Why the geyser does not heat water: diagnostics of malfunctions and methods of their elimination

A gas water heater is one of the most popular water heater options in homes with a centralized supply of blue fuel. It is easy to operate, provides the ability to get an unlimited amount of hot water. You must admit that its malfunction can not only bring discomfort, but also disrupt the usual way of life.

An unexpected breakdown found you at the most inopportune moment, you lost the hot water supply and do not know what to do? We will help to find answers to questions - in the framework of this article we will understand why the gas column does not heat water and whether it is possible to fix the problems yourself. We’ll also talk about preventive measures by providing thematic photos and videos.

Problems with heating the water column

Home appliances fail, regardless of brand popularity, reliability of used components. The difference is only in the duration of operation. To understand the reasons for the lack of hot water or its incorrect supply, it is worth exploring typical malfunctions, methods for eliminating them.

Problem # 1 - the water heater does not turn on

When the column does not want to work at all, this does not mean its complete failure. Sometimes the problems are not as serious as they seem.

Next, we will analyze the main causes of this type of malfunction and talk about ways to solve them.

Lack of traction in the channel

If there is no draft, the gas will not ignite. The cause of the breakdown often becomes a blockage in the exhaust duct, in which some object is stuck. It may also collect combustion products, such as soot. As a result, the clearance is clogged, traction disappears. Then the circuit breaker works, the column does not turn on.

A chimney clogged with combustion products, debris is not able to provide the draft required for the operation of the heater.To ensure high-quality heating of water, it is important to monitor the cleanliness of the channel

To solve the problem, you first need to check the traction. Light a match, bring to the channel. If there is draft, the flame will be directed towards the hood. If there is no draft, you can try using a vacuum cleaner to get rid of accumulated combustion products - part of the soot accumulates in the upper part of the column.

If self-cleaning did not work, you should invite a chimney sweep.

Old or damaged batteries

Many models of modern speakers use batteries to perform individual functions. If the contacts have oxidized or their service life has expired, the gas column will not turn on.

To solve the problem, just open the battery compartment, inspect them for damage, clean the contacts if necessary, and replace batteries.

Low water pressure

Each column is equipped with a protection system that ensures the safety of its use. If there is insufficient water pressure, the heating equipment will not turn on.

To check the quality of the water supply, just open the tap. If insufficient pressure, it is worth contacting the management company to find out the reason. When the pressure is good, but the water is not supplied to the column, it is important to assess the condition of the incoming filters that may be clogged.

The reason for the low pressure of water can be a blockage in the place of connection of the column. To eliminate it, just unwind the connection, check the water supply

When the water pressure coming out of the column is excellent, but it does not reach the bathroom, you cannot take a shower, it is worth checking to see if the watering can is clogged.

The water heater ignites and quickly fades out

Such a malfunction can be associated with a weak contact of the thermocouple elements, the electromagnetic valve, which controls the gas supply to the main burner. To fix the problem, it is important to get to the items listed above, to ensure a solid contact.

A similar situation can be observed in case of malfunctions of the gas column automation. In this case, you will have to contact a specialist.

Another reason for the chaotic shutdown of the column may be a breakdown of the temperature sensor. The device may light up, but turn off after a few minutes. And when you try to connect, the result will not be. The heater comes to life only after a few minutes and switches off again.

Disruptions to the column may be due to a malfunction in the temperature sensor. However, to repair it, you must contact the professionals

Sometimes such problems arise in the summer, as the heat exchanger heats up very quickly. You can correct the situation by ensuring high-quality ventilation of the room.

If the cause of the heater’s malfunction is a breakdown of the temperature sensor, then only professionals can cope with this problem.

Problem # 2 - the water does not heat up or is slightly warm

When the gas column does not warm the water enough, you can find the cause of the breakdown inside the water unit by inspecting the membrane for damage.

If the rubber membrane stops responding to water pressure, the gas supply is automatically shut off. The cause of the malfunction can be cracks in the membrane, salt deposits, limescale, formed due to the high hardness of the water.

To solve the problem, you need to disassemble the unit, thoroughly clean all the elements. If possible, the membrane is worth replacing on silicone.

Over time, the elasticity of the membrane decreases, the part coarsens, sometimes breaks. As a result, the heater does not work properly. You can solve the problem only by replacing the item.

Difficulties with water heating can also be associated with clogging of the coarse filter located in the water unit.

A low water temperature may be due to the following problems:

1. Column clogging. The device may slightly warm water due to blockage, as evidenced by the presence of soot, a change in the color of the flame.
2. Low power. When the water in the household gas column does not heat up well, without providing a comfortable temperature, it is worth studying the instructions. It is likely that its capacity is not enough for the supplied pressure of water. Separate models provide the ability to adjust power. With the exception of other problems, it is worth taking this opportunity.
3. Low gas pressure. If the burner barely burns, then the water does not have time to warm up. And this situation is worth contacting the gas service.

Too hot water does not mean that the column is defective. It is easy to reduce the heating intensity by turning the gas supply knob located on the pipe near the appliance.

If during the operation of the gas column you heard a characteristic odor indicating the presence of a leak, you should not solve the problem yourself. Urgently contact the gas service.

Features of maintenance and repair of speakers

Failures in the operation of water heating equipment are often associated with blockages, difficulties in supplying water, gas. To easily diagnose problems, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the device of the water heater, the principle of its operation.

If you plan to repair the gas column yourself, it is important to understand its structure, study the operating instructions

Externally, the columns may look different, but the principle of their work remains unchanged.

All equipment providing instantaneous water heating has similar units, parts:

1. Housingprotecting device can be made of steel, cast iron, various alloys. The control panel is located on it, and in advanced models there is also a display for displaying information. If the column heats water badly, an error code will appear on the screen.
2. Main burner, igniter.
3. Heat exchangermade in the form of tubes. Water moves along it, here it is heated. Often this unit causes a malfunction of the gas heater.
4. The combustion chamber. It can be open, closed. Here, the fuel energy is converted into heat.
5. Water knot. After opening the tap, a stream of water, passing through this node, activates the membrane. It acts on the stem, which, in turn, opens the valve and passes gas into the burner.
6. Gas valve. He is responsible for supplying gas to the system. If there is a malfunction in its operation, the column may not work correctly.
7. Chimney - a hole for the exit of products of combustion of fuel.

The principle of operation of the gas column is quite simple. When the user opens the hot water tap, cold water and gas are supplied to the device, while the burner ignites.

Cold water passes through the tubes of the heat exchanger, gradually heating up. The products of combustion through a chimney or a special hole are redirected to the street.

We talked more about the principle of the column in the article: The principle of operation of a gas column: features of the device and operation of a gas water heater

The main gas column assembly is a heat exchanger. To prevent scale formation in it, you can install a filter at the input

For operational heating of water, it is important to maintain the operability of all nodes of the column, to conduct periodic gas equipment maintenance.

Nuances of descaling the radiator

During the operation of the geyser, scale may form inside the radiator tubes - when hard water is heated, salts and metals are deposited on the inner walls of the heat exchanger. As a result, the lumen is narrowed, and deposits attached to the walls do not allow the heat exchanger to warm up well.

As a result, cold water is supplied perfectly, the gas burner is working properly. However, the user receives slightly warmed water at the outlet.This defect can be fixed by yourself.

To clean the water heater, thoroughly rinse the tubes. Professionals use a special radiator cleaner. For the work of a home master, a solution of vinegar (citric acid) is suitable.

With a solution of citric acid or vinegar, you can clean the heat exchanger from scale at home. But first, you have to remove the radiator from the speaker

To disassemble and clean the gas column, you must have the following tools and materials:

• keys set;
• silicone gaskets;
• a tube with a funnel for filling the cleaning mixture.

Before starting work, it is necessary to close the taps for the supply of cold water and gas. Open the hot water tap to drain the fluid from the system. Then you need to remove the accessories, unscrew the case.

After this, you need to remove the tube adjacent to the heat exchanger, drain the remaining water, which can still remain on the order of half a liter.

For cleaning, it is necessary to fill in the heat exchanger with a heated solution of citric acid (vinegar), leave for a couple of hours. At the end of the period, connect the coil to the water supply, rinse thoroughly. If desired, repeat the procedure.

Features of liquidation of a leak in a column

When water leaks are noticed during use of the gas heater, the cause of the malfunction may be as follows:

• incorrect connection of the device to the water supply;
• failure of seals located at joints;
• the appearance of a fistula in the heat exchanger tube.

In the first two options, repair will not be difficult since it is enough to correctly connect the device or replace the gaskets.

Professionals recommend choosing silicone seals, which ensure the tightness of the connection, serve for a long time. When planning work, it is worth stocking up gaskets for all connections in order to replace them simultaneously in the entire column and not encounter a similar problem elsewhere in a short time.

If the holes in the heat exchanger are small, then you can solder them yourself, but replacing the assembly will be the best solution

The leaking section of the heat exchanger tube can be soldered. This will provide a temporary effect, prolong the operation of the gas heater. However, after a fairly short period of time, a fistula may appear elsewhere, so it is advisable that professionals instead recommend soldering a complete replacement of the heat exchanger.

Fault Prevention

To reduce the likelihood of a gas column malfunction and to enjoy hot water calmly, it is necessary to carry out periodic maintenance. Work can be done independently or use professional services.

Prevention involves disassembling and thoroughly cleaning the gas column. A detailed description of the process of hand-made service we provided in this material.

Periodic preventive maintenance, chimney cleaning will extend the life of the gas column

When carrying out maintenance work, do not forget about the chimney. When the channel for the discharge of combustion products is clogged with soot and foreign objects, the protection is triggered, the water heater is turned off.

What else can interfere with heating the water?

If the diagnostics showed that there are no malfunctions in the gas heater, and the column still does not heat up or does not heat water well, it is worth listening to the recommendations of professionals.

Among them are the following:

1. If the water was always hot, and then its temperature became insufficient, it is worth checking gas pressurecoming from a pipeline or cylinder. It is not recommended to do this on your own, it is better to call the gas service representatives.
2. Water can stay cool when incorrect operation of the mixermixing cold water with hot. It is easy to check this by touching the pipe through which water flows from the column to the tap.If the pipeline is hot and the tap water is slightly warm, it’s worth repair faucet or adjust his work.
3. When the temperature of the water that is supplied from the tap changes dramatically, the gas heater is periodically turned off, it is worth checking filters in the water heating system, in the mixer.

To increase the temperature of the water leaving the column, it is worthwhile to open the gas supply valve as much as possible, and only half open the valve that controls the flow of cold water. At maximum burner output, the flow of cold water will decrease. This will provide better heating.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The following video will help you familiarize yourself with preventive work in more detail:

A more detailed description of flushing the heat exchanger can be seen in the video.

Compliance with the rules of operation of the device, periodic maintenance, will reduce the likelihood of breakage, enjoy hot water without the hassle. If, however, malfunctions are noted in the operation of the geyser, minor defects can be eliminated on their own, clean the filters, change the gaskets. The replacement of the temperature sensor, the adjustment of the gas supply will have to be entrusted to representatives of the gas service, who have permission to carry out such work.

Want to tell how you managed to diagnose the problem of poor heating of the water column yourself and eliminate it? Write your comments in the feedback box, add unique photos.

If you still have questions about the topic of the article, ask them to our experts and other visitors to the site.