DIY boiler repair: possible malfunctions and instructions for their elimination

An electric water heater, like everything on earth, is not eternal. Poor quality of the device itself, improper operation, installation errors and unfortunate accidents can ruin the device. In the event of minor breakdowns, repairing the boiler with your own hands is not difficult, but a number of malfunctions can be fixed only in the service center.

We will talk about what violations in the operation of water heating equipment can be eliminated with one's own hand. In the article we presented, the nuances of diagnosis are given, methods for restoring the operation of the unit are described in detail. Useful recommendations for maintenance are given.

How does a boiler work?

There are accumulative and flow type water heaters. The first consists of a large tank in which a heating element is installed. Inside the device, water enters, which is stored there at a certain temperature.

Via temperature sensorconnected to the thermostat, the temperature is maintained at the set level. To prevent the loss of thermal energy, the housing of the storage tank is closed with a layer of insulation.

Before starting the operation of the boiler, its device, technical specifications and manufacturer's recommendations for operation should be studied to prevent breakdowns

Flow models work differently. They also have a housing and a heating element, but no water is stored inside. The device turns on at the moment when a stream of water begins to pass through its body.

The fluid quickly heats up to the desired temperature. These devices are more powerful than storage models, they consume more electricity. But their dimensions are compact, and installation is a bit easier.

And yet, in everyday life, an accumulative version of a water heater is more often used. Failures in different types of devices are similar, and they are eliminated by approximately the same means.

To automate the operation of a water heater, use a thermostat. This item retrieves the current status using temperature sensor. It turns on and off the heating element based on the incoming information.

This helps not only to maintain the optimum temperature inside the drive, but also makes it possible to save energy. The device also prevents dangerous overheating of water, which can cause a serious accident.

If the boiler leaks in the area where the water pipes are connected, it is most likely that improper installation of the device is to blame, and it is necessary to re-seal the connections

Hot water is gradually taken from the tank and replaced by cold streams from the water supply. At this moment, the heating element is usually turned on. If hot water has not been used in the boiler for a long time, then it can cool. Too low temperature also gives a signal to turn on TENA.

With features of choice electric heaters for water will introduce an article devoted to design differences and technical characteristics of equipment models popular among consumers.

Types of heaters according to the used heating elements

Distinguish between dry and wet boilers TENOM. In the first embodiment, the heating element is placed in a special flask, and in the second it is in direct contact with water. Both models have certain advantages.

In terms of boiler repair, it is considered that “dry” TEN replacing is much easier than “wet”, because for this you just need to remove it from the bulb and put a new element in it.

In the case of “wet” TENOM You will first have to completely drain the water from the tank, and only then make a replacement. Usually, “dry” heating elements are less efficient than the “wet” option, therefore, in the boiler, more often than not one, but two such heating elements are installed.

A “dry” heating element is not as productive as a “wet” one, but replacing it is somewhat easier, since it is not necessary to drain the water from the tank

Due to the nature of operation, “dry” TENY burn out more often and need replacing, therefore models with “wet” TENami more popular. It is worth noting that you can find modern boilers with very reliable “dry” TENami the latest generation, but the cost of such devices may be too high.

But on the amount of scale generated during operation, type TENA does not affect. But if the “wet” element deposits scale directly on the surface, then with a “dry” heating element, deposits accumulate on the protective flask.

Vulnerable elements of a water heater

Even before installing the device, you should carefully study its technical passport and operating instructions. These documents usually accurately reflect the device’s device, describe the position of the main elements, give recommendations for proper use, etc.

The storage tank of the boiler is usually made of stainless steel with a thickness of about two millimeters. Outside, a layer of heat insulator is applied to the container, which is closed with a housing made of metal or polymeric materials

Many failures of water heaters are somehow connected with the tank, and they appear in the form of a leak. In order to properly respond and choose the right strategy for troubleshooting, you should determine the location of the leak and identify its cause.

Not always the cause of the leak is the damage to the tank, more often its presence indicates that:

• the protective gasket has lost weight;
• there were problems in the operation of the heater;
• the temperature regulator is damaged and / or temperature sensor.

To protect the storage water heater, it is included or built into the housing in the strapping circuit safety valve, the presence of which significantly reduces the number of breakdowns and the occurrence of emergency situations.

Sometimes a leak occurs at the entrance to the boiler body of hot and cold water pipes. Most often, this is a consequence of improper installation, which appears immediately after commissioning the device or shortly after.Care must be taken in advance to properly seal all joints.

High-quality boilers usually install not one, but two or three thermostats. The first regulates the water temperature in the device, the second is needed to monitor the state of the first, and the third device allows you to check the working condition of the heating element.

The design of these elements may vary. Rod and capillary devices are popular, the electronic version of the thermostat is considered very convenient in operation. But the principle of operation of such devices is almost the same, in case of breakdown, the device simply needs to be replaced with a similar model.

However, such a malfunction will not be critical for the operation of the boiler. If TEN OK, the device will still warm the water. But the lack of control over the heating temperature can lead to incorrect operation of the device. The result may be a breakdown of the heating element or other problems.

Cleaning and maintenance

Following manufacturer's recommendations can save a lot of problems for the boiler owner. For example, the instructions usually recommend regular maintenance of the boiler, which boils down to an external inspection and cleaning procedure.

Usually the recommended maintenance periods vary depending on the type of heating element and the nature of its operation. For wet TENA cleaning is recommended annually, and for “dry” - at least once every two years.

If the device is used at high loads, for example, at the factory or in a public place, then maintenance should be carried out every six months, regardless of type TENA.

During operation, scale and debris accumulate inside the boiler; to remove these contaminants, the appliance should be cleaned regularly

The maintenance procedure may affect warranty service. Sometimes the manufacturer indicates in the documents that the procedure should not be carried out by the owner of the device, but by repairmen certified by the manufacturer. In this case, it is better to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Independently carry out maintenance is not too difficult. To do this, disconnect the boiler from the power supply and water supply, and then drain the water inside. After that, the housing is opened by unscrewing the mounting bolts and removed TEN. The heater and the inner surface of the tank are cleaned of scale and dirt.

Replace the protective pad and the magnesium anode. Then carry out the reassembly of the device and its connection to the electric and water supply network. One of the common causes of damage to the boiler tank is the so-called electrical corrosion. It gradually destroys the surface of the drive, which leads to leakage.

To prevent this problem, many manufacturers install next to TENOM magnesium anode. This element is not eternal, the task of the device owner is to timely replace it with a new element. Unfortunately, some people forget about this, as a result of which their boiler may be completely damaged.

The magnesium anode gradually wears out, it is recommended to replace it with a new element every year or two, depending on the model of the heating element

Do not forget about such an important protective element as grounding. Its absence not only poses a risk of injury during operation of the device, but also can amplify or provoke electrocorrosion.

Repair common breakdowns

The surface of the tank consists of several layers: the tank itself, insulation, the outer casing, etc. This allows you to save heat and save electricity, but makes it difficult to repair the device.

The fact is that if the integrity of the inner tank or the outer shell is damaged, then this also destructively affects the state of the insulating material.

To remove the protective cover from the boiler, it is necessary to find and unscrew the fixing bolts. If they are hidden under decorative stickers, you need to carefully peel off the protection and keep it

The cause of a tank breakdown may be careless handling of the device during installation and / or operation. If you drop a heavy object on the case or accidentally hit it, a chip, crack, or other similar damage may form on the surface.

It is almost impossible to fix such a breakdown on your own, you will either have to contact a service center, or just buy and install a new boiler. Of course, you can solder a hole inside or outside, but this method will only solve the problem for a while.

It is unlikely to be able to provide sufficient protection for the thermal insulation material at home. Gradually, it will collapse, as a result, the boiler will retain heat much worse, and corrosion processes will develop. If the boiler starts to leak, this does not necessarily mean that the tank has deteriorated.

When replacing the protective gasket, carefully remove the worn element and install the exact same new one. Tighten fasteners gradually to avoid misalignment.

First you need to establish the exact location of the leak. If water leaks in the place where the gasket is installed, you may just need to replace this element. The procedure for the maintenance of the device during which such an operation is performed has already been described.

One of the most obvious and common boiler failures is a malfunction. TENA. If the water inside stopped to heat up, most likely this problem arose.

If you need to replace the heater, you should choose the element that is exactly the same in size and characteristics so that the boiler works correctly

Of course, before you start dismantling and disassembling the device to replace the heater, you should make sure that there is power supply in the house, and the electricity flows unhindered to the boiler. For such a check, you should use the tester, attaching it to the contact points.

For verification, it is recommended to perform the following operations:

• The tester measurement scale should be set between 220 and 250 V.
• Fix the voltage value at the terminals of the device connected to the mains.
• If there is no voltage, a heater malfunction can be confidently detected.
• If voltage is present, the test must be continued.
• Disconnect the water heater from the mains.
• Then detach the thermostat from TENA and remove the insulation from the contacts of the heating element.
• Now you need to use a tester to measure the voltage on uninsulated contacts.
• The lack of reaction allows us to conclude a malfunction TENA, its presence indicates that the device is in good condition.

TEN working properly, but the water does not heat up? The thermostat is probably defective. To check this version, you should set the tester to maximum, and then check the voltage sizes at the input and output of the device.

Lack of response will indicate that a replacement is necessary. The presence of voltage does not give a clear signal that the thermostat is in good condition, the test should continue.

A broken temperature controller with a temperature sensor just needs to be replaced with a new similar device. During diagnostics, the temperature sensor bulb must be handled carefully.

Now you need to set the tester to the minimum value, and take measurements on the thermostat contacts for some time. If the sensors cannot be fixed, you need to ask someone for help.

Should heat the edge temperature sensor (e.g. using a lighter), and follow up thermal relay. If the heating caused it to open, you can consider the device in good condition. A lack of response indicates that a replacement is necessary.

The correct state of the thermostat is diagnosed using an electric tester, measuring the voltage at the contacts of the device, and also checking the operation of the sensor and relay

If TEN, and the thermostat is working properly, there may be no heating due to improper device settings. Easy adjustment will help fix the problem. Another possible scenario in this situation is a breakdown of the control board. In this case, you will have to seek help from a specialized center.

It is difficult to fix a breakdown of the electronic control board with your own hands, you will need the help of qualified specialists who will help you choose the right replacement and configure the device correctly

Replacing TENA, gaskets or any other element of the boiler must be carried out on a new part, which in all respects corresponds to a faulty one. Therefore, it is better to dismantle the old element and take it with you to the store.

It does not hurt to study the product labeling or its characteristics set forth in the technical passport of the boiler so that the serviceable element corresponds to the broken one not only externally.

Boiler disassembly for repair perform in the following order:

• Turn off the power and water supply.
• Drain the water inside.
• Unscrew the fasteners from the protective cover.
• Remove the cover.
• Dismantle TEN.
• Take out the thermostat and temperature sensor.

It is usually more convenient to work with mounted models if you first remove them from the wall. The cover can be located at the bottom, side and even on the front panel - it all depends on the model. Particular care must be taken with temperature sensor.

If the flasks of the device accidentally break, they cannot be repaired. Most likely, you will have to completely replace the entire thermostat.

Scale deposits on the surface of the heating element can be very significant, so care must be taken when removing it from the housing

Caution will not hurt when removing the heating element. If on the surface TENA or the bulb that protects it, too much scum has accumulated, it may not be easy to remove it from the tank. Sudden movements and excessive force can cause permanent damage.

Faced with a problem that you cannot solve on your own, be sure to contact a service center. Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis, correctly perform repairs or install a new part.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The experience of professionals and amateurs is the best adviser when doing DIY repairs. Helpful videos may help you identify the problem and fix it.

An option for eliminating boiler leakage using cold welding is presented in this video:

The procedure for cleaning the boiler is graphically presented here:

This video demonstrates the procedure for checking the electrical elements of a boiler using a tester:

Self-repair of the boiler is reduced mainly to the replacement of damaged elements. Timely maintenance, proper installation and compliance with operating rules will prevent a lot of breakdowns and extend the life of the device.

Please write comments, post photographs, ask questions in the block below. Tell us about how to restore the efficiency of the water heater with your own hands. It is possible that your recommendations will be very useful to site visitors.