Water Heaters - Hot Water H-e-double hockey sticks!

:wall:
A friend has problems with his water heater.
1. There is black soot on the out side of the tank. This wipes off.
2. There is black soot in the exhaust tube.
3. The plumber he called took stuff apart, took a check from the wife and left. Parts still disassembled. After a call to the shop, someone promised they will come out tomorrow to see what they can do.

Any ideas as to what could be wrong with their water heater?

Oh, it is 4 years old and has a 6 year warranty for parts. The warranty is only good if a qualified plumber can prove it is the tank and not anything else.

Help!

DS

Sounds like the burner needs cleaned/adjusted. The soot is usually a sign of a carbonized flame. I cannot understand why the plumber would not let your friend know what was wrong and leave the heater disassembled. This makes no sense.

That might be it, but... just to clarify.

There is soot on the outside of the tank that rides about 3 feet up the outside of the tank. Is that something that could happen because of the carbonization?

He also mentioned that he has an electric ignition, not a pilot.

Appreciate the help, DS

If the air/fuel mixture is not correct, the soot will form and rise up and settle on the top of the heater and eventually clog the vent pipe. Have you ever seen an cutting torch lit and the oxygen not adjusted at first? It makes black smoke and even carbon ribbons that float in the air. Same principle.

You do not have enough combustion air. Need to provide a permament air opening to the outside or if there is a door were the water heater is, have it louvered with a better supply of air to the adjoining room.