Instructions for repairing a water heater and how to disassemble it yourself
Installing a water heater in a private apartment, country house and other premises simplifies a number of household chores. In case of mechanical damage or violation of the rules of operation, it may be necessary to repair the water heater.
Content
Design and principle of operation
An electric water heater is a device designed for the autonomous supply of a property with hot water. Often, owners of apartments in multi-storey buildings install heaters in order to freely use water during periods of planned shutdown of centralized hot water supply. The principle of operation depends on the specific type of equipment. Therefore, when choosing, you must first familiarize yourself with the technical characteristics.
Flow
Instantaneous heaters are suitable for use in the event of a rare and brief interruption of the hot water supply. The liquid passes through the heating element and becomes hotter, so the device is able to dispense any amount of water without restriction.It is important to take into account that the water will be warm, not hot, and it will not be possible to connect several taps at the same time.
As a rule, circulation structures are optimally used in the kitchen.
Accumulation
The storage model is characterized by increased dimensions and is made in the form of a tank connected to pipes. Cold water first enters the tank, then it is heated inside to the set temperature. Domestic storage heaters are rated for the following characteristics:
- economical fluid consumption;
- the ability to always have a supply of hot water at a temperature of 60-90 degrees;
- ease of use and selection of heating temperature;
- universal use - installation is possible in the house, offices, in the country.
Common do-it-yourself breakdowns and repair methods
It is possible to encounter equipment malfunctions due to factory defect, external mechanical impact or improper operation. Most faults can be fixed on your own by following step-by-step instructions. To get a general idea of possible problem situations, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the most common types of breakdowns.
Heating element
The failure of the heating element is typical for all models of instantaneous and storage water heaters. This element works under a high load and therefore wears out in a short time. If the equipment is connected to electricity, but the liquid does not heat up, it is necessary to diagnose the heating element. The voltage indicator at the cable connection points is checked using a tester.
If electricity is supplied and the cable is in good condition, you will need to remove the heating element for further inspection and repair.
How the heating element is attached inside the device depends on the manufacturer. In many boilers, it is enough to unscrew the fastening nut with a standard key and remove the metal wedge.First, the cover with the heating element is slightly immersed, and then turned over and removed to the side, because it has a curved shape.
Cleaning
After removing the heating element from the structure and finding traces of scale on it, it must be cleaned. The most reliable option is chemical cleaning. To remove scale, the spiral is placed in a solution of hot water with citric acid or vinegar essence. For 2 liters of liquid, use 50 g of citric acid or 100 ml of vinegar.
You can also use specialty products sold at household chemical stores to fight scale. With a large amount of scale, it will completely dissolve within 24 hours. To speed up the process, it is permissible to pour the solution into a metal container, place the spiral inside and put on low heat. After completing the cleaning, it is necessary to rinse the heating element and install it in its original place.
Replacement
If descaling does not solve the problem, the element may need to be replaced. Before disassembling the device, you must turn off the water supply. As a rule, the valve for cutting off the pressure is located next to the boiler. In its absence, it is worth blocking the riser. After that, the replacement is carried out according to the following instructions:
- drain all fluid from the reservoir if a storage variety is used;
- disconnect the device from the power supply;
- remove the protection panel using a screwdriver;
- check the voltage at the terminals using a phase meter;
- remove the heating element from the supports and take it out of the box;
- install a new heating element.
In order not to be mistaken in the subsequent assembly of the structure, it is recommended to take photographs of the working process. After placing a new part, assembly is carried out in the reverse order. After completing the work, you need to check the equipment for cold water supply, as leaks may occur due to weak fastening. If there is no problem and all the air is exhausted through the hot water switch, you can connect the device to the network and start operation.
Thermostat
To check the condition of the thermostat removed from the water heater, the adjustment knob is pushed to the stop and the measurement is carried out using a tester at the input and output of the device. If the arrow on the tester is static, the thermostat is broken and the element needs to be replaced. If the arrow deviates, you need to continue diagnostics, set the minimum value and attach the tester probes to the contacts. Then the end of the temperature sensor is heated. A decrease in resistance on the scale of the tester indicates the possibility of maintenance, and if not, a replacement is also made.
It is important to take into account that the device may stop working in automatic mode due to the activation of the safety valve due to severe overheating.
In this situation, to restore stable operation of the device, you need to correctly set the temperature level.
Malfunction of the electronic control unit
If the diagnosis of the water heater showed that the heating element and the thermostat are in good condition, there are probably problems with the control board. It is extremely difficult to repair the electronics box yourself in a domestic environment, so it is best to replace it.
When installing a new electronic water heater control unit, you will need to call in a specialist. This is due to the need to configure electronic equipment. The best way to solve the problem is to contact the service center of the company that produced the water heater. Employees of the service center will select the necessary element for the water heater and competently carry out the installation in a short time.
Tank leak
The presence of a leak is an insoluble problem, due to which it is often necessary to change the entire tank of the water heater.In a number of situations, the place of leakage can be sealed, but it is important to ensure the integrity of the outer shell and the thermal insulation layer. Moreover, such measures are often temporary in nature and the water heater leak reoccurs. A tank leak occurs for the following reasons:
- mechanical damage to the water heater;
- incorrect operation of the heating element;
- abrasion of the insulation pad.
If water leaks from the place where the heating element is attached, it is enough to install a special gasket, since the leak can be caused by its damage. You need to buy a new gasket and put it in place of the old one. Before buying a new gasket, it is recommended to first check the dimensions to buy an analogue.
In situations where professional inspection and diagnostics of the water heater indicate mechanical damage to the tank, it is worth contacting the service center. It is impossible to use a water heater tank with a leak, as this can cause new failures to appear.
When is it worth contacting specialists
It is recommended to use the help of specialists from the service center in case of breakdowns of water heaters that are difficult to eliminate yourself. You should also ask for help if you are unsure of your own abilities. Repair or replacement of internal components of the water heater in the service center is carried out with a quality guarantee, which is an additional advantage.
Tips & Tricks
To extend the operating time of the equipment, it is worth buying it only from trusted manufacturers. After buying a water heater, you should carefully read the operating instructions, which will help you avoid common mistakes.
To improve the quality of water entering the water heater tank, cleaning filters should be installed. To remove impurities from the liquid, multi-stage cleaning devices allow.
It is recommended that a routine inspection of the water heater be performed annually. Periodic maintenance allows you to find a problem in a timely manner and deal with it, without spending a lot of time and money.
Rules of maintenance and operation
The basic rule for the use of a water heater is the periodic replacement of the magnesium anode. The element is an anti-corrosion rod that protects the inner ball from rusting. The life of the anode depends on the type of water heater and varies from 3 to 8 years. Also, the maintenance of the equipment consists in preserving the apparatus for the winter when it is used in the countryside.This is due to the fact that when it freezes, the water will turn into ice and there will be a risk of damage to the tank.