A geyser is the cheapest way to heat water. Small dimensions make it convenient to place appliances in the kitchen. If you want to extend its life, periodically clean it. How to clean the gas column with your own hands, read the article.
How to find out it's time to clean the column
Since the technique heats the water with gas, the parts are not only covered with soot and soot, scale deposits on them. Due to the hardness of the water, salt accumulates on the elements: clogging the channels of the tubes of the heat exchanger, it disrupts the circulation. The heating rate decreases or becomes completely impossible.
What kind of cleaning should be carried out at home:
- Cleaning the burner from soot and soot.
- Cleaning from dust of internal elements.
- Heat exchanger from scale, soot, flushing pipes.
- Water pipe washing.
- Check the tightness of the seals.
- Check the draft sensor for serviceability.
- Lubricate parts as needed.
How to understand that a product is clogged and needs cleaning:
- The column does not start or turns on for a short time and turns off.
- Frequent RCD trip.
- The burner works as expected, but the water does not warm up well.
- Weak pressure from the crane.
The main reasons for the formation of scale:
- The burner is always on.
- Heating exceeds 50 degrees.
Self-cleaning methods
Regardless of the brand - "Neva", "Electrolux", "Bosch", "Oasis", "Vector" - the removal of contaminants is approximately the same. The cleaning agent may be different. We describe several ways.
Using hydrochloric acid
If you want to clean the heat exchanger parts from scale, use hydrochloric acid.
Important! In this way, plaque from copper heat exchangers can be removed. For other alloys, citric acid may be used.
The sequence of work:
- First you need to remove the casing.
- Remove the screws that hold the cover.
- Shut off the water supply.
- Open the faucet so that the hot drains completely.
- Disconnect the threads of the heat exchanger with tap. Replace the container as water may spill.
- Prepare a 3-5% hydrochloric acid solution. Be careful, the dosage should not exceed the norm, otherwise the walls will dissolve instead of scale.
- Take a ½ inch pipe or use a hose.
- Connect one end to the radiator input, the other to the output.
- Connect a funnel or a piece of plastic bottle to the pipe. Wear gloves during operation. Gradually pour the solution into the funnel so that it cleans the parts. Foam may form - this is normal.
- As soon as there is strong pressure on the other side, the task is completed, the heat exchanger is descaled.
- Rinse thoroughly with acid residues. She should not get into the water.
Use a tank with a pump
To do this, prepare 7-10% acid, a tank with a centrifugal pump. Hands can’t work here.
To remove deposits do this:
- Turn off the gas and water valve.
- Open the mixer, drain off the rest.
- To disassemble the casing and get to the radiator, unscrew the bolts.
- Pour the prepared acid into the tank, connect the treatment system to the heat exchanger.
- Start the pump. Let him run the fluid for an hour until all deposits are removed.
There is a less effective way to clean the column yourself. It is useful when there is no special equipment.
The use of citric acid
You will need a deep container (metal bowl or basin) to fit the entire heat exchanger. Dissolve 80 g of acid in 700 ml of water. Fill the container with 30% water and install it on the stove. Place the radiator inside and fill in the solution. Let the contents warm for about 30 minutes. Then turn off the oven, let the liquid cool.
Remove the parts and rinse under running water until the remaining scale is removed. Experts recommend that cleaning operations be performed at least once a year. This will help the column to function fully.
Water intake unit cleaning
This part is installed at the entrance. The strainer protects the system from debris and pieces of rust.
- Remove the water intake from the seat.
- Using a screwdriver, unscrew the screws and remove the cover.
- Remove the filter and rinse it under pressure. You can use a soft brush.
- Inspect the membrane: it should be flat, without curved sections. If you notice a deformation, replace the rubber membrane with a silicone one, it has a long service life.
- Check that the diaphragm is evenly tensioned.
- Replace the water intake and cover.
Removing soot from the igniter and burner
Before starting any work, disconnect the column from the gas and water supply. Then proceed to cleaning:
- We warn that it is better to entrust the disassembly of the gas part of the product to the master - this can be dangerous. We will only describe the sequence of actions.
- Remove the cover by unscrewing the bolts.
- Disconnect the wiring from the control panel to the system module and thermal sensor.
- Remove the burner, disconnect the collector. Then carefully brush over their surface, brushing off dust and dirt. Wipe with a damp cloth.
- To get to the inside of the part, you can use a small brush.
- Remove carbon deposits from the sensor and electrodes, inspect the contact group. Clean if necessary.
- Wash the burner well with soap and water, rinse with clean water.
- The burner openings (jets) can be cleaned with a thin wire.
To check the burner for gas leakage, apply soapy water to all pipe connections. If it starts to bubble, then a leak has occurred. Shut off the gas immediately and call a specialist.
Ultrasonic scale cleaners are sold today. They work when connecting wires to pipes, create magnetic pulses. They not only soften water, but also destroy scale.
Without the use of chemistry
Water purification with a gas column can be carried out without chemicals. If you have a mixer in three positions (and not two, as usual) then the work will be easier.
- Shut off the inlet water in both directions by setting the mixer in the middle position.
- Open the hot and cold water in the bathroom, then open the faucet in the kitchen.
- As a result, the flow will flow in the opposite direction, exit in the kitchen.
- To let it through the column, unscrew the inlet hose, substituting a container under it.
- You can immediately lower the hose into the sink.
- Follow the steps below:
If the mixer does not have a third position, unscrew the aerator. Put a rubber gasket in it, set it to its previous position. So you get rid of clogging and scale in the pipeline without the use of additional funds.
What should alert and suggest the idea of cleaning:
- An abundance of dust in the room. The flame should normally be blue, but if you notice a color change, then it's time to remove the dust from the burner.
- The equipment is in the room after repair.
- Thermal sensors trip too often.
Now you know how to clean the gas column. You need to act very carefully, having previously studied the instructions and turned off the gas.