How to check draft in a gas water heater: an overview of methods for checking draft and methods of combating reverse draft

The geyser is very popular among owners of apartments and private houses.Of course, the device does an excellent job of providing residents with hot water, does not require complex maintenance, and the cost of fuel used is minimal. But the water heater also has one serious drawback - a gas leak can lead to an explosion, destruction of the house and death. Therefore, it is extremely important to identify a breakdown in a timely manner and know how to check the draft in a gas water heater at home.

Each element of the device must work flawlessly, any problems must be corrected immediately, and failed parts must be immediately replaced. Regular checks of the system are carried out by gas service specialists, but you can periodically inspect some elements on which the safety of people living in the house depends on yourself.

We will try to figure out how to test the design, in particular, check the draft of the water heater, at home. In the article we will also consider effective ways to combat the lack of draft in the smoke duct.

The best ways to test traction

For correct operation of geysers with an open combustion chamber, you will need good draft and proper arrangement of the chimney. Most modern models are equipped with an automatic safety system that prevents the device from starting if there is no traction.

Next, we’ll look at how you can check the draft in the chimney of a domestic gas boiler and water heater.

Method #1 - using an anemometer

A professional check of the draft in the chimney of a gas boiler and water heater is carried out using a special measuring device - an anemometer.

With its help, you can verify the presence of air traffic and determine its strength. The indicator should be 1.96-29.40 Pa.

Method #2 - using a match

If it is not possible to use an anemometer, you can check as follows:

1. Prepare paper strips and secure them at the entrance to the mine channel. You must first remove the horizontal part of the chimney pipe. The movement of part of the leaf will signal the presence of traction.
2. Sufficient draft can also be determined using a flame. A lit match should be directed vertically towards the viewing window on the front panel of the water heater.

The chimney should be checked before igniting the water heater. A flame brought to the inspection hole at the top of the column during operation should be drawn inward.

It is necessary to check the draft in the gas water heater every time before turning on the device. Open the window slightly for air flow

Method #3 - checking the traction sensor

The water heater has several control modules installed. Sensors for overheating, draft, ionization, and water pressure prevent emergency situations.

The draft sensor monitors the temperature of the exhaust gases, and when it increases, it reacts accordingly:

1. Inside the sensor there is a bimetallic plate connected to the gas valve.
2. Metal expanding as a result of overheating transmits a signal to turn off the gas supply.
3. The cooled plate returns to its original dimensions, opening the valve.

It is recommended to check the serviceability of the sensor when systematically turning off the column.

You can do this in several ways:

• place a mirror next to the sensor, its surface should not sweat when the water heater is turned on;
• The serviceability of the sensor will be indicated by turning off the gas water heater when the chimney is closed 2/3 with the damper.

In some water heater models, the regulator is mounted on a plastic mount that can be easily moved out of place. This will also lead to frequent speaker shutdowns.

You can also test the serviceability of the sensor using an ohmmeter; its resistance should be equal to infinity. Otherwise, the part should be replaced.

The sensor shuts off the gas supply in the event of a gas leak or poor removal of combustion products. The serviceability of the protective element is a guarantee of safe use of the water heater

When there is a constant interruption in the fuel supply, home owners often simply turn off the sensor, after which the water heater actually starts working without interruption. But such a solution violates the technique operational safety gas equipment. The water heater will remain unprotected; if there is a leak, carbon monoxide will enter the room.

It is strictly prohibited to use a gas water heater if there is no vacuum in the chimney channel. Let's consider the possible reasons for the lack of traction.

Reasons for lack of traction

The source of the malfunction can be identified by visually inspecting the column for errors made during its operation. installations.

Violation of geyser installation technology, as well as the use of low-quality materials when installing a water heater are the main reasons for the lack of traction

There are several typical violations:

1. The diameter of the air duct is less than the cross-section of the water heater outlet pipe.
2. Using more than three repeat angles and adapters when installing a pipe.
3. The chimney length is less than 2.5 meters.
4. The chimney connections are loose and there are leaks.
5. The distance from the water heater to the chimney is less than 30-50 cm.
6. The length of the corrugation exceeds 2 meters.

It is also important to assess the compliance of the premises with technical operating conditions. It is prohibited to install a gas water heater and a forced exhaust hood in one room. When installing metal-plastic windows, supply valves must be used.

How to increase draft in a water heater?

One of the main reasons for the lack of draft is a blockage in the smoke channel. This problem often occurs in old-type apartment buildings.

In the so-called Khrushchev buildings, 2 shafts are laid - for the water pump and for ventilation. First of all, you need to call specialists to carry out cleaning.

Removing the blockage in the smoke channel will help increase the draft in the water heater. You can clean it yourself using a metal brush or a special brush.

In a private house, improving draft should begin with an inspection of the chimney and assessing the contamination of the littered pipe. After removing the blockage, a mirror is placed inside the canal. There should be a light at the top of the chimney. It is recommended to carry out this procedure at least once every three years.

Poor draft can also be caused by improper installation of the chimney hood or a large number of unnecessary turns, sharp corners and bends in the pipe. If correcting errors made during installation did not help, you can increase the draft in the chimneys using smoke exhausters and fans.

Ways to eliminate backdraft

You should pay attention to any, even the most minor, changes in the operation of the gas device. If the water heater makes strange noises or turns on with a bang, you should immediately contact a specialist.

Popping noises are most common in older speaker models.In modern flow columns such defects are extremely rare. Extraneous sounds occur due to accumulated gas in the heat exchanger, which can subsequently occupy the entire chimney.

You can determine the presence of reverse draft in a gas column using measuring instruments. The indicator is set with maximum accuracy, in pressure units

In most cases, such a violation is provoked by a clogged chimney, a broken valve, or a deviation of the ignition wick.

In new water heater models, a malfunction can be caused by:

• defective spark plug;
• spent battery installed in the control module;
• faulty microswitch located in the water unit.

Having decided to carry out independent repair work, first of all, you need to check the intensity of traction using one of the methods listed above.

Further diagnostics will differ depending on the type of device - with an ignition wick or an automatic ignition system.

Column with automatic ignition system

In this type of water heater, the ignition device is controlled by an electronic module. The system with microswitches located on the fire and liquid regulators is considered one of the most reliable. Repairing a failed part can result in significant costs.

The operation of new generation geysers is based on the principle of automatic ignition. Such devices are equipped with several security sensors

You can determine the severity of the failure as follows:

1. Explore batteries. Delayed ignition of the gas may be due to a low battery charge. In this case it is enough replace power supply on new.
2. Check the functionality of the liquid pressure microregulator, designed to transmit signals to the control module. Its activity is associated with the supply of water when it is necessary to ignite the gas. Like other regulators, it can fail and issue incorrect commands. The problem can be determined using an ohmmeter and a multimeter. The worn element should be replaced with a new one.
3. The reason for the appearance of uncharacteristic sounds can also be deformation of the location of the device that ignites the gas.. The malfunction is usually caused by a temperature difference. The part is secured using a screw; you should loosen it a little and correct the position of the spark plug. The gap should be 0.4-0.5 cm.
4. Gas can also accumulate due to a faulty valve, which causes fluid flow to slow down. The small metal ball should move freely under the lid. If its movement is disturbed, you can try to move the valve from its place with a cable. If there is contamination, the channel should be cleaned. But it is not recommended to carry out such a procedure unless absolutely necessary.

Upon completion of the repair work, it is necessary to check the connections for leaks. You can enhance safety using rubber gaskets and special sealants.

Ignition wick water heaters

Flow-through geysers of the previous generation often emit characteristic popping sound when turned on. Such structures are considered not very convenient and often even unsafe; at the same time, much less money will be needed to repair them.

You can eliminate gas pops by cleaning contaminants from the hole in the nozzle. The procedure must be carried out monthly or annually, depending on the quality of the fuel used

The accumulation of gas in an area not intended for this purpose can be caused by improper placement of the ignition wick.Failure to do so results in a reduced flame and an inability to reach the edge of the burner with the edge. The main reason for insufficient gas supplied to the wick is a clogged nozzle.

You can fix the problem yourself, but to do this you need to completely disassemble the device.

Be extremely careful when repairing the device; place all removed screws in a separate container so that they do not get lost. After removing the heat exchanger, take a photo of the location of the structural elements, this will help you later easily connect everything correctly

The first step is to turn off the water and gas supply.

The main part of water heaters has the same type of circuit, so the repair instructions will practically not differ:

1. First you have to dismantle the protective casing of the water heater.
2. Provide free access to the tee.
3. Unscrew the fastening screws, and then remove the nuts securing the supply tubes and regulator.
4. The tee must be carefully pulled out of the groove.
5. Examine the lower pipe. A small screw with a through hole is the jet.
6. The nozzle should be cleaned using a needle or wire.
7. Upon completion of all work, you need to reassemble the water heater in the reverse order.

If the problem persists, you should contact your gas company specialist.

There are other reasons for the appearance of reverse thrust:

1. Seasonal changes, in this case, you need to make sure there are no errors when installing the chimney and insulate the channels.
2. Air lock inside the smoke channel can provoke reverse draft in the chimney of a household gas water heater. To fix the problem, set fire to the newspaper inside the pipe.
3. Forced exhaust in a room with a column causes a compensation process, air comes from the smoke duct.Metal-plastic windows only aggravate the problem; in some houses, air from the chimney begins to actively flow into the room.

We reviewed more information about the causes of backdraft in the chimney in the next article.

A non-return valve can cause problems with the operation of the gas water heater. If the water heater begins to go out periodically, the reason is that the exhaust is blocked. In this case, you should contact a gas service specialist to check the chimney installation standards and, if necessary, reinstall the damper

The situation with air compensation can also be corrected using a check valve for the chimney of a gas water heater. You should also dismantle the fan, buy supply valves for metal-plastic windows.

Mechanical shut-off devices, known as a check valve or water heater damper, ensure that liquid and gas flow in only one direction.

Designed for turbocharged geysers. Their action is based on the opening of the exhaust hole when the column is operating and its closing after shutdown, which guarantees safe use.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

How to extend the life of a gas water heater:

The gas heater goes out: what is the reason and how to troubleshoot:

Checking the draft in the smoke and ventilation ducts:

Checking the draft in the water heater is a prerequisite for the safe use of gas equipment. With the reverse movement of the ventilation stream, the flow of gases rushes into the room, which can lead to smoke and fire of surrounding objects. You can verify the presence of overturning traction yourself, without the involvement of specialists. It is enough to follow the recommendations given above.

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