There are two types of gas water heaters used in Sun City. Up until about 2003, an open combustion-chamber water heater was used. Starting in 2003, the sealed combustion-chamber unit, aka Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant (FVIR), was used. The purpose of the new safety standard is to prevent the ignition of any flammable liquids spilled or stored near a water heater. In the older open-combustion chamber water heaters, the combustion air entered directly into the combustion chamber. In the FVIR water heaters, the combustion air enters the combustion chamber through special inlets at the base of the water heater or on the side of the water heater. It then passes through a finely perforated plate called a flame arrestor, which allows it to be evenly distributed to the burner, where it is mixed with the fuel gas. The mixture is ignited by a pilot device, usually a piezoelectric igniter similar to those on outdoor gas grills.
The flame arrestor creates a one-way path for flames. It creates an air flow into the combustion chamber that is higher than the flame speed of any vapors that are ignited in the combustion chamber, thus preventing any flashback.
To reduce the potential for clogging the fine perforations in the flame arrestor, FVIR water heaters are equipped with filter screens, baffled combustion air ducts, or other design elements to trap lint, dust, and oil. If an arrestor plate becomes obstructed, it can reduce or cut off the combustion air resulting in improper combustion and the production of carbon monoxide. There is a thermal cut-off device in the combustion chamber which automatically shuts off the gas supply to the burner and pilot when it senses excess temperatures that are generated when flammable vapors ignite inside the combustion chamber or when the inlet air filters become clogged.
These inlet air filters (aka air intake screens) on FVIR water heaters must be inspected at least every six months and cleaned of any dust or lint accumulations.
Whether you have the older open-combustion chamber water heater or the newer FVIR type, you should drain 1-2 gallons of water each year to remove sediment that builds up in the bottom of the water heater. If you get a lot of sediment, usually in the form of blue crystals, you should drain 1-2 gallons again in six months. To drain this water, connect a garden hose to the valve at the bottom of the water heater and direct it to a floor drain or a five-gallon bucket. Carefully open the valve and drain 1-2 gallons of water. If you have a buildup of sediment, this sediment may prevent the valve from closing completely. If the valve leaks, open and close it again to flush out any sediment that is preventing the valve from closing.
Several Woodchuck members have reported a water leak down the copper overflow pipe. This pipe is attached to the pressure-temperature relief valve and runs down the side of the water heater. While the problem could be a defective valve, it is more likely the water expansion tank mounted on the cold water inlet pipe above your water heater. This can be easily tested by tapping it with a metal object. The lower one third of the tank will give a dull thud, while the upper third will give a hollow ringing sound. If you get a dull thud all the way up, the bladder in the tank has failed and it is filled with water. This tank will need to be replaced.
Water heaters sit quietly in a utility area of your house and provide hot water whenever you turn on the faucets. If you do not perform these few simple preventative maintenance steps, you may not get hot water the next time you turn on a faucet. Water heaters generally last 10-12 years, so as yours approaches that age, check it often to be sure it is not leaking.
Several people have emailed to ask about back columns of Ask the Woodchucks. Your Sun Day Newspaper now has a website that has an archive of all back articles and columns. The website is www.mysundaynews.com. When you log on to the homepage, under columnists, click Ask the Woodchucks, and you will see a page with all the columns listed. Click on the one you want, and the whole column will be on your computer screen. You may print this column for future reference.
If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home, submit them to ask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com.
