20 Most Recent Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402 - Page 6 Questions & Answers

You can purchase a new drain valve at a hardware store to replace it. Turn power and water off to replace it after you drain it down. Replace drain and turn water back on and open faucets to get air out of lines before turning power back on.

The shut-off is not on the water heater.
The shut-off is usually located on cold water pipe that enters water heater.
See image of shut-off:
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Low-water-pressure-2-800.jpg

If shut-off is not located on cold pipe at water heater, then turn off water to house at water meter.

More resources:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

MAT BE ON THE THERMOSTAT INSIDE THE COVER.

You probably have a bad heating element. Probably the upper element.

Open following link for leaking water heater troubleshoot.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html

Label on side of tank has alpha-numeric serial number.
Look at 2nd and 3rd numbers in serial number.
For example C05... means water heater was made in 05 or 2005.

To measure if heater needs replacement, look for signs of water and rusting along bottom of tank.
Also listen for rumbling sound that says water heater has sediment build-up in bottom, and efficiency has dropped.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html

If this is a gas water heater, then look at color of pilot light and burner flame.
If everything burns clear blue then water heater is working fine. If flames are yellow or orange, then combustion parts need cleaning.
Pilot is not blowing out, so the conditions needed for water heater operation are good.

Time to shop for water heater is before you need one.
For example buy scratch-n-dent water heater from local box store at a discount.
Look for box store coupons for Sears, Lowes, Home Depot, Ace, etc.
All brands of water heater are good > I recommend staying away from water heaters with blowers and electronics because parts are more expensive, and these water heaters are not proven more reliable or cheaper to operate, and are more susceptible to power surge.
Water heaters with longer warranty will last longer.
For gas: Install gas water heater yourself:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html

Take a moment and rate answer:
And take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Hi,
You need a 2pole 30 amp breaker that will fit what ever style breaker panel you have....then you will need to run 10/2WG wire from the breaker to the hot water heater...

heatman101

I can't find details of this model, but I am assuming it is an electric heater.

Turn off the elecricity supply to the heater. If the sound you describe subsides almost immediately then the problem is a faulty thermostat. The sound is caused by the water overheating (the heating element is permanently on).

(If the sound does not subside quickly then you have a different problem.)

Check the wiring to the thermostat. If that is OK you will need to replace the thermostat.

Push in the red reset first. Also if the lower element is engaged in heating the upper element will not be operating. These operate alternately. Hope this helps.

You need to find and set at full its thermostat. Usually it is placed where its on light and power wire goes, open the screws and set thermostat on full position and close the screws again.

You will find two covers on the front.Behind each cover the you will find a thermostat ,there will be adail on it. It might be numbers like 120,150 or it might be letters,like A,B,C and so on.You take screw driver and turn to the right until you get the tempture you want.

Water heaters by Rheem have not changed that much over the years. the link below will give you some good information about electric water heaters in general. As water heaters age, the heating element will lose efficiency due to deposits and general build-up of minerals in the tank. Turning up the temp may not be a good idea since the problem is actually caused by a coating on the element. Also make sure that cold water is not bleeding into shower valves thru other single lever faucets. While shower is running, listen to and feel the water lines connected to sink faucets in other rooms for water transferring thru valve. You can actually hear water running at faucet while shower is on if faulty. If other vaucet valves are leaking thru, repair those first before you do anything to the water heater as that is cause of loss of hot water. Good luck.




http://www.rheem.com.au/images/pdf/owners_dom-elec_121996C_0707.pdf

Water heater can test for 120V power on elements and thermostats at all times.
That's because thermostats turn off one leg of 240Volt circuit, and not both legs.
You mentioned thermostats and elements, implying two elements and two thermostats, so your water heater is 240Volt.
240Volt breaker might be bad on one leg.
Open following links to troubleshoot
http://waterheatertimer.org/Test-electricity-to-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Yes the water heater has a dip tube.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html

Hi,
Yes, the reset probably is tripped...push in the red button hard
Then turn it on and try it...

Check out this tip..

How to replace the Thermostat and Element for Electric Hot Water Heater

heatman101

More information is needed.
You posted under electric water heater.
Are you trying to light a gas water heater?
Each water heater is different depending on gas control valve.
Instructions for each gas water heater are printed on front of water heater at gas valve.

Add a comment and describe the gas valve, describe what the instructions say, and describe what general problem you are having for possible asistance.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#troubleshoot

If it's 6 years old, you can either troubleshoot it and try to find the problem, or replace it. The tanks are only good for so long, particularly in hard water areas, so it might be worth going ahead and replacing it.

If you elect not to replace it, you'll be better off calling a plumber, since there are several hazards to doing it yourself. If you insist on doing it yourself, I'll help, but I recommend against it.

Leaking is not repairable, replace the unit, UNLESS the water is coming from an overflow or overheat circuit, in which case, lower the temp and test again.

Most gas water heater problems today can be solved with yearly maintenance that includes cleaning burner parts, clean air intake, check venting, check electrical connections, bleed gas line, and check gas pressure.
Gas water heater manuals recommend yearly maintenance by service technician.

In past years, gas water heaters required less maintenance, but they were less energy efficient and more dangerous to operate.

Sounds like you have Intellivent gas control valve thermostat.
Open following link to identify gas valve and see error codes:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Intelli-vent-gas-valve2.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-temperature-on-water-heater.html#intelli

Error light on vacation + 2 other lights = 3 possible conditions:
1) Wiring error: check outlet with circuit analyzer:
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Typical-circuit-analyzer-15.jpg
2) Pressure switch tubing not connected, air intake obstructed (clean intake), or vent exhaust obstructed (check for proper venting).
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Test-water-heater-vent-400.jpg
3) System in lockout: Low gas pressure, hot surface igniter not positioned correctly.

You can do some of this yourself.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#clean

I wouldn't think that you _NEED_ to, but it's always a good idea and an energy saver. Here is an instructional link that shows you how to do it yourself (plus one or two other people) http://www.diyhomeinsulation.com/waterheater.php