How to use a gas water heater - turn it on, light it up and check the draft. How to eliminate the most common malfunctions of a household gas water heater? How to check a gas water heater

It is better to entrust the installation of a gas water heater to the gas service of your region or a specialized organization.

Upon completion and at the time of installation, it is worth checking and paying attention to the following points:

The length of the flexible or rigid chimney from the column to the smoke exhaust shaft should not exceed more than 3 meters at two chimney angles of rotation of 90 degrees, if the number of turns is more than 2, the calculated length of the chimney should be taken as 3 meters minus 0.5 meters at an angle of rotation of 45 degrees and one meter at an angle of rotation of 90 degrees, respectively, and is a multiple of the number of turns. If this rule is not followed, a strong deterioration in traction or its absence is possible.

In addition to this rule, it is necessary to strictly observe the rule: the chimney from the column to the smoke exhaust shaft is installed in a constantly ascending direction of at least 3 degrees. The horizontal part of the chimney with a slope of 3 degrees should not exceed half the total length of the chimney. Compliance with these rules will provide quality conditions for traction and stable operation of the gas water heater.

The diameter of the chimney should not be less than the outlet of the gas column hood. Rigid chimneys with smooth inner walls, in comparison with flexible corrugated chimneys, provide better draft and less formation of soot and deposits on the inner walls of the chimney.

After installing the column, it is necessary to check the draft in the chimney: the check can be carried out with a lighted match or a candle - when the match is brought to the upper side louvers of the gas column at a distance of approximately 2 cm, the burning flame should deflect towards the column by approximately 45 degrees. If the flame deviates from the vertical position towards the gas column by 5-10 degrees, then this means that the draft is not sufficient. When the flame deviates in the opposite direction from the column, there is a reverse draft effect, if there is insufficient draft and the reverse draft effect, the column operation is unacceptable, you should call a specialized organization to clean the smoke shaft.

When cleaning the chimney, to prevent the ingress of soot and dirt into the room, disconnect the chimney from the connection to the chimney and temporarily close the outlet to prevent dirt from entering the apartment.

After installing the gas water heater, you need to start it for 5 minutes in operating mode and set the hot water temperature that is comfortable for you.

In the operating mode, there should be no leaks, drops coming from the column housing. The presence of moisture is permissible when the dew point is formed. In this situation, condensation may form, but condensation should also form on the cold water supply pipe.

When connecting gas and cold water, it is necessary to check that the master uses a second adjustable wrench. With the second adjustable wrench, the master fixes the fitting on a special platform and relieves the load from it when the gas and cold water leashes are twisted. This procedure is mandatory and prevents the appearance of mechanical damage and microcracks in the parts of the water-gas unit.

When connecting the hot water supply, it is necessary to apply sufficient force, but not excessive force, in order to avoid twisting the copper tube of the heat exchanger.After connecting the entire supply and starting the column in operation, no water leaks or drops should appear in the cold and hot water connections.

The gas connection points must be checked with soap foam (the bubble must not be inflated); checking with a match and open fire is not allowed.

When choosing a place for installing the column, you should pay attention to the fact that on the wall, at the place of installation of the gas water heater, there should be a non-combustible, fire-resistant material protruding beyond the dimensions of the column by 15 cm around the entire perimeter of the column. The nearest pieces of furniture or side walls should not be located closer than 15 cm to the column. It is not allowed to install columns with natural and forced draft without a recuperator pipe in closed niches and cabinets.

Regularly, at least once every six months, check the connection points of the gas supply with soap foam, in case of suspicion of a gas leak, shut off the gas supply to the apartment and call the gas service.

In houses built in Khrushchev's times and before that time, gas water heaters for heating water are not uncommon. The presence of such a unit in the house has its pros and cons. The advantage is that the owner can always use hot water and regulate its temperature at his own discretion. The disadvantage is that the appliance takes up some space in the bathroom or kitchen, even worse, it can always fail. If the owner of the house can perform the repair of gas water heaters on his own, then one significant disadvantage of such devices can be ignored.

To begin with, consider the device of a gas column. All gas-fired water heating devices are divided into two types: units with a closed and open combustion chamber. These compact fixtures are wall-mounted and connected to gas and water pipes. The device needs a separate ventilation duct.

The unit consists of the following units and parts:

water heating unit;
ignition system;
igniter;
frame;
set of sensors and safety valves;
burner.

Air is forced into devices with a closed combustion chamber. There is a small fan for this. The electronic control unit receives information from the sensors and processes it. The appliance heats up the water only when you open the hot water tap. The rest of the time he is in a waiting state.

The heat exchanger is designed as a thin copper coil. It warms up when you open the tap. When the valve is closed, the damper blocks the gas access, and the unit goes into standby mode. In this case, the ignition device in the device is constantly on. It goes out only when the gas pipeline is completely shut off. There are also devices with electronic ignition. They run on batteries. They do not have a constantly burning igniter, and ignition comes from a piezoelectric element.

Important! All units are equipped with an emergency shutdown system. It works in the absence of thrust, pressure drop, damping. Many devices have temperature sensors that limit the temperature of the heated fluid.

Switching on, temperature and pressure adjustment at the first start

The durability and efficiency of the device largely depend on the correct connection and setup. At the first start-up, you need to adjust the water supply according to the capacity of the heat exchanger (usually it is 6-12 liters). To do this, after installing the device, the hot water tap is opened and the required value is set on the toggle switch on the front panel.

In the presence of devices with a normal fluid pressure, the toggle switch is first set to maximum, and then, by adjusting the fuel supply, the required temperature is achieved. Gas supply adjustment is performed after connecting to the mains or installing batteries. The water and gas supply valves are opened, which causes the device to turn on automatically. Then the temperature is adjusted. Please note that the wear of the appliance depends on the set temperature. The higher it is, the faster the breakdown will occur. The optimum temperature is 50 ° C.

Attention! Since the water is heated gradually, hot liquid will not immediately flow out of the tap. The less the tap is open, the higher the water temperature and vice versa.

Devices operating on bottled fuel can only be adjusted by specialists, because for this it will be necessary to remove the seals and the body. Some devices are equipped with a summer-winter handle for economical gas consumption.

Checking the draft in the unit

The efficiency of the entire device depends on the efficiency of ventilation. Good draft is necessary for gas combustion and removal of combustion products. In the absence of traction, the sensors will inform the system about a failure, and it will turn off.

Each owner of such a device should know how to check the draft in the chimney of a gas column. To check the cravings at home, it is enough to bring a lighted match to the window in the column. The flame must deflect into the interior of the appliance. In the absence of traction, it is prohibited to operate the product.

DIY Needed Tools

For home repairs, you will need the following tools and materials:

a set of keys;
screwdrivers with flat and Phillips head;
sandpaper and file;
soldering iron;
necessary gaskets and spare parts.

Frequent faults

Simple appliances with open combustion chambers are suitable for self-repair. It is better not to repair expensive units with many electronic parts yourself, but to contact a service center. Also, refuse home repairs if the warranty period has not expired.

Self-repair of gas water heaters at home is performed in such cases:

startup problems;
leakage;
spontaneous shutdown.

Heat exchanger repair (scale or crack)

A crack in the heat exchanger can be soldered. If it is in an accessible place, then the heat exchanger does not even have to be removed. For repairs, drain all the water by shutting off its supply to the apartment, opening the hot water taps and unscrewing the union nut. After that, clean the place of the defect with sandpaper and degrease. Solder the crack with tin and rosin. Before starting, connect the water and check the quality of the repair work.

If the heat exchanger tube is clogged with scale, it is removed with a special flushing liquid. This problem is common in areas with hard water. For cleaning, the water is completely drained. A hose is connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger and flushing liquid is poured through it, wearing gloves. Before you rinse the gas column heat exchanger with your own hands, close all hot water taps. After 2 hours, the solution is drained from the heat exchanger into a bucket. For better cleaning, repeat the procedure two more times.

Advice! You can use acetic acid or citric acid instead of flushing liquid.

The column does not light up

If the unit with the hydroelectric generator does not ignite, then the problem is in the weak water pressure or its absence. If the ignition comes from the batteries, just try to replace them. Also, the problem may be associated with a centralized gas cutoff.

Sometimes the problem is associated with malfunctions in the functioning of the water unit, namely the valve that opens the gas supply. Usually, to fix the problem, you need to replace the diaphragm in this assembly.

After releasing the button, the igniter goes out

In units on manual ignition, such a malfunction is associated with the operation of the thermocouple. When you release the button, the wick simply goes out. The cause of the problem lies in the malfunctioning of the solenoid valve. But you cannot repair it yourself, you need to change the thermocouple.

Less often, the wick goes out due to the formation of carbon deposits. For repair, the part is removed and the hole is cleaned with a toothpick, which is moistened in kerosene.

Spontaneous column blanking

If, after starting, the column turns on, but after a while it goes out by itself, then the malfunction is associated with the water unit. With a good water pressure and a working valve, the fuel supply is cut off when the pressure decreases. The second possible reason for spontaneous shutdown is the lack of traction.

Less often, the malfunction is associated with the failure of the solenoid valve. To check its performance, the part is disconnected from the body without disconnecting from the wiring and removed to the outside. If the device continues to function, then the problem is not with the solenoid valve.

If you have ruled out all of the above reasons, then the problem is in the temperature sensor. To check its operation, you will need special equipment, so repairing the gas water heater with your own hands is impossible, you will have to seek help from specialists.

The unit does not heat the water

If the device does not heat water well with good pressure, then the problem is most likely associated with the formation of soot and carbon deposits on the outside of the heat exchanger. A layer of contaminants prevents the liquid from heating to the desired temperature and traps heat from gas burners. A similar effect is produced by limescale, so the heat exchanger must be regularly cleaned of various contaminants from the outside and inside.

Important! Additional reasons for a drop in water temperature are problems with the water unit and a weakening of gas pressure in the pipeline.

The reason for the weak pressure

A decrease in the pressure of hot water is observed when the water supply is clogged. This is usually a global problem that is related to the network as a whole. But sometimes the pressure is weakened when the filter mesh at the inlet to the water unit is clogged. Also, a blockage can form in the pipe going from the device to the tap. To eliminate the blockage, you need to organize the reverse movement of the liquid in the pipe and flush the plug.

Column radiator leaks

When water appears below the column, it can be argued that the radiator is leaking. Also, the problem of leakage can be associated with the loosening of the union nuts and the wear of the rubber gaskets. Any of the listed parts can be replaced. For appliances with a safety valve, this is often the problem. Also, leakage can occur due to cracks in the heat exchanger. The repair of the last malfunction was discussed above.

Replacing gaskets

Any rubber pads will wear out over time and need to be replaced. Due to the high temperature and intensity of use, they quickly lose their integrity. You can buy repair kits for speakers in gas stores or from authorized dealers.

The most difficult thing is to change the membrane of the water unit. It most often causes poor water heating. Features of replacing this part are described in detail in the video:

Cotton when turned on

A characteristic pop when the device is turned on indicates that a large amount of gas has accumulated inside. Due to the excess fuel, ignition occurs with a small explosion, which we hear as a pop. Typically, this microexplosion is caused by the downward movement of the spark plug. This happens due to frequent temperature changes. To raise the candle, it is enough to unscrew the nut holding it from below.

Sometimes popping occurs due to the use of low-quality gas. Owners of bottled fuel units sometimes face such a problem. If other residents also encountered claps of gas in an apartment building, then you should contact the gas supplier with claims.

Gas smell during operation

If you smell gas in the room where the column is located, contact the emergency service. Never try to fix the problem yourself. As soon as you smell gas fuel, turn off all electrical appliances and open windows and doors for ventilation. You should not be in a gas-polluted room.

Repair of popular varieties of gas water heaters

Many popular types of speakers face the problems listed above, but there are malfunctions that are specific to products from a particular manufacturer:

Bosch units ignite from batteries, so if you have problems with switching on, check their operation and replace if necessary. The main problem for the owners of these devices is associated with finding suitable replacement parts. They are quite expensive and not available in every store.
Vector products are also battery operated. The emergency system has rather demanding settings, therefore, at the slightest decrease in water or gas pressure, the column turns off. To remedy the situation, you need to adjust the settings manually. This can only be done by a master.
Fixtures brand Oasis They are of high build quality, so factory defects are rare. Most often, any malfunctions in operation are associated with improper installation and connection.
Junkers brand speakers most often encounter ignition problems. To eliminate them, you have to change the thermocouple and clean the ignition mechanism. The device needs annual descaling and replacement of filters at the inlet to the unit.

As you can see, many problems and malfunctions that gas instantaneous water heaters face can be easily solved on their own. The main condition is, do not repair the units themselves, the warranty period of which has not yet expired.

A gas water heater is a rather complex equipment that, with proper care and adherence to the basic rules of operation, can serve its owners for a long time. However, any equipment breaks down sooner or later, and gas water heaters are no exception. In accordance with the rules of safe operation, malfunctions of gas equipment should be eliminated exclusively by professional gas workers, however, there are a number of typical reasons (most often associated with the fact that the gas water heater worked normally and caught fire, but suddenly stopped lighting up) that can be determined and corrected independently. Knowing certain subtleties, it is quite possible to repair the gas column without the involvement of third-party craftsmen.

Diagram of a gas water heater without a chimney.

The gas column does not light up: possible causes

The most common reason that the gas water heater, which previously worked normally, does not light up now, may be the usual lack of draft in the ventilation well.

It is possible that a foreign object has entered your chimney. In addition, it can simply become clogged with soot that has accumulated during the operation of the unit. In such situations, a special protective system is triggered, which is installed inside the unit, and the gas supply is automatically shut off in the device itself.

Check the draft in the chimney. This is quite simple to do: you need to light a match and bring it to the well. If the flame deviates towards the well, then everything is fine, there are no problems with traction. It is enough just to eliminate the cause, after which the gas water heater will light up again and will work normally, that is, either clean the well with your own hands, or call the appropriate master for this.

Diagram of a gas column device.

Another common reason that the gas water heater does not light up may be due to low battery power. However, this is only true for equipment with an automatic ignition system. It is noteworthy that, contrary to the assurances of manufacturing companies, which for the most part claim that the service life of replaceable batteries is 1 year, they have to be changed much more often. In order for the gas water heater to catch fire, in this case, of course, it is necessary to change the batteries.

If none of the above cases match yours and you are interested in why the column does not work as it should, check the water pressure. Very often, the gas water heater does not light up due to insufficient water pressure. This can be checked quite simply: open a cold water tap and observe the pressure. If it is small, then the reason may not be in the column itself, but in the entire water supply system or in some separate section of it.

If the pressure of cold water is stronger than the pressure in the hot tap, then the reason may lie directly in the water unit of the gas water heater, for example, if the membrane is deformed or the filters are clogged. Quite often, the coarse filters additionally included in the system become the cause.

To eliminate this malfunction, you must first of all call the utility service to find out why there is no normal water pressure. After that, it is necessary to rinse the cleaning filters or replace it in the mixer. you can leave a request to the utility service to flush the water pipes. The column must be cleaned of soot and other combustion products. It may be necessary to replace the membrane of the water unit of the unit.

Quite often it happens that the gas column ignites, but does not work, but immediately goes out. In this situation, it is necessary to adjust the supply of cold and hot water. Remember not to try to dilute hot water with cold water, as this will quickly extinguish the flame. Among other things, such actions violate the rules for operating the gas column.

How to flush a gas water heater?

Table of capacities of a smokeless gas water heater.

Sometimes, in order to understand why the gas water heater no longer lights up, you need to disassemble it, and if the reason for the equipment malfunctioning is the accumulated scale, rinse it. Prepare the tools required for the job:

Pipe wrench.
Adjustable wrench.
Flat and Phillips screwdriver.
A set of spare paronite gaskets.
Rubber hose (usually ½ inch) with a metal clamp.
Descaling agent.
Basin.

First, you need to remove the fittings (handles, etc.) from the gas water heater, and then remove the casing. Then you need to decide on the water supply pipes. Be careful at this stage not to accidentally touch the gas. Further, it is most often advised to remove the heat exchanger and rinse it outside the column. However, you can act differently.

After the casing is removed from the gas water heater, it is necessary to shut off the water supply at the inlet and open any of the hot water taps, preferably the one that is installed closest to the column. Further, it is necessary to unscrew the supply pipe from the heat exchanger of the water heater and take it slightly to the side. The heat exchanger is made of copper and the tube allows you to do this effortlessly. As soon as the nut is unscrewed from the heat exchanger, water starts to leave it - the tap is open. Not a lot of water needs to be drained, about 1 liter. You will find more accurate values in the instructions for your unit.

Further actions are as follows: a hose is put on the inlet of the heat exchanger, rises above the column, a funnel is inserted into the hose, and the prepared solution for descaling is gradually poured into it, in a thin stream. Pour the solution gradually, as otherwise a reaction may start and the solution will be pushed back. The solution contains hydrochloric acid, which, if handled carelessly, can cause burns. Especially you need to protect your eyes.

The descaling solution must be left in the heat exchanger for about 2 hours (the exact time is indicated in the instructions for the product). If the gas was not turned off, and it was not said that this should be done, you can carefully try to warm up the solution on a burning igniter. As a result, the reaction will go faster and it will take less time to clean.

Water consumption table for a smokeless gas water heater.

You should put some kind of basin or bucket under the tap, after which you can open the water supply to the gas water heater, just do it slowly. See what comes out of the hose. If a lot of sludge came out and the pressure increased after flushing, then everything went fine. If not, you will have to repeat the column wash again. However, in the case of using modern high-quality tools, you most likely will not have to do this. If you have not found a suitable product, you can prepare its analogue yourself, for example, by mixing 100 g of citric acid and 500 ml of water.

The catch in this case is that the gas water heater has not only a heat exchanger, but also a number of other parts. The heat exchanger itself is made of copper, and, by and large, nothing will happen to it, but the so-called. the gearbox is usually made of aluminum and can be damaged. Therefore, if you cannot find a product specifically designed for flushing and you will use a homemade one instead, it is better to remove the heat exchanger and rinse it separately.

Of course, in the case of a complete disassembly of the heat exchanger of a gas water heater, you will have to do a lot of unnecessary work, but this way you will be sure that you will not spoil it for sure. It is possible to flush the flow path of the gas column, which does not ignite due to a blockage, by other means, however, you need to be careful in any experiments.

Why doesn't the main burner light up?
It also happens that the main burner of the column does not ignite, although the pilot burner is working normally. This can be caused by several factors. It is necessary to consider these causes in order of their likelihood.

Diagram of a column burner without a chimney.

Incorrectly executed water supply. If the main burner does not ignite during the first start-up after installing the gas water heater, then the reason for this is most likely due to the incorrect connection of the pipes. To eliminate this defect, it is necessary to correctly connect the water pipes.

Damage or complete failure of the membrane. This defect can be eliminated by simply replacing the rubber membrane.

Clogging of the filter in the hydraulic group (water fittings) or clogging of the mesh of the mixer divider. The problem is solved by cleaning the mesh of the mixer or the filter of the hydraulic group.

Insufficiently high inlet water pressure. To eliminate this defect, it is necessary to increase the inlet pressure. You can try to adjust the water heater by adjusting it with the pressure regulator to a minimum. After that, the column should work fine.

The water flow is less than the minimum allowed. To solve the problem, you need to increase the flow of water.

The gas pressure in the system is less than the minimum. The solution to the problem will require an increase in gas pressure. Few know that flexible gas supply hoses significantly reduce gas pressure on the appliance. So, it is better not to install flexible gas hoses longer than 3 m.

The geyser goes out after a few minutes of operation

Gas column connection diagram.

A fairly common defect when the geyser turns off a few minutes after it is turned on. It is characteristic that, as a rule, the pilot and main burners are turned off in just a few minutes after starting. So why does the gas column go out? The only option is the emergency operation of the flue gas sensor, which, in fact, opens the thermocouple. Another option, but extremely unlikely, is the breakdown of the sensor itself, but if its resistance is infinity, then everything is in order with the sensor.

If the gas water heater goes out, you need to check the chimney. A failure of the flue gas sensor mentioned earlier indicates that the gases are removed very poorly or not at all. And this is fraught with carbon monoxide poisoning. The breakdown is very serious. First of all, you need to check the chimney. Moreover, it is better if specialists are engaged in this. However, until a specialist from the relevant organization comes, you can independently check if someone from your neighbors has installed a satellite dish on the chimney, because this equipment may interfere with the normal operation of the chimney. Installation of satellite dishes on chimneys is prohibited.

The flue gas sensor can also be triggered if a high-performance hood is installed in the same room as the gas water heater, which forces flue gases to be removed inappropriately, i.e. through the chimney, but directly into the room. It is strictly forbidden to install gas water heaters and hoods in the same room.

The gas column goes out after releasing the ignition button during switching on

The principle of operation of the gas column.

If the gas column goes out (the igniter flame goes out), then the reason, first of all, may be that you did not hold the ignition button for long enough. The ignition button must be held for about 20 seconds.

The column can also go out due to a breakdown of the flue gas sensor. To check the functionality of the flue gas sensor, disconnect the sensor wiring terminals and ring it. The resistance of a normally operating sensor should be equal to infinity. If this is not the case, then the sensor should be replaced.

The ignition burner can also go out due to a breakdown of the thermocouple. To determine a thermocouple malfunction, disconnect the terminals of the sensors and measure the thermocouple voltage with the igniter pressed. The voltage should not exceed 10 mV.

The flame of the ignition burner can also go out due to the breakdown of the solenoid valve, the work of which is best left to a qualified technician.

Why doesn't the pilot burner flame ignite?

Water pressure diagram.

If it is not possible to ignite the flame of the pilot burner, when the column turns off without starting, there can be quite a few reasons for this. The following will list the possible causes of such a breakdown in order of increasing likelihood of their occurrence.

The reason for such a defect may be a closed gas valve. To fix a defect, you just need to open it.

The next reason is that the gas fittings of the column and the gas pipeline are aired. A characteristic symptom of this malfunction is the whistle from the pilot burner nozzle. To eliminate the defect, unscrew the nut securing the ignition gas pipe to the fitting. After that, press the ignition button on the gas valve, then bleed the air until a characteristic smell of gas appears. After the gas has been supplied, the pipe must be screwed on.

Another possible cause is flame separation. This defect is indicated by the characteristic whistle from the burner nozzle. In this case, it is necessary to try to adjust the gas pressure on the burner using the screw. In addition, the installation of the wrong nozzle, which is not designed for this type of gas, can cause the flame to burst. The problem can be solved by replacing the injector.

And another possible reason is the ingress of dirt or a foreign object into the gas supply path from the valve to the ignition burner. The absence of whistling can be a sign of this defect. To eliminate the defect, it is necessary to clean the nozzle or gas burner. If it is impossible to perform cleaning, the defect can be eliminated by replacing the gas valve.

The spark is missing: causes and possible solutions
A missing spark is one of the most common causes of a gas water heater malfunction. If a spark does not appear when the button is pressed, the causes of this malfunction may lie in the absence of contact between the current-carrying wire and the piezoelectric element. If the contact is present, then the malfunction must be looked for directly in the piezo ignition button. You can make sure that this button is working properly by bringing the opposite end of the current-carrying wire closer to the speaker case. If, after clicking, a spark appears on the body, then the piezo ignition button works normally.

If a spark is present, but not on the igniter, then the cause of this defect may be a malfunction of the current-carrying wire. Change the wire if necessary. A similar malfunction can be triggered by damage to the ignition electrode.

Other common problems
A malfunction such as the lack of ignition is often accompanied by or is a consequence / cause of other malfunctions that you also need to be aware of.

For example, pops and micro-explosions accompanying the switching on of equipment may occur due to insufficient draft in the ventilation duct due to clogging of the nozzle or other elements of the water heater, due to discharge of batteries for ignition of equipment, due to too strong inflow of gas. To eliminate this malfunction, you need to clean the chimney, for which you should make a call to the utility service and call the chimney sweeps, or replace the batteries. In all other cases, it is better to contact specialists to solve the problems that have arisen.

Remember also that when you turn on the gas column, you should not hear the characteristic smell of gas. If there is one, then you must immediately close the gas valve and very carefully ventilate the room, after which it is imperative to call the gas service. In no case try to repair such damage yourself.

When the gas water heater is turned on, a characteristic sound must be heard. So, if the unit simply does not want to ignite, listen and try to understand if gas is coming in. In the absence of a characteristic sound, it can be concluded that no gas is supplied. This defect is solved by calling the gas industry or the public service. You need to ask if any repair work is currently being carried out on your site. If no work is being carried out, it is necessary to call the gasman.

And the last common malfunction may be that the equipment ignites, but does not heat the water or heats it very poorly. There may be several reasons for this. First of all, the situation can develop this way due to the low power of the equipment, to clarify which you should refer to the passport of the unit installed in your house, study its technical characteristics, etc.

In addition, the water may not heat up well enough due to the usual clogging of the water heater, a sign of which is a change in the color of the flame and the appearance of soot under the column during operation.

The water will not heat well even if the supply gas pressure is low (insufficient).

To solve this problem, you need to try to adjust the tap on the hot water supply. If this does not give any changes, you will need to call the master, call the gas service, or try to clean the column yourself. The cleaning instructions have been given above.

Here is the whole list of possible typical breakdowns of a gas column that you can fix yourself. However, if you are not completely sure of your own knowledge of the device of this unit, or if you do not have suitable tools for repairing a gas water heater with your own hands, it is better to contact professional, experienced and qualified craftsmen with this question.

The use of flow-through gas columns has certain features.

Therefore, for the trouble-free service of such a device, it is worth following the rules of its use. Safety also depends on this.

In contact with

Fundamental rules

First of all, you need to remember that any devices using gas have an increased level of danger.

The same applies to the operation of gas water heaters. Therefore, they are subject to handling rules similar to other household gas appliances.

So, if suddenly you smell gas:

Turn off the gas supply immediately.
In order to quickly reduce the gas concentration, it is necessary to open the windows and ventilate the room.
Until the house / apartment is completely ventilated, do not use any electrical appliances or light a fire.
After that, you need to call the gas service.

It's important to know: installation, as well as connection or transfer of the gas water heater can only be certified specialists, in accordance with the project documentation approved by the gas industry.

Most often, the user manual comes with the device itself. So, if you have an open-type gas water heater installed, then:

Do not light a fire in the burner and use it in the event of a reverse draft in the chimney or the absence of such at all.
Without first studying the instructions, it is forbidden to turn on the device or set fire to the gas using the "scientific poke" method.
In the room where such a unit was installed, there must be a constant flow of air.
It is strictly forbidden to make any changes to the design of the gas water heater.
To avoid burns, you must avoid touching the parts of the front panel located next to the viewing slot, as well as the elements of the chimney.

Note: it is better to turn on an open-type gas water heater at a low heating power and at the same time do not use mixers to obtain hot water. The reason is that in the case of strong heating of the heat exchanger, an intensive process of deposition of salts occurs.

Traction check

In this case, we are talking about options for gas columns with an open combustion chamber.

It is also worth noting that modern versions of atmospheric speakers often already have automatic security systems (most Astra, Bosh and Vaillant models). They do not allow the column to be started in the absence of traction, and also turn it off if it disappears during operation.

However, you should not rely on the fact that automation will give you a 100% guarantee of safety. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to check the traction yourself. For this, professionals use special measuring devices that assess the presence and strength of air movement (draft).

But an ordinary person is unlikely to find such devices at home. Therefore, the usual "old-fashioned" methods are used:

The first method assumes that you need to remove the front part of the device and, taking a small strip of paper, bring it to the chimney. If there is a pull, then the paper will be pulled inward a little.
The second option is simpler and does not require any manipulations with the device itself. It will be enough to light a match, and then bring it directly to the viewing window, which is located on the front panel. In the event that the flame is drawn into it, this will mean the presence of thrust.

Good to know: quite common situations when the chimney is working properly, but there is no draft. This may be due to the fact that there is no air flow into the room, which is why there is no draft (air movement). To check this, you can close windows and doors during normal operation of the chimney and check the draft.

How to turn on

First of all, it should be noted that device options that have a closed chamber or an automatic ignition system are very easy to start.

The situation is different with models with an open camera. The reason is that in order to properly ignite the column, you first need to turn on the igniter.

To do this, open the gas valve and press the manual piezo ignition button, after which the wick is ignited. Then, using the regulator, the required temperature level is set.

Note: when starting any model, there must be water in the heat exchanger. Therefore, you must not forget to turn on the water before starting the column.

In the case of a device with an automatic ignition system, the actions should be as follows:

First, you need to insert the batteries into the compartment.
Then open the gas cock.
Now the hot tap opens, due to which the burner itself will ignite. In this case, the igniter will act as an intermediary, which is turned on exclusively during the start of the gas burner.

There are times when, after the first start-up or a long interruption in operation, a so-called airlock can form in the gas turbine. It can be eliminated without problems by carrying out the ignition procedure several times in a row.

Using modern gas water heaters is, by and large, not difficult. The most important thing is to constantly observe all the safety rules indicated here, and also to prevent excessive heating of the heat exchanger.

Watch a detailed video instruction on how to properly light an open-type gas water heater:

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From the author: Hello friends! A gas water heater is a rather complex design, consisting of many elements. Each of them plays an important role in the operation of the device. In the event of a breakdown of some of these elements, the problem is visible immediately, this does not require any testing. But how to check the draft sensor for the gas water heater? And what is this part for at all? This is exactly what will be discussed in today's article.

In general, a gas water heater is an excellent heating device. It is not for nothing that it is the most popular among owners of both apartments and private houses. The boiler is highly efficient, does not require too complicated maintenance, and the fuel used usually costs literally a penny.

The only drawback of this equipment is the possible danger of its operation in the event of any malfunctions. Everyone knows that a gas leak, for example, can have dire consequences, up to an explosion, destruction of a house and death of people. Therefore, each element of the column must work perfectly, any malfunction must be corrected immediately, and a component that is categorically out of order must be replaced.

Therefore, it is extremely important to detect a breakdown in a timely manner. For this, regular checks of the system are carried out, and, as a rule, they are carried out by specialists of the gas service. But you yourself can periodically examine some of the elements on which the safety of people living in the house depends. One of these parts of the structure is the thrust sensor.

The principle of the sensor

The gas boiler works by burning blue fuel. Naturally, combustion products are released in this case. If they get into the room, then this is fraught with severe poisoning of all residents of the house, up to and including death. Therefore, the design of the column provides for connection to a chimney, through which all harmful substances are removed to the street.

Naturally, for a high-quality drainage, the ventilation shaft must have an impeccable draft. But it so happens that some kind of violation occurs - for example, the chimney can become clogged with debris or soot. If, in such a situation, the boiler stubbornly continues to burn fuel, then the combustion products will inevitably go into the house.

To prevent this, an element such as a chimney draft sensor is included in the design of a gas boiler. It is located in the place that is between the ventilation duct and the equipment case. The type of sensor depends on the type of boiler:

in a boiler with an open combustion chamber a safety sensor is a metal plate to which a contact is connected. This plate is the indicator that monitors the rise in temperature. The fact is that normally evacuated gases are usually heated to 120-140 degrees. If the outflow is disturbed, and they begin to accumulate, then this value increases. The metal of which the plate is made reacts to this situation and expands. The contact attached to the element is displaced and shuts off the gas valve. Thus, the combustion process stops, and at the same time the entry of a new portion of harmful substances is prevented;
in a boiler with a closed combustion chamber Products are removed via a coaxial channel, and a fan is used. The sensor in this case is a pneumatic relay with a membrane. It reacts not to temperature, but to flow rate. As long as it is within the permissible range, the membrane is bent, and the contacts are in a closed position. When the flow rate becomes weaker than necessary, the diaphragm straightens, the contacts open, and this leads to the shutdown of the gas supply valve.

As you can see, if the traction sensor is triggered by turning off the gas water heater, this means some kind of malfunction in the equipment. For example, it could be:

initially poor quality traction. This is the first and foremost reason a sensor can be triggered. As a rule, this phenomenon is associated with improper installation of the exhaust structure. If the combustion products are poorly drawn out, then this poses a danger to all living things in the house;
reverse thrust. This phenomenon occurs when an air lock forms in the chimney. Gases, which normally should move to the very top of the pipe and then go outside, cannot overcome this obstacle and return back, filling the room. The backdraft effect can occur if the chimney insulation is very poor. The temperature difference leads to the formation of air locks;
chimney clogging. It may seem to inexperienced owners that the pipe that goes out to the roof simply cannot be clogged with anything. In fact, there are many factors that lead to the formation of a blockage. The first one is birds. They can make nests on the pipe, which then fall down. And the birds themselves often manage to get stuck in the chimney, and then die there. In addition to birds, one should also take into account the possibility of falling, for example, leaves, as well as the deposition of soot on the inner walls of the pipe. If the chimney is clogged, the draft becomes too low, and there is only one way out - cleaning;
strong wind. If the pipe is not properly positioned, bursts can enter the pipe and blow out the burner. Naturally, in such cases, the sensor shuts off the fuel supply. To avoid this hazard, a stabilizer must be purchased and installed.

Functionality check

All of the above can be summarized in one whole: the sensor is necessary in order to shut off the fuel supply in the event of a hazard - such as a gas leak or poor evacuation of combustion products. If this is not done, then very sad consequences are possible.

Carbon monoxide poisoning has already been discussed more than once. It very often leads to death, and it is definitely not worth joking with it. And in the event that the burner suddenly goes out, but the gas continues to flow, sooner or later an explosion will occur. In general, it is clear that the sensor is vital.

But he can fully perform his functions only in good condition. It is common for any equipment to fail periodically. The breakdown of this part will not affect the external condition of the boiler, therefore it is very important to regularly check the functionality of the element. Otherwise, you risk noticing the problem only when it is too late.

There are several methods for checking:

attach a mirror in the area where the sensor is installed. During the operation of the gas column, it should not fog up. If it remains clean, then everything is in order;
partially block the chimney with a damper. In case of normal operation, the sensor should instantly react and turn off the boiler. For safety reasons, do not test for too long to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

If, in both cases, testing has shown that everything is in order, then the item under test is ready at any time to respond to an unforeseen situation and turn off the gas supply. But there is also another type of malfunction - when the sensor is triggered just like that.

If you carefully checked the draft level and other points, but the boiler still turns off, this means that the control element is not working correctly. You can additionally test it as follows.

Disconnect the element and ring it with an ohmmeter. The resistance of a working sensor should be equal to infinity. If this is not the case, then the part is out of order. There is only one way to correct the situation - it is necessary to replace the broken element.

Some homeowners in situations where the sensor suddenly begins to constantly interrupt the fuel supply in the absence of visible problems with the chimney draft, decide to simply turn off this element. Of course, after that, the column starts to work smoothly.

But such actions are a direct violation of safety measures during the operation of gas equipment. Having disconnected the sensor, you cannot be sure that everything is in order with the draft, and that carbon monoxide does not begin to fill the room. It's definitely not worth the risk. It is better to check the performance of the part using the methods described above. You can also get information on this issue from the video posted above. Good luck to you and a safe and warm home!