TOP 12 ways to properly clean a gas boiler with your own hands
Individual heating of an apartment with the help of a gas boiler is a convenient and necessary thing. You stop depending on utilities to get hot water when you want it. The only downside to this option is the high cost of repairs needed when the system is clogged. How to clean a household gas boiler at home and what needs to be taken into account in this case, we will find out below.
When cleaning is needed
A gas boiler is a complex device, and it is too expensive to disassemble it for no good reason. In order not to commit unnecessary actions that can cost you a pretty penny, check out a number of signs that signal a clogged heating element:
- The boiler does not produce the required amount of heat, while consuming a large amount of fuel.
- When operating the device, extraneous noise appears, the presence of which has not been observed before.
- Tap water pressure is significantly reduced.
- The battery heating process is slower than usual.
Gas consumption increased
One of the main reasons why gas consumption increases significantly compared to the norm is the clogging of the heat exchanger with scale. The boiler needs more fuel to heat the exchanger to the required level. After cleaning the room, the consumption returns to the reference values.
Constantly on
A clogged heat exchanger leads to the fact that the water heats up for a long time, and the turbine constantly pumps new fluid.
Due to this, the burner is constantly working, trying to bring the water temperature to the required value.
Descaling solves the problem by allowing the boiler to operate normally without interruption.
Rumbling and interruptions in the operation of the circular pump
A blockage in the system makes it difficult to circulate fluid, causing the pump to overload during operation. As a result, appear:
- extraneous noise;
- interruptions in the operation of the device;
- engine overheating.
Reduction of pressure in the DHW circuit
A decrease in pressure in the DHW circuit is possible due to:
- malfunction of the heat exchanger;
- leaks in the pipeline network;
- the hot water circuit is leaking.
To note! The above symptoms can occur not only due to clogging of the boiler with scale. This must be taken into account in the process of diagnosing a malfunction.
About the dangers of the ladder
The scale that forms in the key units of the gas boiler leads to the following negative consequences:
- The thermal conductivity of the part is impaired, since scale has a high porosity.
- Scale deposits lead to uneven heating of the system, which can lead to breaks in the soldering points of various elements of the device.
- The information provided to the fluid temperature control sensors no longer corresponds to reality. This will reduce the performance of the equipment.
- Partial or total obstruction of the working ducts, in the long term, will cause damage to expensive equipment.
What to clean
If the heating system is blocked, the following points must be checked:
- burners and jets;
- heat exchanger;
- igniter;
- gas filter;
- foyer;
- chimney channels.
If they are not working properly, it is necessary to clear the blockages.
Igniter
A yellowish, irregular ignition flame signals the owner of the boiler to clean it. This will require:
- close the gas valve, stopping the fuel supply to the boiler;
- dismantle the igniter;
- blow and clean the room from debris;
- install in place.
Burners and nozzles
In case of unstable operation of the boiler gas burner, it becomes necessary to clean it. Algorithm of actions:
- shut off the gas supply to the boiler;
- remove the burner;
- mark the position of the nozzles with a marker, then dismantle them;
- purging the inlet and outlet openings of the burner with a pump;
- clean gently with a brush;
- we reinstall the nozzles, concentrating on the marks left by the marker;
- we return the burner to its original position.
chimney flues
Boiler operation interruptions do not only affect the heat circuit and the pump. The chimney begins to clog more actively with soot, which increases the risk during its operation. A decrease in food cravings leads to the ingress of carbon monoxide into the room, which negatively affects human health. The chimney is cleaned with an ordinary brush.
Be careful when cleaning the socket. It is usually located at high altitude, which creates an additional risk to human life. Don't forget the safety rules. Hire professionals with all the necessary skills and tools whenever possible.
Heat exchanger
Cleaning the heat exchanger on your own is reduced to a mechanical effect on the part, due to which excess dirt and scale is removed. You will need:
- brush;
- wire brush;
- key.
We turn off the gas supply to the boiler, remove the protective cover from the boiler and deactivate the temperature sensors. After that, the heat exchanger is dismantled and cleaned. Do this carefully so as not to damage the part. It is not recommended to use tools with sharp edges which could damage the heat exchanger.
gas filter
Gas supplied to the boiler through public pipes carries a lot of harmful impurities and debris. The task of the gas filter is to separate them at the entrance, preventing them from entering the heating system. A clean filter provides:
- stable operation of the device;
- slows the appearance of plaque on system parts and the internal walls of gas pipes.
Foyer
The hearth, like the chimney, is cleaned with ordinary brushes. Excess soot is removed, which contributes to the comfortable and stable operation of the gas boiler.
To note! If you are not confident in your own abilities, do not risk self-cleansing and seek help from specialists.
What is the difference between a single-circuit and double-circuit boiler
The difference between single and dual circuit boilers is as follows:
- single-circuit heating elements work only to heat the room;
- dual-circuit ones allow you to heat the room, simultaneously heating the water from the taps for household needs.
Disassembly sequence
Dismantling the boiler to remove the dirty part consists of the following sequence of actions:
- first, the boiler is turned off so that its parts cool down. It usually takes 30-40 minutes;
- then we turn off the taps responsible for gas and water supply;
- remove the front panel;
- drain the water remaining inside the boiler;
- dismantle the heat exchanger;
- we clean it.
Basic cleaning methods
The heat exchanger is cleaned in the following ways:
- mechanical;
- use chemical reagents;
- hydrodynamic;
- shock.
Mechanical
The mechanical method involves manual cleaning using various auxiliary tools. This is the easiest and cheapest way that does not require owners to spend money and time. However, its effectiveness is poor. Mechanical cleaning does not guarantee 100% that the malfunction will be corrected.
What is necessary
For mechanical cleaning of the heat exchanger, you will need to prepare:
- brush;
- brush;
- A vacuum.
Refrain from using tools with sharp edges. They can damage parts of the heating system.
How to clean
We remove the part necessary for cleaning and carefully brush its surface with a brush. A brush or vacuum cleaner is used to clean the internal surfaces of the part.
Use of chemically active substances
Dry cleaning is much more effective than mechanical cleaning, due to the removal of blockages in hard-to-reach places that cannot be reached with a regular brush. Advantages of the method:
- Efficiency;
- speed.
Disadvantages:
- reagents cost money;
- chemistry is harmful to the human body and should be used with extreme caution;
- requires specific equipment that you have to buy in a store or do it yourself.
What is a booster and how to mount it yourself
A booster is a special device that circulates chemicals inside a heat exchanger. To craft a booster yourself, you need to prepare:
- pump;
- pipes with a diameter of 1/2 or 3/4 inches;
- container for chemistry.
We attach one end of the hose to the pump, the other we screw on the heat exchanger. We screw the second pipe to the outlet of the heat exchanger and lower its free end into a container with chemistry. The pump should also be in the chemical tank.
Depending on the type of pump, the chemical tank may require some modernization.
How to Clean a Heat Exchanger Using a Booster
When using a booster with heating element, you will need:
- disconnect the boiler from the heat exchanger;
- connect the pipes to it;
- fill the container with chemistry;
- turn on the booster.
To note! When using a booster without a heating element, you will need to turn on the boiler at 1/3 power so that the liquid heats up to 45 oh...This must be done very carefully, otherwise an accident may occur. If you are unsure of the final result, seek help from specialists.
Heat exchanger cleaners
To remove scale accumulated on the walls of the heat exchanger, the following is suitable:
- special acid;
- Detex.
Types of acids for cleaning
The following acids resist scale:
- lemon;
- sulfuric;
- sorrel;
- salt;
- sulfamic.
Sulfur
It is used when a large amount of scale has formed a thick layer on the walls of the heat exchanger. It should be used with caution, as it is extremely toxic.
Lemon
Citric acid, heated to 60 oh, is considered an effective remedy to combat the various deposits that disturb the proper functioning of a gas boiler. Suitable for cleaning parts made of:
- stainless steel;
- the copper;
- brass.
The minimum concentration of the solution is 0.5% and the maximum concentration is 1.5%.
Salt
Hydrochloric acid solution is used in the processing of products from:
- stainless steel;
- the copper.
Special additives are added to the solution to prevent the destruction of the metal casing of the product. It is recommended to use it as a last resort, if there are no other options. It is extremely poisonous, and when working with it, you must strictly follow safety rules.
Sulfamic
Qualitatively removes scale deposits, which include metal oxides. A good choice for cleaning boiler parts at home. Safe for most materials used in boiler assembly.
sorrel
Benefits of using oxalic acid:
- cleans scale and rust marks;
- does not damage painted parts.
Subject to precautions, its use is authorized during home cleaning.
Detex
Special liquid designed to remove traces:
- oxides;
- ladder;
- salts.
It interacts well with steel, cast iron or copper products, increasing their service life.
Hydrodynamic flushing
Allows you not to disassemble the heat exchanger, cleaning its walls due to high water pressure. If the scale is too strong, add abrasives to the liquid. It is carried out using special equipment. It is not recommended to carry out such a rinse on your own, without the supervision of specialists.
Shock
The essence of the method is that the cleaning liquid is exposed to electric shocks. They penetrate the structure of the sediments, breaking them into small pieces. Additionally, the discharges create high-velocity flows that carry away the crushed scale particles, thereby clearing the passages of blockages.
It is very easy to descale in this way, but you need special equipment and the help of specialists.
Features of cleaning boilers of different brands
Depending on the manufacturer of water heating equipment, cleaning can have a number of nuances that must be taken into account. Let's take a look at the most common brands.
baxi
The main feature of Baksi boilers is the presence of a secondary plate heat exchanger. This must be taken into account when choosing a cleaning agent.
Navian
South Korean manufacturer producing water heating products suitable for Russian conditions. When flushing it, no problems arise, since the system has increased stability and reliability.
Ariston
Ariston equipment is equipped with additional water purification filters, which make the water entering the system cleaner than usual.This allows you to do without cleaning for a long time and use soft options when choosing chemistry.
Naughty
The manufacturer's recommended operating temperature is between 40 and 50 oh... If you follow it, scale will build up more slowly in the heat exchanger.
Beretta
A quality manufacturer that adapts its products to Russian realities. Has no peculiarities when cleaning. It is carried out by analogy with most similar products.
Arderia
Another brand from South Korea, equipped with two heat exchangers. If the product does not work properly, it is advisable to clean both parts.
Rules of care
To avoid frequent breakdowns of the gas boiler, we advise you to observe the following rules for its maintenance:
- Try to keep the room where the boiler is installed always dry. Steel or cast iron products begin to rust in high humidity.
- Dirt and dust will strongly clog the parts of the product. Try to do dusty work away from the boiler and clean often.
- Service the unit at least once a year. If this is not done, the life of the product is significantly reduced.