Why the geyser buzzes, clicks, whistles and pops: causes of problems and solutions

The presence of a gas water heater in a house or apartment solves the issue of hot water supply. It is easy to use and, as a rule, does not cause problems to users. Therefore, the situation when the water heater clicks, whistles, or pops, to put it mildly, unpleasant, agree? But what to do in this case?

In this article, we will analyze the main reasons why the gas column is buzzing, and also makes other extraneous sounds. We will talk about when it is necessary to immediately call a specialist, and in which cases it is possible to resume the operation of the device yourself.

How does a gas water heater work?

To understand if there is any threat from extraneous sounds made by the column, you need to consider all possible causes. If the column is old, there will likely be more options. In addition, each model of water heating equipment may have its own characteristic features. But all the same, the principle of their work is similar. Therefore, first you need to understand how the gas column works and whether it is possible to fix the problem yourself.

Any modern water heating device consists of a rectangular box and a supply of gas and water to it. Cold water enters the device and passes through the radiator compartment, where it is heated using a special burner.

As soon as you open the hot tap, a valve opens in the device, which is designed to supply gas to the system. It enters the combustion chamber through a special burner for ignition and the process of direct heating of the heat exchange element through which water passes begins.

Carbon monoxide, which is produced after the combustion of natural gas, is removed to the street throughchimney channel. The withdrawal is carried out naturally or forcibly (turbocharged speakers).

To determine and eliminate the cause of the malfunction in the gas column, it is necessary to study its device and the principle of operation of all elements of the device

In cases where nochimney pipes, and its construction is not possible, useturbocharged type of water heater. The removal of combustion products is carried out using an additional fan installed in the device. All exhaust gases are forced to the street through a coaxial pipe. The design of this chimney also provides the intake of fresh air necessary for combustion from the outside. Such models of a water heater are made with a closed combustion chamber.

In all gas columns, emergency shutdown systems are provided. As soon as the system detects some kind of malfunction, the water heater will stop working.

Automatic protection works under the following conditions:

• weak draft in the ventilation duct or chimney;
• low fire in the burner that heats the heat exchanger;
• when water pressure decreases, the system automatically shuts off;
• excessive heating of the copper heat exchanger.

Let's take a closer look at the causes of malfunctions in the operation of a gas water heater.

Causes of various noises and their elimination

When operating a gas appliance, a specific noise or crack can be heard. To understand why your geyser is noisy and to identify the cause, first look at the device and listen.

As a rule, each gas appliance is noisy during operation. This occurs when gas is burned, which is supplied under pressure to the combustion chamber.

The causes of breakdowns of modern gas instantaneous water heaters can be very different. Some of them can be eliminated independently, and for the repair of others, a specialist call will be required

In a poorly ventilated room, these sounds can be heard more strongly. No worries. Also, these sound waves can form during water supply, and the crack that comes from the column occurs when an open flame acts on metal elements or occurs during ignition from a piezoelectric element.

During hot water supply, slight vibrations may occur. They are formed by the passage of fluid through the system. To reduce the vibration level, it is enough to adjust the water pressure using a valve. Having picked up the necessary position of the valve - the noise will disappear.

Next, we consider the most common problems and determine what causes various types of noise and how to deal with it.

Problem # 1 - Powerful cotton when turned on

If you hear a specific loud pop when turning on hot water, while the column may vibrate and vibrate strongly, then most likely the gas supply system in the working compartment is faulty. This is due to the accumulation of a large amount of a combustible mixture, which does not have time to catch fire on time. The accumulated gas creates excess pressure and as soon as it ignites, a small explosion occurs with a characteristic loud pop.

Such circumstances can lead to destruction of the chimney design, the column itself or to larger-scale destruction. Therefore, without delay, you should find out the cause of the problem and fix it. It is best to consult a specialist gas service companythat diagnose and help quickly fix this problem.

If the geyser does not work and does not ignite, then the gas burner may be faulty - to solve the problem and resume the burner, it is necessary to clean the nozzles from soot and dust

If you want to try to cope with the task yourself, then you can try to examine the condition of the parts inside the device.

To do this, you need:

• shut off the supply of fuel and water to the system;
• remove the upper part of the geyser box;
• if traces of debris, dust and soot are visible, then it is necessary to clean the surface well;
• if there is a lot of soot inside, it is most likely necessary to clean the nozzles;
• further inspect the condition of the electrodes, if necessary, clean or replace.

Process cleaning is quite time consuming and complicated. Therefore, if you are not sure that you can repair the equipment yourself, it is better to leave this venture. Contact the gas service or specialists to avoid endangering your life and the health of others.

Problem # 2 - the speaker is noisy and humming

Typically, this phenomenon is associated with weak draft in the chimney or ventilation shaft. To find out if the thrust is in order or not, just light a match or a lighter and bring it to the hole.

With proper operation and normal traction, the flame will immediately begin to be drawn inward, if the flame did not deviate, then it is necessary to clean the chimney channel from soot and dirt

With insufficient ventilation, amplified noise will also be heard. This usually happens when installing double-glazed windows. They make natural ventilation of the room impossible. In this case, you must take care of upgrading the ventilation duct or install supply valve for windows or into the wall.

Problem # 3 - crashing when the device is working

If you hear something cracking in your gas column, then the nozzles are probably dirty inside the appliance. Gas flows through them and a flame forms, heating the heat exchanger. In order to find out and clean the jets, you need to disassemble the equipment in the sequence as described above.

If the column is cracking and does not light up, then it is necessary to check the operability of the batteries, perhaps they just run out - if necessary, replace the old batteries to resume the gas boiler

And now we will understand why the household gas column clicks.

So, in speaker models with electric fuseThere may be several reasons for cod, namely:

• Batteries Models with an electric type of ignition, usually run on batteries. As soon as the batteries lose their capacity, the gas does not ignite immediately or does not burn at all. And the clicks come from the piezoelectric element, which will operate until the flame lights up. To solve this problem is simple enough replace two batteries.
• Sensor failurecontrolling the flow of gas. Often under the influence of condensate, the sensor metal oxidizes. In this case, you can try to clean the oxides. But for the correct operation of the device, you need to buy a new sensor.
• Candle warp. If the wick has shifted, then this may serve as another reason why the heater does not work. As soon as you put the candle in its original position, the flame will light up.
• In some cases, the retarder may not work - ignition mechanism. Most likely, the cause will be a stuck ball. The simplest solution is to remove the product and shake it to release it or otherwise clear the jam.

Loud hum and vibration may indicate that when connecting gas equipment It was a mistake. To find out the cause, check how the gas and water pipes are connected. Maybe somewhere you need to tighten the nuts. In addition, loud sounds and vibrations can be caused by depressurization of the duct. Correct the problem and the noise will stop.

If the gas burner that heats the heat exchanger has shifted to the side, this may contribute to incomplete combustion of the fuel. This may smell gas. Return the burner to its original position and the noise will disappear.

Checking the operation of the gas burner, and troubleshooting by installing the ignition wick in place

Problem # 4 - a gas water heater whistles

Whistling sounds can be heard from different places in the gas appliance and the gas network.Most likely, the reason why the household gas column is whistling is the connection of the pipes. So it makes a gas or water pipe. First you need to determine where the whistle comes from.

Then it will be easier to figure out why this happens:

1. First of all, you need to block one of the input pipes. For example, block the gas pipe. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the reasons. noise and vibration of the gas pipe.
2. Next, try to open hot water.
3. If the whistle did not stop, and became even louder, then you need to examine the water supply system. Most often, this problem occurs with prolonged use of equipment. In the process of heating water, a solid calcareous deposit (scale) forms inside the heat exchanger. This helps to reduce the diameter of the holes, thereby complicating the passage of water into the system. To fix the problem, you need to clean the heat exchanger with a special solution or replace it with a new one.
4. If the column stopped whistling when opening the tap, then the matter is in the gas supply system. The flame control valve may have failed. To check, try reducing the gas supply. If the whistle has not decreased, then it is necessary to disassemble the device and clean it.

To prevent the accumulation of scale in the heat exchanger, experts recommend installing water filters on the inlet of cold water. In this way, water hardness can be reduced and the life of the heat exchanger can be increased. The cost of the new is rather big, so you need to monitor its condition.

So, if you notice that the water pressure is very small, then most likely your filters are clogged or the heat exchanger is clogged.

If the gas column is noisy and vibrates, and the water pressure in the tap is very weak, then probably a large amount of scale has accumulated inside the copper heat exchanger. But the radiator can be cleaned at home.

Problem # 5 - the device clicks and does not turn on

If, when turning on hot water, the column starts to click and does not turn on, then the cause may be a failed fan. It is designed to divert combustion products into the ventilation pipe. Typically, such models are installed in apartments of multi-storey buildings, and in houses where there is no way to build a chimney or ventilation shaft.

If the fan is faulty, you will hear the piezoelectric element clicks, but the gas supply valve will not work, so the device will not work.

The causes of the malfunction:

• Fan blades clogged with dirt and debris. To find out the cause of the breakdown or to clean the part, you need to inspect the device. To do this, remove the protective cover and look at the condition of the fan. If it is clogged with dust and debris, clean it and, if necessary, lubricate with special oil.
• Burned winding. If the fan does not show signs of life, then, most likely, the gearbox winding has burned out, in which case it is necessary to replace the device with a working one. Also, shutdown may occur from oxidation of contacts. Check and, if necessary, strip the connection pins.

If you cannot find or fix a malfunction in your column, then do not waste time and call specialists who will perform all the necessary steps to solve the existing problem.

To find out if a fan is operating that takes combustion products to the street, it is necessary to remove the protective cover of the gas column and inspect the turbine

Responsibility for unauthorized substitution

It should be remembered that boiler replacement, columns and other gas appliances in an apartment of a multi-storey building or in the private sector, should be carried out only by qualified employees who have official permission to perform work with gas and gas equipment. You can also contact the specialists of the state gas service. Unauthorized repair or connection of equipment is not prohibited by law, but you must understand the full responsibility of such actions.

If you independently intervene in the gas supply system and insert into it without the permission of the gas service, you will be fully responsible in accordance with the federal law adopted in 2018 No. 229-FZ “On Amendments to Article 215.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and Articles 150 and 151 CPC RF ".

There is a fine for such violations in the amount of up to 80 thousand rubles. Also, the offender may be punished with correctional labor for up to 360 hours. Another violator can be sent to correctional labor for up to one year.

In addition, they may award a restriction of freedom or its complete deprivation of liberty for 2 years. In the event that after an independent intervention in the gas system an accident occurred, as a result of which people were injured. Then the offender will be punished in the form of the same fine, correctional labor up to five years and even imprisonment up to 8 years.

In the event that you do not have the opportunity to carry out repairs yourself, then contact specialists, do not forget that working with gas is very dangerous not only for you, but also for people around

To perform the replacement of gas equipment, you must have a special permit. If an accident occurs and people suffer, the perpetrator will be administratively punished for the first time, according to article 7.19 Administrative Code of the Russian Federation in the form of a fine.

If the same person re-identifies the violation, the offender will be prosecuted in accordance with the adopted federal law No. 229-ФЗ “On amendments to Article 215.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and Articles 150 and 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation (UPK RF). ”

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video on how to troubleshoot a gas boiler. A detailed overview of the disassembly and repair of a gas water heater at home:

In the case of any type of malfunction, as a result of which the gas column will buzz and crack, you can try to fix the breakdown yourself. But there is no guarantee that you will not damage the device. Therefore, the best option would be to contact the masters for the maintenance of the gas column.

If your column is still under warranty, then contact the experts without hesitation. They will fix the cause of the malfunction for free and repair or replace the necessary parts of the equipment..

Do you want to supplement our material with useful information to eliminate the causes of excessive noise and cod of a gas column? Or want to clarify a couple of points for diagnosis? Ask your questions to our experts, leave comments, participate in the discussion - the feedback form is located below.