensor, failed FV system,
6) Fuel supply to gas valve thermostat ... natural gas and propane are different ... issues: wrong gas, low pressure, moisture in pipe, undersized gas meter, supply line too small for BTU rating.
7) Gas valve thermostat regulates fuel supply ... issues: not enough gas, failed thermostat, failed gas control valve.

8) Fuel supply from thermostat to burner ... issues: maintenance, thermocouple-thermopile, gas control valve.
9) Clean and replace burner ... issue: periodic maintenance requires burner inspection, cleaning, and possible replacement

10) Functioning thermopile-thermocouple-pilot light ... issues: misalignment, failure of part.
11) Ignition of fuel supply by pilot light or hot surface igniter ... issues: pilot light, piezo igniter, electrode.

12) Power vent water heater troubleshoot ... issues: pressure switch, blower, blower sequence from gas control, outlet polarity
13) Venting combustion byproduct .... issues: vent in disrepair, other vents in house drawing air

14) Misc troubleshoot manuals
Additional links
Gas and electric water heaters Support the economy:
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50 gallon Gas water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon gas water heaters at Amazon
50 gallon Electric water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon electric water heaters at Amazon
Hybrid / heat pump/ water heaters at Amazon
Heat pump water heaters at Amazon
GE 50 gallon hybrid heat pump at Amazon
Reliance 80 gallon heat pump at Amazon
Air tap: add to existing electric water heater at Amazon

Resources:
How to install gas water heater
How to install electric water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Troubleshoot electric water heater
Point of use water heaters
Resources:
Troubleshoot Gas valves with manuals
Icon gas valve

Install and troubleshoot garbage disposal Waste King disposal
How to wire tankless electric


Install point of use water heater
Titan tankless
Anode rods anode rods
Recirculation system

Tankless recirculation
Point of use water heater
Type 1 and type 2 surge protection surge protection

Support the economy:
Buy water heaters from my associate links:

50 gallon Gas water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon gas water heaters at Amazon
50 gallon Electric water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon electric water heaters at Amazon
Hybrid / heat pump/ water heaters at Amazon

Resources:
How to install gas water heater
How to install electric water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Troubleshoot electric water heater
Point of use water heaters
Resources:
Troubleshoot Gas valves with manuals
Icon gas valve

How to replace water heater element Waste King disposal
How to wire tankless electric


Install point of use water heater
Titan tankless

Contactors/ relays
Type 1 and type 2 surge protection surge protection
Programmable timers

Woods timers
surge protection
Anode rods anode rods
Recirculation system

Tankless recirculation
Point of use water heater
Install and troubleshoot garbage disposal Waste King disposal
Buy
Electronic parts

Industrial supplies

Tools and home improvement

Home and garden

Hayward pool
Pentair pool

Southwire electric
Buy
Tools

DEWALT
Black and Decker
Stanley
SKIL
Makita
Porter-Cable
Bosch

Irwin Hand tools
Klein hand tools
Fluke electrical testing
Dremel hobby tools

Campbell Hausfeld air powered
Tekton automotive

Powerbuilt automotive
Saws and saw blades
box timers Resource:
Compare box timers
DPDT timers
Intermatic
Control water heater w/ Z-wave
Intermatic control centers Resource:
Intermatic control centers: and parts
Digital control centers and parts
Tork control centers and parts
Subpanels
All control centers and parts
Enclosures
programmable timer Resource:
Programmable timers
Countdown timers
Off delay timers
On delay timers
Timer modules
Din rail
Twin & one-shot
Woods
Intermatic
Tork
Low voltage power packs Recirculation systems
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