Why the geyser does not heat the water: diagnostics of faults and methods for 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 use and provides the ability to obtain an unlimited amount of hot water. Agree, its malfunction can not only cause discomfort, but also disrupt the usual way of life.

An unexpected breakdown caught you at the most inopportune moment, you lost your hot water supply and don’t know what to do? We will help you find answers to your questions - in this article we will figure out why the gas water heater does not heat the water and whether it is possible to troubleshoot the problems yourself. We will also talk about preventive measures, providing the material with thematic photos and videos.

Problems with heating water with a water heater

Household appliances fail regardless of the popularity of the brand or the reliability of the components used. The only difference is the duration of operation. To understand the reasons for the lack of hot water or its incorrect supply, it is worth studying typical malfunctions and ways to eliminate them.

Problem #1 - the water heater does not turn on

When a column does not want to work at all, this does not indicate its complete failure. Sometimes 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 eliminate them.

Lack of traction in the channel

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

A chimney clogged with combustion products and debris is unable to provide the draft necessary for the heater to operate. To ensure high-quality water heating, it is important to monitor the cleanliness of the channel

To solve the problem, you first need to check the traction. Light a match and bring it 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 the accumulated combustion products - some of the soot accumulates in the upper part of the column.

If cleaning yourself does not bring results, 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 geyser 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.

Weak water pressure

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

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

The cause of low water pressure may be a blockage at the connection point of the column. To eliminate it, just unscrew the connection, check the water supply

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

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The water heater lights up and goes out quickly

Such a malfunction may be associated with poor contact between the elements of the thermocouple, the solenoid valve that controls the gas supply to the main burner. To fix the problem, it is important to get to the elements listed above and ensure strong contact.

A similar situation can also occur if the automatic gas water heater malfunctions. In this case, you will have to contact a specialist.

Another reason for the speaker to turn off chaotically 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 there will be no result. The heater comes to life only after a few minutes and turns off again.

Interruptions in the operation of the column may be due to a malfunction of the temperature sensor. However, to repair it you need to contact a professional.

Sometimes such problems arise in the summer, since the heat exchanger heats up very quickly. The situation can be corrected by ensuring high-quality ventilation of the room.

If the reason for the incorrect operation of the heater is a breakdown of the temperature sensor, then only professionals can cope with such a problem.

Problem #2 - the water does not heat up or heats up poorly

When a gas water heater does not heat 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 may be cracks in the membrane, salt deposits, or limescale deposits formed due to high water hardness.

To solve the problem, you will need to disassemble the unit and thoroughly clean all elements. If possible, the membrane needs to be replaced to silicone.

Over time, the elasticity of the membrane decreases, the part becomes rougher, and sometimes breaks. As a result, the heater does not work correctly. The problem can only be solved by replacing the element

Difficulties with heating water can also be associated with a clogged coarse filter located in the water unit.

Low water temperature may be associated with the following faults:

1. Column clogged. The device may heat up the water poorly due to blockage, which is indicated by the presence of soot and a change in the color of the flame.
2. Low power. When the water in a household gas water heater does not heat up well, not providing a comfortable temperature, it is worth studying the instructions. There is a possibility that its power is not enough for the supplied water pressure. Some models provide the ability to adjust power. Barring other problems, it is worth taking advantage of this opportunity.
3. Weak gas pressure. If the burner barely burns, then the water does not have time to warm up. In this situation, you should contact the gas service.

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

If during operation of the gas water heater you hear a characteristic odor indicating the presence of a leak, you should not solve the problem yourself. Contact your gas service immediately.

Features of speaker maintenance and repair

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

If you plan to repair a geyser yourself, it is important to understand its structure and study the operating instructions

Externally, the speakers may look different, but the principle of their operation remains unchanged.

All equipment that provides instantaneous heating of water has similar components and parts:

1. Frame, protecting the device, can be made of steel, cast iron, and various alloys. It houses a control panel, and in advanced models there is also a display for displaying information. If the column does not heat the water well, an error code will appear on the screen.
2. Main burner, igniter.
3. Heat exchanger, made in the form of tubes. Water moves through it and is heated here. Often this unit is the cause of gas heater malfunction.
4. The combustion chamber. It can be open or closed. Here the fuel energy is converted into heat.
5. Water node. After opening the tap, the flow of water passing through this unit activates the membrane. It acts on the rod, which, in turn, opens the valve and allows gas to flow into the burner.
6. Gas valve. He is responsible for supplying gas to the system. If there is a problem with its operation, the column may not work correctly.
7. Chimney — a hole for the exit of fuel combustion products.

The operating principle of a gas water heater is quite simple. When the user opens the hot water tap, cold water and gas are supplied to the device, and the burner is lit at the same time.

Cold water passes through the heat exchanger tubes, gradually heating up. Combustion products are redirected to the street through a chimney or a special opening.

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

The main unit of the geyser is the heat exchanger. To prevent scale formation in it, you can install a filter at the inlet

To quickly heat water, it is important to maintain the functionality of all components of the column and carry out periodic gas equipment maintenance.

The nuances of descaling a radiator

During operation of a gas water heater, 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 narrows, 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 works normally. However, at the exit the user receives slightly heated water. You can fix this defect yourself.

To clean a water heater, you need to thoroughly rinse the tubes. Professionals use a special radiator cleaner. A solution of vinegar (citric acid) is suitable for the home handyman.

You can descale the heat exchanger at home with a solution of citric acid or vinegar. But first you have to remove the radiator from the speaker body

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

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

Before starting work, it is necessary to close the cold water and gas supply taps.Open the hot water tap to drain liquid from the system. Then you need to remove the fittings and unscrew the housing.

After this, you need to remove the tube adjacent to the heat exchanger and drain the remaining water, which may still be about half a liter.

To carry out cleaning, you need to pour a heated solution of citric acid (vinegar) into the heat exchanger and leave for a couple of hours. At the end of the period, connect the coil to the water supply and rinse thoroughly. If desired, repeat the procedure.

Features of eliminating leaks in the column

When water leaks are noticed while using a gas heater, the cause of the malfunction may be the following:

• 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, repairs will not be difficult since it is enough to correctly connect the device or replace the gaskets.

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

If the holes in the heat exchanger are small, then you can solder them yourself, but the best solution would be to replace the unit

You can try to solder the leaking section of the heat exchanger tube. This will provide a temporary effect and prolong the operation of the gas heater. However, after a fairly short period of time, the fistula may appear in another place, so it is advisable that instead of soldering, professionals recommend a complete replacement of the heat exchanger.

Failure Prevention Measures

To reduce the likelihood of geyser malfunctions and safely enjoy hot water, it is necessary to carry out periodic maintenance. You can do the work yourself or use professional services.

Prevention involves disassembling and thoroughly cleaning the gas water heater. We have provided a detailed description of the manual service process in this material.

Periodic maintenance and cleaning of the chimney will extend the life of the gas water heater.

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

What else can interfere with water heating?

If diagnostics have shown that there are no malfunctions in the operation of the gas heater, but the water heater still does not heat or heats the water poorly, you should listen to the recommendations of professionals.

Among them are the following:

1. If the water has always been hot, and then its temperature became insufficient, it is worth checking gas pressure, coming from a pipeline or cylinder. It is not recommended to do this yourself; it is better to call representatives of the gas service.
2. Water can remain cool when incorrect operation of the mixermixing cold water with hot water. You can easily check this by touching the pipe through which water flows from the pump to the tap. If the pipeline is hot and the water coming out of the tap is slightly warm, you should repair the faucet or correct its work.
3. When the temperature of the water supplied from the tap changes sharply, the gas heater periodically turns off, it is worth checking filters in the water heating system, in the mixer.

To increase the temperature of the water leaving the boiler, it is worth opening the gas supply tap as much as possible, and opening the valve responsible for the flow of cold water only halfway. At maximum burner power, 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 learn more about preventive maintenance:

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

Compliance with the rules of operation of the device and periodic maintenance will reduce the likelihood of breakdowns and enjoy hot water without hassle. If there are malfunctions in the operation of the gas water heater, you can independently eliminate minor defects, clean the filters, and change the gaskets. Replacing the temperature sensor and setting up the gas supply will have to be entrusted to representatives of the gas service who have permission to carry out such work.

Would you like to tell us how you managed to personally diagnose the problem of poor water heating with a water heater and fix it? Write your comments in the feedback block, add unique photos.

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