Whirlpool 188412 User Manual
12
Draining and Flushing
It is recommended that the tank be drained and flushed
every 6 months to remove sediment which may buildup
during operation. To drain the tank perform the following
steps:
every 6 months to remove sediment which may buildup
during operation. To drain the tank perform the following
steps:
1.
Turn off the power to water heater.
2.
Close the cold water inlet valve and open a nearby
hot water faucet.
hot water faucet.
3.
Connect a hose to the drain valve and terminate it
to an adequate drain.
to an adequate drain.
Important: Drain hose should be rated for at least
200°F. If the drain hose does not have this rating, open
the cold water inlet valve and open a nearby hot water
faucet until water is no longer hot.
200°F. If the drain hose does not have this rating, open
the cold water inlet valve and open a nearby hot water
faucet until water is no longer hot.
4.
Open the water heater drain valve and allow all the
water to drain from the tank. Flush the tank with
water as needed to remove sediment.
water to drain from the tank. Flush the tank with
water as needed to remove sediment.
5.
Close the drain valve and refill the tank
6.
Restart the water heater as directed under
“Operating Your Water Heater.” If the water heater
is going to be shut down for an extended period,
the drain valve should be left open.
“Operating Your Water Heater.” If the water heater
is going to be shut down for an extended period,
the drain valve should be left open.
1.
Turn off the power to the water heater.
2.
Shut off the water supply and open a nearby hot
water faucet to depressurize the water tank.
water faucet to depressurize the water tank.
3.
Drain approximately 5 gallons of water from the
tank. (Refer to “Draining and Flushing” for proper
procedures.) Close drain valve.
tank. (Refer to “Draining and Flushing” for proper
procedures.) Close drain valve.
4.
Remove old anode rod.
®
5.
Use Teflon tape or approved pipe sealant on
threads and install new anode rod.
threads and install new anode rod.
6.
Turn on water supply and open nearby hot water
faucet to purge air from water system.
faucet to purge air from water system.
7.
Restart the water heater as directed under
“Operating Your Water Heater.” See the “Repair
Parts Illustration" for anode rod location on
page 15.
“Operating Your Water Heater.” See the “Repair
Parts Illustration" for anode rod location on
page 15.
until water
flows from the open hot water faucet. Allow water to
run for a couple of minutes to make sure all air is
out of tank.
run for a couple of minutes to make sure all air is
out of tank.
Replacing the Anode Rod
Temperature and Pressure
Relief Valve
Relief Valve
Manually operate the temperature and pressure relief
valve at least once a year to make sure it is working
properly. To prevent water
damage, the valve must
be properly connected to
a discharge line which
terminates at an
adequate drain.
valve at least once a year to make sure it is working
properly. To prevent water
damage, the valve must
be properly connected to
a discharge line which
terminates at an
adequate drain.
Standing clear of the
outlet (discharged water
may be hot), slowly lift
and release the lever
handle on the
temperature and pressure relief valve to allow the
valve to operate freely and return to its closed position.
If the valve fails to completely reset and continues to
release water, immediately shut off the electrical power
and the cold water inlet valve and call a qualified
service technician.
outlet (discharged water
may be hot), slowly lift
and release the lever
handle on the
temperature and pressure relief valve to allow the
valve to operate freely and return to its closed position.
If the valve fails to completely reset and continues to
release water, immediately shut off the electrical power
and the cold water inlet valve and call a qualified
service technician.
Temperature and Pressure
Relief Valve
Relief Valve
Figure 8
Manual Relief
Lever
Lever
Discharge line to drain
Explosion Hazard
If the temperature and pressure relief
valve is dripping or leaking, have a
qualified service technician replace it.
valve is dripping or leaking, have a
qualified service technician replace it.
• Do not plug valve.
• Do not remove valve.
• Do not remove valve.
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in death or explosion.
result in death or explosion.
WARNING
If you lack the necessary skills required to properly service this water heater or you have difficulty following the
instructions, you should not proceed but have a qualified person perform the maintenance of this water heater.
instructions, you should not proceed but have a qualified person perform the maintenance of this water heater.