The column does not heat the water well: the reasons and the help of specialists

Gas column device

A gas water heater is a rather complicated device that, with proper care and adherence to the rules of operation, can last a long time. But sooner or later, certain malfunctions of the gas column may occur. Especially considering the quality of gas and water supplied by utilities to apartments and houses.

When choosing a gas water heater, you need to familiarize yourself with the difference between models, which may differ not only in appearance, but also in power when heating water.

In accordance with safety rules, breakdowns of gas appliances should be trusted only by professional gas workers, but it is necessary to be aware of some common reasons due to which the gas water heater does not function as needed.

Knowing some of the subtleties, you can determine the cause of the problem before the arrival of specialists, and in some cases, repair the gas column yourself.

What are the malfunctions of gas water heaters? First you need to find out how the gas water heater is arranged, in many respects the repair will depend on the device. Here are the general principles of how it works.

Diagram of connecting a gas column to utilities: 1 - gas pipe; 2 - gas valve; 3 - water valve; 4 - cold water pipe; 5 - hot water pipe; 6 - column controls; 7 - column case; 8 - chimney pipe.

The work of the geyser consists in heating tap water with gas. To accelerate heating, a heat exchanger serves, in which the flow of water is distributed through thin tubes located directly above the gas burner. Due to this, it turns out to heat the water quickly enough, directly during use, it is not necessary to accumulate the heated water in advance in the tank.

This is the main device of the gas water heater, the rest of the filling is designed to regulate water heating, ensure safety, and ignite gas. Ignition of the main burner is:

piezo ignition without igniter;
from the igniter. A constantly burning igniter is turned on by piezo ignition (manual or automatic from a button) or manually ignited from a match (in old Soviet columns);
electronic ignition. In its principle and structure, it is similar to the ignition of a car.

Almost any column is equipped with an elementary device - a mechanical connection between a valve in a gas pipe and a membrane in a water intake device. The gas valve will only open when the water pressure pushes the diaphragm with sufficient force. The principle is simple: no water - no gas is supplied to the burner, water turns on - the burner turns on.

Diagnostics and troubleshooting

Diagnostics of a gas heater includes a thorough examination of it to detect possible causes that led to a decrease in the efficiency of the device, and their subsequent elimination.

Clogged chimney

The first reason why the water is barely warm or does not heat up at all is a blockage in the ventilation of the gas column.

Important! The chimney, clogged with smoke, soot or other debris, cannot provide the draft necessary for operation, therefore the protective systems of the water heater stop the gas supply.

You can determine such a malfunction by substituting a lighted match to the ventilation hole. If the flame burns evenly, without hesitation, this means that there is no thrust. Falling black soot flakes also support this version. Another sign is that the fire burns with a yellow flame. This situation arises when there is no regular cleaning of the column.

You can fix this malfunction with your own hands, for this you need to clean the ventilation well from soot, debris and other foreign objects. To check the chimney for draft after work, you can take a burning candle or lighter and bring it to the ventilation. If the flame deviates significantly, then there is a thrust.

Heat exchanger wear

With prolonged operation, the heat exchanger wears out and may leak. This is typical for parts of poor quality, in which the element is not made of pure copper, but with impurities. In places of impurities, the surface is oxidized, and fistulas appear.

Advice! If the cracks or holes are small, you can try to solder them, but the best solution is to completely replace the heat exchanger.

Ignition system problem

If the flame does not burn in a Bosch or Neva column with automatic ignition and the water does not heat up, it is necessary to check the condition of the batteries. They tend to regularly discharge and fail, and sometimes oxidize. In some cases, you may get defective batteries. To check the ignition system, you need to change the batteries and, if the problem persists, diagnose the button that supplies a spark to ignite the gas.

Insufficient head

Sometimes the gas water heater may not perform its functions due to the fact that the protection system from being turned on without water is triggered. This can happen with poor pressure in the pipes of the centralized water supply. To be sure of this reason, you need to open the tap with cold water and look at the stream. If it really does not flow well, then there are problems in the water supply system.

To remedy the situation, you must first call the utility service and find out if they are carrying out maintenance or repair work. If the answer is negative, you should clean the filters at the entrance to the gas water heater and / or to the water supply system in the house from dirt and debris.

Advice! To clear the pipes from blockages in an apartment building, you must leave a request with the utilities.

In addition to these actions, you need to clean the gas water heater from soot and dust, and also check the membrane for integrity and proper functioning, and, if necessary, install a new part.

Water supply disturbances

Such a breakdown is rare and indicates an incorrect setting of the water heater. If the flame ignites, but immediately or after a short time goes out, this indicates an imbalance in the hot and cold water supply system.

Advice! On many forums, you can read the opinion of experts that it is not recommended to mix cold water with hot water during the operation of the water heater, since this does not comply with the rules for operating the device, and also leads to the damping of the flame.

To eliminate this problem, you need to reduce the flow of cold water.

Sealing diaphragm defective

If the diaphragm installed in the check valve has worked for a long time, it can cause a malfunction of the gas column. Due to regular loads and constant work, it is common for the node to deform. As a result, the burner ignition sensor becomes less sensitive, gas does not flow to the burner, and the flame goes out. It is impossible to prevent such a breakdown, even the highest quality membranes gradually lose their elasticity in the process of functioning.... Column manufacturers, like service specialists, advise replacing this part every five to seven years of continuous operation.

You can make sure that the cause of the breakdown lies precisely in the membrane by turning on the water flow to the maximum. If the gas burner goes out, the diagnosis can be considered confirmed. To fix the malfunction, you will need to replace the part.

The flame goes out

If the gas column ignites properly, but goes out during operation, this may indicate a breakdown of the bimetallic sensor. It is designed to measure temperature in order to protect the water heater from overheating. Such a malfunction can manifest itself in different ways.

In some cases, the device turns on, heats the water, but soon goes out, and it is impossible to start it up again. After about ten minutes, the column turns on again, works and goes out again after a short time. This is due to the increased sensitivity of the bimetallic sensor.
In other cases, the column lights up and after an arbitrary time goes out without visible dependence. It is impossible to guess how long it will work properly. This failure is usually caused by damaged wiring. Due to broken insulation, short circuits to the case occur, and the fuse also trips.

Important! Failures in the operation of the bimetallic sensor cannot be eliminated by yourself. In this situation, you need to seek help from professionals.

In some cases, overheating of the device occurs in summer due to extreme heat and stuffiness in the bathroom (or in another room). This is not a defect, but to prevent blackouts, the speaker can be moved to another room or you can seek professional advice.

Scale

Another reason why a Beretta, Junkers, Vektor or other manufacturer's column does not heat water or does not heat up, but very badly, is scale on the heat exchanger. In this case, the gas enters the device in the required volume, the pressure is good, and the water moves in the system in the required amount, but it will not be able to warm up more than 34 degrees.

The appearance of scale is explained by the contact of metal elements of equipment with hard water or the operation of the igniter.... After the central system is turned off, but the igniter fire is on, the heat exchanger evaporates the remaining moisture, thereby increasing the amount of scale. Since running water does not wash away such plaque, it accumulates and adheres tightly to the walls. When there is a lot of scale, the heat exchanger stops heating up, which means that the column stops heating water. To fix the breakdown, it is necessary to rinse the heating element in a special solution. To do this, you can contact a specialist or try to do it yourself.

Advice! To clean the heat exchanger from scale, you will need a special agent. You can use household chemicals that eliminate limescale, or table vinegar or citric acid.

To disassemble the column, you need screwdrivers, a set of keys, silicone gaskets corresponding to the diameter of the pipe, as well as a tube and funnel for pouring the solution into the heat exchanger. So, to disassemble the water heater, you need to remove the regulators and other accessories, unscrew the fasteners and remove the case, then turn off the tap at the inlet to the device and open the hot water valve located near the column. Next, unscrew the nut, remove the incoming water pipe from the heat exchanger and drain the remaining water, the amount of which can be from a liter to one and a half.

After that, you need to connect a rubber tube with a funnel to the coil, place it above the device and gradually pour up to two liters of descaling solution. The amount depends on the capacity of the water heater. Then you need to keep the liquid inside for at least two and a half hours, better - longer. After the designated time has elapsed, you need to connect the coil to the water supply, open the hot water tap and drain the waste liquid. Next, you need to flush the system and, if desired, repeat the cleaning procedure.

Advice! To prevent the formation of limescale, it is recommended to install a protective filter at the inlet of the column.

The gas column does not ignite

The most common reason that the gas column does not ignite may simply be the lack of draft in the ventilation shaft. It is possible that over time, the chimney was simply clogged with soot or a foreign object got into it. In this case, the protection system inside the column is triggered, and the gas is automatically shut off directly in the device.

Gas column installation diagram.

Check the chimney draft. This is done quite simply: a lighted match must be brought to the well, if the flame deviates in its direction, then there is a thrust, everything is fine.

It is enough to eliminate the cause, and the gas water heater will work properly again. You can clean the well yourself or call the masters.

Another reason for the malfunction of the gas columns in this case may be a simple discharge of the batteries, but this applies exclusively to devices with automatic ignition (from batteries or generators). Despite the assurances of the manufacturers that the batteries have a life of 1 year, they should be replaced much more often.

Debugg:

check the on and off buttons of the gas column;
replace batteries.

Thirdly, the gas water heater does not ignite simply due to insufficient water pressure. It's easy to check - you just need to open a cold water tap. If the pressure is small, it is quite possible that the reason lies not in the column, but in the water supply itself or in its separate section.

If the pressure in the cold water tap is stronger than in the hot tap, then, perhaps, the reason lies in the water unit of the gas column (the membrane is deformed or the filters are clogged). Quite often, the additionally installed coarse filters become the reason.

Debugg:

Diagram of a gas column device.

first you need to call the utility service to find out the reason for the lack of pressure;
wash the cleaning filters or replace it in the mixer;
in the communal service, you can leave a request for cleaning the pipes supplying hot water;
flushing the gas column from soot and combustion products;
replace the membrane of the column water assembly.

Fourthly, it often happens when the gas column ignites and immediately goes out. In this situation, it is necessary to adjust the water supply (cold and hot).

Please note: in no case should hot water be diluted with cold water, this leads to an immediate extinction of the flame, and such actions violate the rules for operating the column.

Remedy: it is necessary to reduce the water supply from the cold tap.

Another reason for the burner to fail can be worn out water diaphragm. Over time, the membrane deforms from constant loads; when water is supplied, the burner ignition device loses sensitivity and does not work. Nothing can be done about this, even in the columns of serious import manufacturers, the membranes should be changed every 5-7 years.

Open the water tap to the maximum, if the column turns on at maximum pressure, then the matter is just in the membrane, it will have to be replaced.

Best gas water heaters of 2019

Instantaneous water heater Zanussi GWH 10 Fonte Glass La Spezia on Yandex Market

Instantaneous water heater Mora Vega 10 on Yandex Market

Instantaneous water heater Zerten S-20 on Yandex Market

Instantaneous water heater Rinnai RW-14BF on Yandex Market

Instantaneous water heater BaltGaz Comfort 15 on Yandex Market

The weak pressure of hot water from the geyser is not the only problem faced by the owners of water heaters. The device may not heat up at all, resulting in a cold liquid.

Why does not hot water come from the gas water heater:

Dirty deposits have collected on the outside of the heat exchanger.
The flame is not strong enough to heat up. The problem of insufficient gas pressure will have to be corrected. Perhaps clean the parts.
The heat exchanger is overheating. Such a violation leads to the appearance of a layer of scale. The device is not working properly. Cold liquid flows.
The pressure level in the gas pipes is low. This is a reason to contact the gas service.
Lack of constant care and prevention of pollution. It leads not only to a violation of heating, but also to a poor pressure of water from the column.

What to do if cold water flows:

Turn the regulator all the way to the right. Close the tap halfway. This will slow down the movement of water and improve heating.
Check gas pressure. This can only be done by a specialist.
See how the mixer works. It can add cold water to heated water.
Determine if the filter or mixer is clogged.

There are a number of common reasons why a gas water heater does not heat water well, including:

Dirty heat exchanger. This reason sooner or later applies to all gas water heaters. Most often, the gas column does not heat the water precisely due to the fact that fumes and other formations accumulate on the wall of the heat exchanger, which do not provide heat energy to heat the water sufficiently. For the same reason, the gas water heater burns, but does not heat the water;
Failure of the diaphragm in the burner. This reason leads to the fact that the power of the flame is not enough to reach the required temperature. In such a situation, the Bosch geyser does not heat the water well, and over time the situation will only get worse;
Overheating of key mechanisms associated with a factory defect. As a rule, this applies to the heat exchanger or conductors. There are complaints, coming out of which, very often the Neva gas water heater does not heat the water well for this very reason;
Reducing the level of gas pressure. This reason has nothing to do with the equipment of the gas water heater. But the gas system in your home may experience certain failures, due to which the vector gas water heater does not heat the water well;
Failure of the battery of the ignition system. Sometimes the Junkers gas water heater does not heat the water well for this reason.

In addition, the lack of proper prevention, cleaning and maintenance, if signs of a malfunction are detected, can cause the Ariston gas column to heat the water poorly.

Gas water heater

But it is not always so easy to determine the reason why the gas water heater does not heat. In such situations, it is advisable to consult a specialist.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with How to install a sink in the kitchen: installation rules

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

When a column does not want to work at all, this does not mean its complete failure. Sometimes the problems are not as serious as they seem.

Next, we will analyze the main reasons for this type of malfunction and talk about how to fix them.

If the diagnostics showed that there are no malfunctions in the operation of the gas heater, and the column still does not heat up or heats up the water poorly, you should heed the recommendations of professionals.

Among them are the following:

If the water was always hot, and then its temperature became insufficient, it is worth checking the pressure of the gas coming from the pipeline or cylinder. It is not recommended to do this on your own; it is better to call representatives of the gas service.
Water can remain cool if the mixer does not work properly, mixing cold water with hot water. It is easy to check this by touching the pipe through which water flows from the column to the tap.If the pipeline is hot, and the water from the tap is slightly warm, it is worth repairing the mixer or adjusting its operation.
When the temperature of the water supplied from the tap changes sharply, the gas heater periodically turns off, it is worth checking the filters in the water heating system, in the mixer.

To increase the temperature of the water leaving the column, open the gas supply valve as much as possible, and open the valve responsible for the flow of cold water only halfway. At maximum burner power, the cold water flow will decrease. This will provide better heating.

This often happens during long-term operation of the gas water heater without annual maintenance of the gas water heater. There may be several reasons:

The first is the lack of draft in the chimney, this problem can be solved only by a qualified chimney specialist (chimney sweep), this happens when it gets clogged (debris, animals, birds get into the chimney), or your neighbors from above “very successfully” did the redevelopment, unfortunately , in our time is not uncommon. Therefore, if you notice the lack of draft in the chimney, we call the management company and invite a chimney specialist to our home, the use of a gas water heater without draft is strictly prohibited!

The second reason is that the lamellas of the heat exchanger are clogged, as well as the lack of traction allows a large amount of gas to collect in a narrow space, because of this, the column pops when a spark appears.

The third is a malfunction of the gas valve, this reason can only be eliminated by a specialist who has permission to work in hazardous gas, self-correction is fraught with sad consequences.

The fourth reason is a malfunction of the control unit or the ignition electrode, if you cannot determine the cause yourself, it is better not to delay and invite a gas water heater repair specialist.

This problem can occur on any gas water heater, regardless of the type of ignition and the power of the gas water heater. Often it appears on fairly cheap gas water heaters in the price category up to 7 thousand rubles, the reason is quite simple and is visible visually immediately when the cover (lining) is removed, namely, the integrity (burnout) of the working combustion chamber of the heat exchanger is violated, it is solved by replacing the gas water heater or heat exchanger.

This malfunction appears due to a blockage in the water supply system, low water pressure, wear of the elements of the water unit, dead batteries, breakdown of the gas valve servo drive, control unit, or failure of sensors. The wear of the elements of the water unit causes a lack of pressure, a temporary solution may be to regulate the knob on the water unit to reduce the water pressure to a minimum, so that the column can work.

But in the near future, we strongly recommend that you repair the water unit and replace the membrane. A variant of this malfunction may be the accumulation of debris on the grid of the water unit or in the aerator, which is installed on the tap. You can clean the mesh yourself by unscrewing the aerator on the tap, while cleaning the filter may require the help of a gas water heater.

The most common causes of poor water heating are the formation of soot on the heat exchanger and wear of the elements of the water unit.

There are several ways to determine one of these causes.

You look at a gas water heater and see a normal blue or light blue flame, but the lights on the burner are very small and burn weakly, then the water unit needs to be repaired.With good water pressure, but weak heating, you need to look at the color of the fire on the burner. If the fire is with yellow or red flames, the burner and heat exchanger should be cleaned of accumulated debris and burning.

The column goes out during operation

Gas column diagram.

If the column turns on, but goes out, then most likely the cause is a bimetallic temperature sensor, designed to prevent overheating of the column. A malfunction, as a rule, has 2 variants of manifestation:

The burner lights up, the column works normally for a while, then it goes out and does not work for some time. Attempts to ignite are ineffective. After 15-20 minutes, the column can be turned on again, the burner lights up, then after about the same time interval it goes out again. This is due to the increased sensitivity of the sensor.

This case is usually covered under warranty. But the fact is that this is a seasonal problem, and it mainly arises in winter, when the windows in the kitchen are constantly closed, or during the heat of summer. In both cases, the air temperature is elevated and the column is not cooled properly. It may happen that the problem manifests itself when the warranty period has already expired. Then you will have to make repairs at your own expense.

Column shutdowns are chaotic, sometimes the device does not light up at all. This behavior of the heater can occur due to deterioration of the insulation of the sensor conductor. A short circuit occurs on the body, causing the safety valve to operate. It is useless to call the gas operator - the problem is not in the gas part. It is also not worth repairing on your own. It is advisable to contact the service center or the manufacturer of this model for repairs.

Weak outlet water pressure

Gas column chimney diagram.

If gas is supplied, therefore, the water pressure is normal in the water intake device, the problem lies in the clogging of the heat exchanger with scale. One of the reasons may be idle combustion of the igniter for a long time. The igniter has time to heat up the heat exchanger, thereby causing intensive evaporation of the remaining water. The accumulated scale is not washed out due to the lack of water flow and has time to set before the next turn on of the column. As a result, the column does not work.

Scale build-up of pipes can also occur from hard water. At water temperatures above 80 ° C, scale build-up occurs, and at 82 ° C, this process starts to progress. To avoid the build-up of limescale, do not use excessively hot water. Repair consists in replacing or cleaning the heat exchanger.

With certain skills, you can flush the heat exchanger yourself. This will require:

Diagram of a gas column device.

set of open-end wrenches;
Phillips and flathead screwdrivers;
rubber hose;
set of paronite gaskets;
antiscale or vinegar essence;
bowl or plastic bucket.

First, remove the fittings from the column, and then remove the casing. After that, at the inlet, turn off the water supply and open any of the heated water taps closer to the column. Then unscrew the feed pipe from the heat exchanger and take it aside. After unscrewing the nut from the heat exchanger, water begins to leave the heat exchanger. It is necessary to drain about a liter.

After that, put a hose on the inlet of the heat exchanger, lift it just above the column, insert a funnel into the hose and pour the prepared solution into it with a thin stream. You need to pour it slowly, otherwise the decalcifier will be pushed back. The solution must be left in the heat exchanger for a couple of hours. To make the reaction go faster and take less time, the substance can be warmed up on a burning igniter.

Place a plastic bucket or basin under the tap and slowly open the water supply to the gas column. Pay attention to what will come out of the hose. If a lot of sludge comes out and the pressure after flushing becomes good, then everything worked out, if not, then the procedure must be repeated again. This is not required when using decalcifier.

Problems with heating water with a column

Problem # 1 - the water heater does not turn on

When a column does not want to work at all, this does not mean its complete failure. Sometimes the problems are not as serious as they seem.

Next, we will analyze the main reasons for this type of malfunction and talk about how to fix them.

Lack of traction in the channel

In the absence of traction, the gas will not ignite. The cause of breakage is often a blockage of the exhaust duct, in which an object is stuck. It can also collect combustion products such as soot. As a result, the lumen becomes clogged, traction disappears. Then the circuit breaker is triggered, the column does not turn on.

To fix the problem, you first need to check the traction. Light a match, bring it to the channel. If there is a 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 self-cleaning does not bring results, you should invite a chimney sweep.

Old or damaged batteries

Many modern speaker models use batteries to perform specific functions. If the contacts are oxidized or their service life has expired, the gas water heater will not turn on.

To solve the problem, it is enough to open the compartment with the batteries, inspect them for damage, if necessary, clean the contacts, and also replace the batteries.

Weak water pressure

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

The work of the column is accompanied by claps

Pops and micro-explosions accompanying turning on the column may be due to the following reasons:

too strong gas pressure, the burner ignites too actively, because of this, the flame breaks out;
too weak gas pressure, air enters the burner, which is accompanied by a microexplosion;
due to insufficient draft in the ventilation duct or well, due to possible clogging of the nozzle or other elements of the column, due to the discharge of the batteries for igniting the gas column.

Debugg:

a call to the utility service;
replacement of batteries;
chimney cleaning;
chimney sweep call.

In other cases, it is better to call a specialist to troubleshoot.

The gas column ignites, but does not heat the water well

The reasons for this may be different. Insufficient heating of water is due to the low power of the column. For clarification, simply carefully read the passport of the installed device, study the technical characteristics, etc. Do not turn on the hot tap in the bathtub, kitchen and sink at the same time, or buy a more powerful unit.

The water may not heat up well enough due to the usual clogging of the burner, as evidenced by the yellow color of the flame and the appearance of soot under the column during its operation. The water will also not heat up sufficiently if the supply gas pressure is low.

Troubleshooting:

self-cleaning of the column or calling the master;
adjustment of the tap for hot water supply;
a call to the gas service.

Features of maintenance and repair of speakers

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 device of the water heater, the principle of its operation.

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

All equipment providing instantaneous heating of water has similar assemblies, details:

Housingprotecting the device can be made of steel, cast iron, various alloys. There is a control panel on it, and in advanced models there is also a display for displaying information. If the column does not heat water well, an error code will appear on the screen.
Main burner, igniter.
Heat exchangermade in the form of tubes. Water moves along it, here it is heated. Often this unit is the cause of a malfunctioning gas heater.
The combustion chamber... It can be open, closed. Here fuel energy is converted into heat.
Water node... After opening the tap, the flow of water passing through this unit activates the membrane. It acts on the stem, which, in turn, opens the valve and allows gas to flow into the burner.
Gas valve... He is responsible for supplying gas to the system. If it malfunctions, the column may not work correctly.
Chimney - a hole for the outlet of fuel combustion products.

The principle of operation of the gas water heater is quite simple. When the user opens the hot water tap, cold water, gas is supplied to the device, at the same time the burner is ignited.

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

For operational heating of water, it is important to maintain the operability of all units of the column, to carry out periodic maintenance of gas equipment.

The nuances of descaling the radiator

During the operation of the gas water heater, scale can 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 fine. However, at the outlet, the user receives slightly warmed water. You can fix this defect yourself.

Water leak in the gas column

Sometimes a leak occurs in the connections of the gas column. Plumbing connections in the device are made using union nuts sealed with rubber gaskets. Over time, due to temperature changes, these gaskets lose their elasticity, become hard, and, therefore, water flows.

To repair the gas water heater, it is necessary to replace the rubber gasket. To do this, unscrew the union nut with a wrench 24, remove the worn gasket and install a new one. Sometimes one gasket is not enough, the nut is tightened all the way, but the water still oozes. Then it is necessary to install an additional gasket.

Here are the main malfunctions in gas water heaters. However, if you are not confident in your abilities or there are no suitable tools for self-repairing a gas water heater, then it is better to contact professional craftsmen with this question.