How to hang a water heater on the wall with your own hands, the secrets of installing and repairing a boiler
Water heaters allow you to not depend on the seasonal shutdown of hot water. Such devices are attached to the wall and connected to the general system through flexible pipes. Before looking for a solution to the question of how to hang the water heater on the wall yourself, it is important to decide on the place of installation of the device. The service life and efficiency of the boiler directly depend on this.
Recommendations for choosing a location
The choice of mounting location, as well as the installation of the boiler, depends on the type of water heater purchased. This device is of the following types:
- Indirect heating. A device of this type can be placed on the floor or on the wall. This boiler is distinguished from other water heaters by the absence of an integrated heating element.
- Gas. As the name suggests, the device is connected to a common gas network. It is recommended that this heater be installed with the help of third-party specialists.
- Electric. The most common type of boiler.The heating elements of these heaters only work if the device is connected to the mains.
When choosing a place for installation, it is important to take into account the dimensions of the boiler. For small rooms, it is recommended to purchase compact radiators.
When choosing a mounting point, it is also important to take into account the location of communications (water, electricity), the strength of the walls and a number of other parameters.
Communication
When choosing a place for installation, you need to take into account the length of the cable through which the radiator is connected to the mains. If a gas water heater is installed, it must be located in the immediate vicinity of the ventilation duct. It is also not recommended to mount the boiler at a considerable distance from the cold water pipe.
Sanitary cabinet
Craftsmen recommend closing the boiler with a plumbing cabinet. However, if desired, the device can be left open.
Humidity level
Boilers are not recommended for installation in high humidity locations. In particular, it is forbidden to install radiators above the bath, since splashing water can get into the wiring and cause a short circuit. The humidity level at which the boiler remains operational is indicated in the instructions.
Wall strength
This parameter directly affects the service life of the water heater. When choosing a place for fixing the device, it should be remembered that the wall must withstand the weight not only of the boiler, but also of water.
Brick
Brick walls are suitable for installing radiators.At the same time, when installing the device, you need to drill holes for the brackets directly in the material. The cement that holds the brick together can crumble under high loads.
concrete blocks
This option is more preferable for the installation of heating devices.
Tools and Materials Required
The type of tool used to mount the water heater is selected based on the characteristics of the walls. In this case, a construction gun is needed in each case.
construction gun
This tool is used to fix the dowels, without which it is impossible to hang the heater.
puncher
A hammer drill is required if the heater is hung from concrete walls to form holes into which the dowels are to be inserted.
Electric drill
An electric drill is used in cases where holes are drilled in walls made of a material softer than concrete (drywall, brick, etc.).
Fasteners
Fixings are usually supplied with the water heater.
Metal hooks
Brackets are required to secure the water heater to the wall. The length of these hooks depends on the volume of the boiler.
Pegs
Dowels hold the brackets in the wall. That is to say that these fasteners take up part of the load created by the boiler.
Therefore, when buying dowels yourself, you should give preference to durable metal ones.
High quality pipes
To connect the boiler, you will need at least two copper (not metal) pipes, one of which supplies cold water and the second returns hot water.
Screws
The screws are necessary when the radiator is hung on the wall with a layer of plaster.
The length of such supports should be more than 10 centimeters.
Instructions and wiring diagram of the device
Without instructions and a diagram, it is impossible to connect the boiler to the general network, since the algorithm for installing the device directly depends on the design of the radiator.
network cable
The cable required for connection to the mains is supplied with the boiler.
Filtered
A coarse filter is necessary if the heater is installed in places where contaminated water (with large particles) is supplied.
Special connections
The nozzles are also supplied with the device and allow the connection of the supply and delivery pipes.
How to fix the boiler correctly
Installation of a storage water heater is carried out according to a single algorithm, regardless of the design features. At the same time, the latter determine the order of work. That is, electric boilers are connected to the general network after installation, while gas boilers always require the installation of a flue pipe.
In the first stage of installation, the water heater is attached to the wall. To do this, you must do the following:
- Step back from the ceiling at least 20 centimeters and apply a mark that shows the upper edge of the tank.
- At the back of the tank, the distance between the mounting plate and the top is measured.
- From the mark applied on the wall, you need to retreat to the obtained distance and draw a horizontal line. At this point, you should use the building level.
- On the horizontal strip, the center is determined, from which it is then necessary to measure half the distance between the supports fixed to the boiler, in each direction.
- The wall in the places where the marks are applied is drilled to a depth corresponding to the length of the fastener.
At the end of the work, you can hang the water heater on the wall and begin to connect the device to the water supply and power supply.
Features for mounting on different surfaces
Before proceeding with the installation of the heating tank, it is necessary to find out what the wall is made of. This must be done because some materials are not able to support the weight of the device, while others require drilling holes to a great depth.
foam concrete
When mounted on concrete, standard elements can be used if a water heater with a total weight of up to 50 kilograms is installed. In cases where larger boilers are mounted, steel dowels in spiral shape will be needed to secure the device, which are reinforced with a plate.
However, in such circumstances, craftsmen recommend using adhesive dowels that are inserted into the wall at an angle.
Adobe
For fixing on rammed earth, it is also recommended to use a plate suspended from long anchors. And then the fasteners that hold the radiator are welded to the shield.
ceramic tile
The degree of attachment of the heater to the walls finished with ceramic tiles directly depends on the level of attachment of the latter material. An equally important role in this case is played by the strength of the main support. If installation on such walls is planned, the tiles should be fixed as securely as possible, avoiding the appearance of deformations.
Plasterboard partitions
It is not recommended to mount the boiler on drywall. This material is not able to withstand increased loads. Installation is possible provided that at the stage of fixing the drywall, the sheets are formed behind the sheets to which the radiator is attached.It is also possible to arrange the load-bearing structure in which the anchors are inserted.
Drink
Installation on a wooden surface is associated with certain risks, since this material changes its configuration over time and deforms due to natural reasons. Therefore, the radiator must be fixed on a pre-installed metal screen.
In addition, it is recommended to place non-flammable materials behind the boiler, which will prevent the wood from igniting in the event of a short circuit.
Accompaniement
When attaching to the cladding, it is necessary to lay a non-combustible material between the boiler and the wall. And it is recommended to fix the anchors on which the water heater hangs on vertical beams or profile pipes hidden under the wooden trim.
Gypsum
It is not recommended to mount the water heater on plaster. If there is no other installation option, the boiler is fixed to the wall by means of two metal rails, one of which is fixed to the ceiling (floor beam) and the second - by means of dowels , on the wall.
Brick and cinder block
It is recommended that the water heater be secured to brick or cinder block walls using an anchor screw, studs or bolts. In this case, the walls should be thick enough.
Communications Login
Connection to the general water supply network is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- On the blue branch pipe from the boiler (designed to connect a pipe with cold water), a cable is wound, which is lubricated with a unipack.
- A tee is screwed onto the branch pipe, on the side of which a drain valve is then installed.
- The relief valve is screwed into the bottom of the tee with an arrow pointing down.
- A shut-off valve and threaded adapter are installed below.
- The second part of the hose connects to the cold water pipe.
After that, a shut-off valve and an adapter, to which the hose is connected, are screwed onto the red hose. The latter is then connected to the water supply.
Expert tips and tricks
In order to avoid overloading the electrical network, it is recommended to bring a separate line to the boiler connected to a 16 amp circuit breaker. The cross section is calculated based on the power of the device (1.5 millimeters for 3.5 kilowatts, 2.5 - 5.5, 4 - 7). Water heaters should be mounted on load-bearing walls, since the latter are able to withstand increased loads. In cases where a gas appliance is mounted, a separate air duct will be required, which is supplied directly to the column.