GE GEH50DXSRGA - Manual (Page 12)

12
Care and cleaning of the water heater.
Draining the Water Heater
CAUTION:
Shut off power to the
water heater before draining water.
DANGER:
Before manually operating
the relief valve, make certain no one will be
exposed to the hot water released by the valve. The
water drained from the tank may be hot enough to
present a scald hazard and should be directed
to a suitable drain to prevent injury or damage.
Attach a garden hose to the drain valve located
at the bottom of the unit and direct that hose
to a drain. The decorative front cover must be
removed to access the valve.
In order to drain the water heater completely, turn
off the cold water supply. Open a hot water faucet
or lift the handle on the relief valve to admit air to
the tank.
Open the drain valve.
Vacation and Extended Shutdown
If the water heater is to remain idle for an extended
period of time, the power and water to the
appliance should be turned off to conserve energy
and prevent a buildup of dangerous hydrogen
gas.
The water heater and piping should be drained if
they might be subjected to freezing temperatures.
After a long shutdown period, the water heater’s
operation and controls should be checked by
qualified service personnel. Make certain the
water heater is completely filled again before
placing it in operation.
NOTE: Refer to the Hydrogen Gas Caution
in the Operating Instructions.
Routine Preventive Maintenance
DANGER:
Before manually operating
the relief valve, make certain no one will be
exposed to the danger of coming in contact with
the hot water released by the valve. The water
may be hot enough to create a scald hazard. The
water should be released into a suitable drain to
prevent injury or property damage.
NOTE: If the temperature and pressure-relief
valve on the hot water heater discharges
periodically, this may be due to thermal expansion
in a closed water system. Contact the water
supplier or your plumbing contractor on how to
correct this. Do not plug the relief valve outlet.
Properly maintained, your water heater will provide
years of dependable trouble-free service.
It is suggested that a routine preventive maintenance
program be established and followed by the user.
Temperature and Pressure-Relief Valve:
At least once a year, lift and release the lever handle
on the temperature and pressure-relief valve, located
on the back-right side of the water heater, to make
certain the valve operates freely. Allow several
gallons to flush through the discharge line to an
open drain.
Periodic Inspection:
It is further recommended that a periodic inspection
of the operating controls, heating elements and
wiring should be made by service personnel
qualified in electric appliance repair.
Most electrical appliances, even when new, make
some sound when in operation. If the hissing or
singing sound level increases excessively, the electric
heating element may require cleaning. Contact a
qualified installer or plumber for inspection.
Flushing Tank :
A water heater’s tank can act as a settling basin
for solids suspended in the water. It is therefore not
uncommon for hard water deposits to accumulate
in the bottom of the tank. To clean the tank of these
deposits, open the drain valve located under the
large decorative cover near the bottom of the unit
and drain a few quarts of water from the water
heater every month. This should be done with the
cold water supply open such that water removed
through drain valve is replaced, and water supply
flow helps to remove sediment.
Use a flat
screwdriver
to turn
valve.