Water heater’s flue terminal shows signs of soot or black staining
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Sooting indicates unsafe combustion. Turn off the heater and gas supply and do not operate until checked.
User-level checks:
- Check for obstructions: Ensure the flue terminal is not blocked by debris.
When to call a professional: Combustion analysis, burner cleaning, and gas adjustments must be performed by a certified gas technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
We may earn a commission from links on this page.