Why a double-circuit boiler does not heat water. We solve the main problem of gas boilers with hot water. The gas boiler does not turn on, does not provide hot water for domestic hot water

If gas boiler does not heat water for hygienic or general technical needs, the problem can be solved by heating the required amount of liquid in a saucepan. Much more problems will arise in winter when the heating system is blocked. With a long absence of hosts, freezing of the system is possible. The subsequent restoration of its performance is associated with significant financial and time costs. To eliminate such negative situations, it is necessary to select and apply a set of effective preventive measures.

Design features of the gas boiler Baksi (baxi), Navien, Ariston

In any case, familiarization with the technique of this class and the features of modern models is useful. This knowledge will help to choose the right equipment, not to make mistakes during operation.

In household boilers Baxi (baxi), Navien and Ariston, gas, diesel and solid fuels are burned to heat water, electric heating elements are used. For a more complete use of the potential of energy resources, heat exchangers are being improved. They make long ducts of complex shape to ensure that the liquid remains in the working area for a long time.

Compactness is the current trend. Manufacturers offer gas boilers with square bodies of relatively small thickness. Some models, due to their aesthetic characteristics, deserve to be placed in a conspicuous place.

The next feature is the introduction of automated control systems. They control the combustion process, change operating modes, taking into account the readings of temperature sensors on the street and in separate rooms. When overheating, the equipment turns off without user intervention.

It is necessary to carefully consider situations when the Baksi gas boiler does not heat water. This happens, for example, when the supply of energy resources is interrupted. It is not difficult to make an appropriate check even without special professional training.

Circulation pumps, valves, other typical components and assemblies rarely fail. Their designs are designed for many years of operation without mandatory maintenance. There are no moving parts in electronic circuits. Their breakdowns are due to marriage. Subject to the rules established by the manufacturer, the resource of modern gas heating boilers is more than 10 years.

Voltage surges in the power supply network can damage the electrical part of the equipment. To exclude such influences, an external stabilizer is installed. Checking the grounding system will come in handy. This completes the set of preventive measures for this group of problems.

It is much more difficult to provide protection against the most common cause of breakdowns in gas boilers - scale. It is she who will be studied in detail in this article. When heated, calcium and magnesium salts are converted to a solid state. It is these impurities that clog narrow technological holes in heat exchangers. They also form a porous structure on the surface of electric heating elements. With a significant violation of the normal heat dissipation, their cases are damaged.

To prevent the formation of scale and lime inside the boiler, it is advisable to install non-chemical filters (water converters), magnetic and electromagnetic, which will ensure a long "life" for your boiler and an uninterrupted supply of hot water, as well as protect the heating circuit.

Such filters (scale converters) as AquaShield or MWS do not use chemical reagents and replaceable cartridges in their work. Once you install such a device in front of the boiler, you will forget about the scale problem for many years!

Troubleshooting: why does a gas boiler not heat hot water well?

If the gas boiler does not heat hot water well due to clogging or rupture of the tube in the heat exchanger, repairs are necessary. It is performed by replacing a failed node. Threaded connections are not used in this case, so it will be difficult to independently disassemble and subsequent installation. To create a high-quality soldering connection, it is better to invite an experienced craftsman. A qualified specialist will provide the necessary level of quality, provide written guarantees.

Knowing about the problem in advance is not easy. The scale layer grows slowly, so it will not be possible to register a clear decrease in power. Extraneous noise can be caused by the passage of sand and other mechanical impurities through the pipes. Technological openings are too small for visual inspection. For its implementation, dismantling is required.

This information explains why these types of emergencies occur unexpectedly. To prevent their development into a more complex problem, it is possible to equip boiler equipment with a modern remote control system. Some manufacturers offer ready-made solutions in the form of an additional electronic unit and specialized software.

The corresponding application is downloaded to the smartphone. The advantage is the ability to remotely change settings, check the readings of temperature sensors. If the Navien gas boiler does not heat hot water due to scale, replacing the heat exchanger is not enough. These same contaminants reduce the inner diameter of the pipes, narrow the ducts in the radiators. A complete system cleanup is required.

This procedure is performed according to the following method:

Drain water into drain.
Rinse all circuits sequentially, or simultaneously with a special solution.
It is also used to clean the heat exchanger, if it is only clogged and can be further operated.
After assembly, the performance of the system is checked under pressure.
Eliminate identified defects (cracks, loose connections).

Aggressive chemical compounds are used to remove calcium solutions. The duration of a standard procedure for one household object is several hours. Appropriate corrections are made taking into account the real state of the system. Strong acids can damage metal parts, solder joints of the Ariston double-circuit boiler. For this reason, experienced teams take repair tools to fulfill orders.

Independent implementation of such procedures is possible. But for many ordinary users, it is not advisable for several reasons:

You have to purchase expensive equipment for pumping liquids that will be used.
Independent selection of the optimal composition of the solution will cause difficulties.
During this procedure, there are no mechanisms for operational control of processes within the pipeline system. This increases the likelihood of breakdowns.
In case of personal performance of operations, an official warranty obligation of a third-party contractor will not be received. All future problems will have to be solved at your own expense.

In addition, it should be noted that careless handling of aggressive chemical compounds can cause harm to health.

Preventive actions

Specialists of enterprises offering flushing recommend doing it every heating season. It is combined with a general inspection of the equipment. The frequency is adjusted taking into account the level of rigidity, the intensity of operation of gas double-circuit boilers Baxi (baxi), and other significant factors.

These tips are really helpful. Regular cleaning will prevent more complex procedures. Simultaneous checking will help to identify problems at an early stage. However, it is necessary to emphasize the main drawback of this technology - it can damage the equipment itself. It is especially unpleasant if defects appear during the heating season. It will be quite difficult to prove the guilt of the workers who did the cleaning.

Instead of using potentially dangerous techniques, effective protective measures are used. They are based on modern water treatment technologies.

So that scale does not form in the Navien or Ariston heating boiler, they are installed in front of it. They dissolve during the passage of a stream of water, create dense shells around microscopic scale particles (at the first stages of growth). After such a "modification" harmful impurities are not able to join the walls and each other. They pass freely along the contour, are removed into the sewer.

The second method is the replacement of harmful compounds with sodium ions. This procedure is carried out using special resins. They fall asleep in two large containers that work alternately. As contaminants accumulate, flushing is performed using an inexpensive saline regeneration solution. Such equipment is used for general protection of apartments, cottages, and other real estate objects.

The next reason why a gas boiler does not heat hot water and its solution is a protective technology that has appeared recently, although it has been known for over a hundred years. The fact is that previously only permanent magnets were used for descaling. They lose their useful properties over time. Moreover, the effect of "addiction" was experimentally found, when calcium and sodium compounds cease to respond to the corresponding influences.

Today, the technique has been improved! Today, electromagnetic converters with high-frequency oscillation generators are used. With minimal energy consumption (5-20 W per hour), they operate at a distance of up to 2 km along the length of the pipeline from the installation site of the Baksi or Proterm heating boiler. This technique retains its initial efficiency throughout its entire service life.

Ultrasound can grind scale particles, eliminate old formations. But this technology is rarely used. Like acids, it can destroy the structural components of the water supply system. It should also be noted the probability of occurrence of harmonic oscillations in the sound range.

Membrane technologies provide a high level of purification from various impurities, including hardness salts. But standard household installations process no more than 200 liters. liquids per day. This is not enough for the needs of the Vailant heating boiler and hot water supply.

Features of different boiler cleaning technologies and conclusions

If the gas boiler has stopped heating water, you have to repair it. To extend the life of the Buderus or Ferroli heating boiler and prevent accidents, different methods are used. To choose the right option, you need to pay attention to the following details:

Rinsing with aggressive chemical compounds does not eliminate the problem, but eliminates the scale that has already formed.
Polyphosphates pollute water, so this protection is used only for the heating circuit.
Sodium compounds are harmless (this is ordinary, well-purified edible salt). However, after appropriate treatment, the water will acquire a pronounced taste.
Ion-exchange fillers are sensitive to temperature, humidity, various impurities. It is necessary to clarify the requirements that are set out in the official instructions of the manufacturer of the Navien double-circuit boiler.
To connect electromagnetic transducers, you need a current source of appropriate power. To ensure its continuous operation in difficult conditions, autonomous emergency power circuits are used.

When determining the reason why the Navien gas boiler does not heat or does not heat hot water well, these are 3 protection methods that must be taken into account: water hardness, architectural characteristics of the property.

Constructive and modification solutions of modern gas boilers are aimed at uninterrupted and efficient operation. Ariston boilers, popular in Russia, are no exception. But sometimes failures occur when the unit ceases to properly perform its main function - heating water to provide hot water and space heating. To understand what is the cause of the malfunction, why the Ariston boiler does not heat hot water, you need to understand how the system works.

Read in the article

Work principles

Gas boilers, as a rule, have two circuits - heating and water heating. Double-circuit devices are a combination of several blocks responsible for a certain functionality of the system. So, the gas block is responsible for the ignition and combustion of the burner, which allows the heat-conducting liquid to warm up, water is supplied in the water unit and the necessary pressure is provided in the line, the chimney unit releases combustion products into the environment, the control unit controls the operation of all boiler systems.

When the unit is started using a pump, water is pumped into the system, passing through the pipes of the heat exchanger. As soon as the liquid has entered the water unit, the gas supply valve opens and the burner is ignited. The process of heating the body of the heat exchanger occurs evenly and is controlled by temperature sensors.

Important! Heating cycles are controlled by sensors. When the water temperature drops to a certain temperature, it is the sensors that transmit an impulse to the control module to resume heating.

When hot water enters the faucet, a flow sensor is connected. A signal is sent from it to the board, after which the three-way valve is activated and switches to heating the water supply.

The main problems why the boiler does not heat water

More often, malfunctions at the boiler are detected during the heating season, when both circuits of the device are working. There are two main problems faced by owners of wall-mounted gas boilers such as Ariston:

all boiler systems work, the device turns on, but heats the water weakly or does not heat at all;
the boiler does not start, and, as a result, there is no hot water supply.

Each of these problems has its own causes and solutions. To troubleshoot, you need to figure out what caused and caused them.

Before finding out the causes of a malfunction of the unit, you should look into the instruction manual, read the instructions and check the correct settings and connection of the device.

Note! Modern gas boilers are equipped with a diagnostic system that detects malfunctions and displays an error code on the display. The instructions for the unit will help decipher the codes.

If all requirements and conditions are met, the most common causes of malfunctions should be considered:

blockage. Experts say that the use of unfiltered working fluid increases the risk of clogging of the heat exchanger tubes. The resulting scale reduces its thermal conductivity, which makes the unit work with an excessive consumption of energy. In this case, the optimum temperature regime is not achieved even with continuous operation of the device. Due to the limescale deposited inside the pipes of the heat exchanger, the metal undergoes corrosive changes, which can lead to its rupture.
Faulty pump. The circulation of the coolant can be stopped due to the accumulation of air, the so-called air plug in the pump. The second cause of a pump failure may be a rotor that is jammed. A circulation pump that has ceased to function can lead to overheating of the gas boiler.
The flow sensor is stuck. Inside the boiler is a sensor in the form of a turbine, resembling a small fan. When the turbine rotates inside the sensor, an electrical impulse is generated due to the fluid current, which is fed to the control unit. Thus, the electrical system understands that it is necessary to warm up the coolant.
Stuck three-way valve. Such a malfunction will not allow switching the water supply from heating to DHW. A valve stopper can occur due to blockage, both of the part itself and of the gas hose or filter.
Insufficient pressure. If the volume of liquid in the system does not create the desired pressure, the water supply valve does not open, which leads to burner ignition failure.

Possible nuances

Today on the market there are many gas wall-mounted boilers from various manufacturers. The principle of operation of the units for all models is essentially the same, but each brand has its own nuances that may be related to the causes of malfunctions and, as a result, poor water heating.

"Ariston" is an Italian brand that is distinguished by reliability. Brand boilers are adapted to domestic utilities and operating conditions. The most common cause of malfunctions is hard water, which contributes to the formation of blockages in the heat exchanger and circulation pump.
"Navien" - Korean autonomous gas boilers. They are easy to operate and efficient. A feature of the modification is the presence of two heat exchangers and the absence of a control panel on the body. The reason why the Navien boiler does not heat hot water well can be a stoppage of the equipment. This is due to the air pressure sensor, which, in the presence of reverse draft in the chimney unit, sends a signal to the control board, due to which the gas supply valve to the burner closes.
"Wailant". German quality is fully reflected in the units under this brand. Since the device is of European origin, its heat exchangers most often suffer, which become clogged due to inadequate quality of the conductive heat fluid.
Baksi is another representative of Italian manufacturers of autonomous heating equipment. He has simple and reliable boilers. The main reason why Baksi does not heat water, as noted by specialists in the maintenance of such units, is a factory defect, which is sometimes found in the model line of this company.
Arderia is a South Korean manufacturer. He provided a certain algorithm for controlling heating equipment. Incorrect settings may be the answer to the question of why the boiler stopped heating water.
Proterm is a subsidiary of the German company Vaillent. When operating these boilers, it is necessary to monitor the quality of the heat-conducting fluid, use cleaning filters to prevent clogging of the heat exchanger.
"Buderus" is another "German" in the domestic market of autonomous heating equipment, which has proven itself on the positive side. Like all Europeans, malfunctions can be caused by the formation of limescale inside the heat exchange system, as well as clogging of the working fluid flow sensor.

Possible Solutions

When the reason why the boiler does not heat water is known, you can try to eliminate it yourself. Manufacturers often make mechanical assemblies available for self-service.

Important! When troubleshooting on your own, you must disconnect the unit from the power supply before starting work and free the internal components from the coolant

If the heat exchanger is clogged, you can clean it with special liquids, or by using proven home remedies for descaling. In the future, it is better to use filtering devices at the inlet of the coolant to the boiler.
If the cause is a faulty pump, you should disassemble it and inspect the rotor. If foreign particles are found that block free movement, it is necessary to remove them. The filter should also be inspected for clogging.
When the water flow sensor became the cause of the malfunction, it is necessary to remove the part from it, inside which the turbine is located. If, when you turn your finger, it starts to click or slow down in the direction of travel, this means that there are foreign particles in the case. You should try to flush the turbine and clean each of its blades with a cotton swab dipped in cleaning fluid.
The three-way valve, if it caused the boiler to malfunction, must also be cleaned, and at the same time the gas hose and filter must be checked.
Under reduced pressure, check all fittings and valves on the device, the pressure with which water flows from the mixer. If there are no leaks, and the pressure is weak or absent, then simply replenishing the water in the expansion tank will help solve the problem.

One of the main tips is to follow the operating rules and follow the recommendations of manufacturers. It is important to remember that prevention is always more profitable and better than repair. Timely maintenance, checking the main components of the system will extend the life of an autonomous heater.

Vaillant boilers are particularly reliable and safe. Breakdowns of such complex equipment must be eliminated by the master. But, minor malfunctions can be removed on your own if you have a basic level of knowledge about the design of heating and heating boilers.

Most faults are indicated on the boiler display. Having a decoding of errors, you can figure out what is the reason for the boiler's failure to heat water. Where to start the search if the heating of water in the Vailant boiler does not work, and the indicator does not show an error, or can it be interpreted in different ways?

Vaillant boiler does not heat hot water due to blockages

This is one of the most common problems. Most often, the reason is the low quality of water - scale appears, nodes, filters and pipes become clogged.

If the flame does not light up in the boiler, start the test with the flow sensor. Finding this cylindrical fixture is quite simple. The flow sensor is located near the pump, it is to it that the wires fit. Two sensors are installed near the pump:

Pressure sensor in the heating system.
flow sensor.

The flow sensor looks like a small fan, it starts to rotate from the movement of water through the pipes. If the flow sensor detects the movement of water, a signal is sent to the automation about the need to turn on the gas and heat the water. If the flow sensor is clogged, water will flow but the fan will not move. Accordingly, the signal to turn on the heating is not received. There are two ways to solve the problem:

Do not rush to disassemble the boiler and try to "purge" the system first. Turn off the main water supply at home. Open the hot water faucet and let the water out of the system. Now the percentage of air in the pipes has increased. Start abruptly opening and closing the water tap directly in front of the boiler. These simple manipulations will help create pressure and clean the flow sensor fan from debris.
If "purging" does not solve the problem, it is necessary to open the boiler, unscrew the flow sensor and clean it manually.

If the Vailant boiler does not heat hot water, the secondary heat exchanger should be checked. It also tends to get dirty quickly. But, fortunately, it is easy to remove, clean and install back.

A clogged three-way valve can also cause the boiler to fail to heat water. And you can remove this node yourself, clean it and install it back.

Having bought a Vaillant boiler, be sure to check with the seller information about the places where the filters are installed. You can clean and change these components yourself.

Faulty pump

The heating of water in the Vailant boiler largely depends on the operation of the pump. To repair or replace this unit, you must call a specialist. But, you can independently check whether it is the reason for the boiler's failure to work.

Set the water temperature on the boiler to 0 °C and turn on the water heating mode. At this time, monitor the operation of the pump. If after 20 minutes of operation it does not heat up, then the problem lies in the pump.

The reason for the failure of the boiler to heat water may also lie in the elementary unscrewing of the bolts in the connection areas. Look carefully at the boiler diagram and check that all connections are tight. Perhaps a simple tightening of the bolts will solve your problem.

Reading time: 2 min

Gas boilers are designed to create comfortable living conditions. Double-circuit units provide the living space with heat and hot water in the tap. But it happens that a working boiler heats water poorly and does not provide the necessary comfort.

The degree of efficiency of the entire heating system depends on how the boiler works. If there are malfunctions in the gas boiler itself, then this can adversely affect the efficiency of the entire system and cause excessive consumption of energy resources.

What happens when the boiler stops heating water? Let's analyze the causes and ways to solve this problem.

How does a boiler work?

For a clearer understanding of the situation, you need to understand the principle of operation of the boiler. Double-circuit gas wall-mounted boilers such as Baksi or Ariston consist of several components. In the gas part, the incoming fuel is burned, the water part provides the supply of heated water from the heat exchangers to the heating system, the smoke removal part is responsible for the removal of combustion products outside the dwelling.

After the boiler is started, the pump is turned on, providing the necessary water level in the system and the gas supply valve opens. The coolant moves in the heat exchanger, which is heated by the flame of the burner. The thermostat monitors the temperature in the room, temperature sensors monitor the readings on the supply and return pipelines. Also, indicators of fuel pressure, coolant in the circuits, the presence of traction and combustion are taken.

Depending on the user's settings, temperature sensors adjust the water heating mode. The sensor on the return pipe turns off the boiler, depending on the achievement of the required temperature set for the return. However, the system pump does not stop running until the heat exchanger temperature drops.

This is to prevent the water from boiling in it. As soon as the coolant cools down to the limit level, the electronics will send a signal to turn on the water pumping and the gas valve. The whole process will start over.
When a tap is opened in the mixer in a double-circuit boiler, a flow sensor reacts, which tells the electronics to switch the three-way valve to the hot water heating mode.

Turning off the hot water tap switches back to heating mode. Some manufacturers provide for the heating of both heat exchangers during periodic switching.

The boiler does not heat water for heating

So, let's consider the main reasons why a gas boiler does not heat water for a heating system and what to do about it:

airlock. It is necessary to examine the heating system for the presence of air in the radiators. To eliminate this problem, you need to install an air vent. The principle of its operation is similar to the operation of an expansion tank, but it is able to maintain pressure in the system. Use an air vent to bleed air from the system. It is important to inspect the valve itself for mechanical blockage - scale may be present there;
corrosion in radiators. You can determine the blockage of heating devices by draining water from the system. If the water flowed dirty, then it is necessary until visually clean water appears;
connection errors. Hot water may not flow if the diameter of the pipes is not the same as provided for by the project or instructions. It is necessary to check the compliance of the pipeline, the correct connection and the quality of the installation of valves;
insufficient network pressure. You should try to add water to the heating system, as there may not be enough pressure to trigger the automatic ignition of the burner;
the presence of scale in the heat exchanger. The first sign is the prolonged heating of the coolant and the heating of the batteries. It is necessary to get rid of deposits and carry out boiler water treatment. To do this, you need to disassemble the boiler, and dismantle the heat exchanger assembly.

Before this, you need to shut off the flow of gas and water to the device. Then, flexible connectors from the pump are connected to the heat exchanger and it is washed with a composition with a special cleaning agent, which can be purchased commercially. After that, the parts are washed with water.

It is important to understand that the addition of chemicals to the coolant prevents and reduces the appearance of deposits on parts. But before using the reagents, you need to read the instructions for the boiler, since some manufacturers, such as Ariston, Electrolux, Buderus, Navien or Arderia, do not provide for the use of chemical additives in the coolant. In this case, you can use water purification filters or distilled water.

Some manufacturers allow the use of antifreeze instead of water in the heating system. This substance can be used in the following boilers: Baxi, Vaillant, Proterm, Beretta, Korea Star. However, it should be understood that each manufacturer recommends using their own antifreeze;

filter clogging. If the filter screens are clogged with mechanical debris, the radiators can also warm up poorly. Therefore, the filter should be regularly checked and cleaned by rinsing with water. If clogging occurs too often, then such a part must be replaced;
wrong setting. First of all, with little or no heating, it is necessary to check the settings of the control unit. Insufficient temperature may be set and the gas does not heat the water;
malfunctions of pumping equipment. If the pump power is not enough to ensure good circulation, then it may turn off when it overheats. This can happen when the DHW circuit is turned on;
improperly selected heating devices. If radiators with inappropriate heat transfer parameters and design are installed in the system, this can also lead to weak heating;
incorrect slope of pipelines. Most often this problem occurs in systems with natural circulation. Regulatory documentation specifies that the slope of the pipes should be from 10 mm per meter of pipe. In case of non-compliance with these requirements, circulation may be disturbed and, as a result, there will be no heating due to the low coolant flow.

The boiler does not heat hot water

In addition to the lack of heating of the heating system, it happens that the gas boiler does not heat the hot water circuit.

The most common cause of this negative phenomenon is the critical formation of scale in the heat exchanger.

After all, the scale has a structure that limits the passage of the coolant, as well as taking away its heat. This is due to the thermal conductivity of salt deposits - it is much lower than the thermal conductivity of the metal from which the heat exchanger is made. Therefore, the boiler does not heat hot water well.

It is also possible that a piece has moved away from the salt deposit, blocking the flow completely, which leads to a complete cessation of the supply of hot water.

The next reason that the boiler does not heat water is the malfunction of the flow sensor.

Structurally, the sensor is a bladed device through which water flows, which is a condition for its operation, because it sends a signal about the presence of a flow to the electronics, which, in turn, starts heating the water again. It happens that the sensor is clogged, but it can be cleared of blockage without removing it.

The device has the shape of a cylinder and is located near the circulation pump. To start cleaning, open and close the tap near the sensor. In case this does not help, then it should be unfastened and removed, manually cleaned and replaced. If this does not help, then the sensor is most likely defective and needs to be replaced.

The reason for the lack of water in the DHW circuit may be a faulty three-way valve.

It is designed to shut off the heating system when the hot water tap on the mixer is opened. If the valve does not work, the boiler does not switch to DHW heating from heating water to heating. The first reason for its failure may be a blockage of corrosion products, which must be disposed of.

If this does not help, then the valve should be replaced. It is also possible that the hose system and filter are contaminated. This problem is barely noticeable on the heating circuit, and on the hot water circuit it will be more noticeable. These items need to be cleaned.

Water heaters are used as the main or additional source of hot water in apartments and country houses. A complex device can fail for various reasons, breakdowns cause a lot of domestic inconvenience and require urgent elimination. Let us consider in more detail why cold water does not enter the water heater, for what reason the pressure may decrease, and why there are difficulties with heating.

water heater

Why is the water heater not working?

First of all, you need to deal with the cause of the problem. Most often, owners of water heating equipment are faced with the following malfunctions:

The water pressure at the outlet of the water heating equipment decreases.
The boiler draws water and heats it, but there is no water at the outlet.
Water does not enter the tank of the water heater.

The boiler is a complex system consisting of many pipes of various diameters, filters, valves and valves. Failure of any node can lead to malfunction of the entire system.

Boiler design

Here are the main causes of failures:

Deposition on the walls of pipes, parts of valves or valves of insoluble carbonate salts (scale).
The ingress of rust particles.
Blocking the flow of water with an air bubble.
Valve or valve failure (jamming of parts).

First of all, you need to find the problem node. To do this, sequentially disconnect the parts from the inlet and see after which node the water will stop flowing into the system. When the problem area is found, you can begin to repair.

Important! Any actions associated with opening the body of the water heater lead to the loss of the right to warranty service. Start work only if the warranty has expired. Otherwise, it is advisable not to violate the warranty rules, but to contact the service center.

Trouble-shooting

Having found a problem node, you need to start restoring the boiler's performance. The procedure depends on the specific reason that prevents the device from working normally. Let's consider the most common situations.

Scale clogging

Clogged water heater

Scale is deposits of insoluble carbonate salts on the walls of appliances for heating water. It is found in kettles, washing machines, water heaters.

The amount of scale depends on the hardness of the water. In regions with hard water, even for a year of operation of the boiler, the amount of salts deposited on the walls may be enough to completely block the lumen of the heating element tubes or significantly narrow it.

If the scale has caused the failure of the water heater, it is necessary to carry out repairs in the following order:

Open and remove the protective cover from the water heater.
Unscrew the nuts holding the heating element in place and remove it.

Dismantling the heating element

Wash the boiler walls and the heating element coil from carbonate deposits. Organic acid - lemon or oxalic - will help dissolve the hard crust. You can also use industrial products - antiscale. Soak the part in an acidic solution to free it from accumulated deposits.

Cleaning the heating element from scale

Using a tester, make sure that the heating element coil has not burned out due to a violation of heat removal by scale.
If the spiral is intact, assemble the device in the reverse order of dismantling.

If the heating element is out of order, you will have to look for a new one or buy a new boiler - you need to choose the most economical solution. If repairs require large financial costs, it is more profitable to immediately purchase new equipment.

Failure of the pressure reducer

The pressure drops of the incoming water in the system can be from 2.5 to 7 atm. To compensate for surges at the inlet to the boiler, a special unit is installed - a gearbox. Its task is to ensure equal pressure at the outlet of the boiler and from the tap. If it fell due to the failure of the gearbox, it is necessary to adjust its operation or replace the broken part.

Low pressure in the main water supply also leads to a drop in pressure at the outlet of the water heater or instantaneous water heater. Unscrew the hose and check the pressure level: if water comes from the main water supply in a thin stream or does not flow at all, it is worth waiting, as the problem may arise due to repair work. If the pressure has not recovered within a few hours, you should contact the Vodokanal.

Thermostat failure

If the water leaving the boiler does not heat up enough or does not heat up at all, the cause may be the failure of the thermostat - it is he who is responsible for maintaining a constantly high temperature. To diagnose, turn off the power to the boiler and remove the thermostat from the housing.

Press the thermostat button.
Heat up the copper tip of the thermostat. If the node is healthy, the button should be disabled.
Ring the thermostat circuits with a tester.

Typically, a thermostat malfunction is caused by an overheat protection trip. As a result of the operations performed, the device should start working, and the problems will disappear after it is installed in place. If the tester shows an open circuit, you will have to replace the burned-out thermostat.

Clogged mixer

If water comes out of the boiler with sufficient pressure, and it runs slowly from the tap, the reason lies in the clogging of the mixer with scale or rust. You will need to turn off the water, disassemble the mixers and thoroughly clean the filter mesh. You also need to inspect all sealing gum and make sure that the crane boxes are working properly.

If water does not enter the boiler

If the reasons described are eliminated, there is water pressure, but the boiler still cannot be filled, the cause may be an incorrect connection (the inlet and outlet pipes are mixed up) or a clogged mesh filter pad. Troubleshooting these problems is easy: unscrew the hoses, rinse the filter and assemble everything back in the correct order.

Scheme of operation of the water heater

Another cause of failure is a broken check valve. It is installed at the inlet to the storage tank and does not allow water to return to the water supply. It can also release excess pressure when overheated. Over time, the valve spring becomes clogged with scale and rust particles, as a result, the valve jams. Disassembly and thorough cleaning will help fix the problem. If it was not possible to clean the part and restore its performance, you will have to look for a replacement.

Having figured out why the boiler may stop working normally and how to fix the most common malfunctions, it is worth dwelling on preventive measures.

Most breakdowns can be avoided by following these simple maintenance guidelines:

Do not overheat water. The lower the temperature, the slower the formation of scale, leading to breakdowns.
The design of many boilers provides for the use of softening cartridges. Do not skimp on water softening, as this will help you avoid spending on repairs.
When leaving for a few days, turn off the device without draining the water. But turning it off at night to save energy is impractical due to the high wear of the electrical part.

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