How to repair a water heater?

According to statistics, in the Russian Federation use household water heaters above twenty-two million people, and by 2014 this figure was close to twenty-five million people. There is a fairly large increase, so you should pay attention that most water heaters eventually need to be serviced or repaired.

If you need to repair the water heater, you should call a specialist from the service center. This option is both the easiest and most expensive way. It is possible to use a different method, that is, to fix the unit's problems manually.

It is necessary to consider in more detail the main elements of water heaters cumulative and flow type.First, it should be noted that the repair of a gas water heater is better not to try to do it yourself, because with the slightest mistake it can end very badly. Therefore, it is better to entrust the repair of gas heaters to specialized service centers.

Repair the water heater is not very difficult to make as it may seem at first glance. First you need to familiarize yourself with the functions of the main parts, prepare the necessary tool and, following all the rules, make repairs.

• The temperature controller or sensor, which indicates the level of water temperature in the tank, serves mainly to control the use of the unit, as with the arrow at any time you can easily determine the available amount of hot water. It can be represented as a scale with a pointer, as well as a digital indicator. There are no differences between them, the choice is completely individual.In case of failure of this part, the water heater will not stop working in proper order, but it will be impossible to determine the water temperature, which is very bad.
• Heat insulation, its name indicates its intended purpose. This quality saves the temperature of the heated water. Breaking it is excluded, so dwell on this nuance is not worth it.
• The pipeline is designed to release hot water. It is not prone to breakage, even when timely maintenance of the water heater is not performed, in rare cases it is susceptible to blockages. The level of water intake is quite high.
• The outer shell can be made of both plastic and metal. From the inside, the housing can also be made from one of two types of such materials. The case is characterized by durability, therefore its breakdown is possible only in case of carelessness when the water heater hits.

• The internal capacity of the tank is made of stainless metal, the thickness of which is no more than two millimeters, which indicates its subtlety. The main cause of failure is electrical corrosion.In the case of high-quality performance of the tank, and if maintenance with a change of magnesium anode is performed in a timely manner, the service life will be long and cause no concern about the failure of the boiler.
• Tubular electric heater (TEH). From its power depends on the speed of heating water in the tank. In connection with the regular work and the occurrence of electrical corrosion, this item is the fastest of all other elements subject to breakage and in need of repair.
• Magnesium anode is located on top, close to the heating element. Its main purpose is to protect the container and the tubular electric heater from corrosion. It is necessary to replace it from time to time, then the water heater will serve a rather long period of time. If the water heater for a bathroom of 30-50 liters is leaking and drops are visible below, then a glue gun should be used.

• The cold water pipeline is not a problem in the same way as a hot water pipe.
• The thermostat allows you to automatically heat the water. There are three types of thermostats that are used in home water heaters, such as: electronic, rod and capillary. Their functional purpose, without looking at the differences of devices, in fact, is the same. The temperature sensor reacts to degrees of water and turns the relay on and off, in which the contacts close or open the power supply system of the tubular electric heater.
• The consumer makes the temperature mode manually using a simple switch (button or knob). Two thermostats are most often used: the first is to adjust the water heating, the second is to control the proper functioning of the first. In the most expensive water heaters use 3 thermostat, while the third is responsible for monitoring the health of the tubular electric heater. In the event of a breakdown, this element requires a complete replacement of the thermostat.
• Gasket for insulation is a very necessary part of the product. It is needed to seal and protect against electrical current. It is located at the junction of the storage tank with the flange, where the tubular electric heater and the anode are located.

In addition to the above, there are water heaters that have electronic control and monitoring boards. If they fail, the water heater will not function, and in order to fix the breakage it is necessary to at least know a little about electronics. If you have the skills, you can make a water heater repair yourself. If the malfunction is in the electronic circuit, then it can be bypassed and the water heater will start functioning. The circuit is connected in parallel to the power supply wiring of tubular electric heaters.

The manufacture of flow-through water heaters is basically the same as the above option. The main difference is the lack of storage capacity and the most powerful electric heating elements.

The most common failure, except for the electrical parts of the water heater, is leakage. In this case, there may be several reasons, namely:

• tank flow;
• flow from the flange mounting, which fixes the tubular electric heater.

The reasons that can cause a leak in a container can be the following:

• no grounding wiring, which accelerates electrical corrosion;
• lack of maintenance;
• wear created by natural means.

Capacity damage cannot be fixed for such reasons as:

• in the boiler product, the outer casing and container are integral parts, therefore, it is impossible to repair the water heater without damaging the shell;
• The internal container is mainly made of stainless steel, and in the most expensive versions - from copper, very rarely - from plastic. With a plastic product almost nothing can be done. With a copper tank it is still possible to work out and try to solder, however, such containers serve for quite a long time due to the high resistance to corrosion. Welding a fairly thin stainless steel is not possible in the domestic environment, so do not waste time and effort;
• The newest coating of tanks in storage water heaters is glass enamel. When using a welding machine, it becomes unusable. In a domestic environment, it becomes impossible to repair damage, so a leakage is soon inevitable.

There is only one way out of this situation - it is the replacement of the internal capacity with a new one. If the modification of the product allows for such an action and its counterpart is on sale. However, it will be easier to buy a new water heater. In the situation with the detection of leakage in the place of fastening of the flange, great difficulties for repairing any water heater will not arise.

It is only necessary to drain the liquid from the water heater, remove the gasket and visually identify its wear or integrity. In case of detection of a particular problem, you need to take it for a sample and look in stores for a similar seal. After that, it remains to change it and you can successfully continue to use the water heater. In addition, some companies offer spare parts for pipelines, including metal flanges at affordable prices.

These are major problems with electric water heaters. Flowing water heaters have less of them, however, at a cost they are more expensive. There may be problems with the thermostat and the temperature switch. These faults can be identified on the basis of the lack of functioning of the tubular electric heater, with the existence of an electrical current supply, as well as with the origin of the operation of the thermostat control.

In general, when the thermostat is removed, you need to take an ohmmeter and put it on the resistance measurement. The position of the adjustment knob should be set to maximum and the presence of resistance should be measured at the contacts of the device. If the measuring device does not give any reaction, it means that the thermostat has failed, its repair is useless and impossible. You need to purchase a new or similar device and install it in place. In a situation when the thermostat of the control unit is activated, the following actions should be taken to identify the faults:

• you need to put the removed thermostat to the minimum position and fix the probes for measurements on the contacts of the device. It is desirable to do this with an assistant, so that there is someone to support the measuring elements;
• you should take a regular lighter and heat the flask of a thermostat;
• if it is working, then the temperature relay will work and open the contacts, the resistance on them must reach infinity. This is the same as in the case of dilution of the probes of the device in different directions;
• if this does not happen, then the thermal relay can be disposed of, it is necessary to buy a new one, since this part cannot be repaired.

It is worth considering repairing a tubular electric heater based on models of popular manufacturers. When the boiler is under power, however, the light indicator of the functioning of the tubular electric heater does not signal and the heating of the liquid does not occur, then the causes of the malfunction should be as follows:

• one should take a combined instrument for measurement - a tester;
• set the voltage on the measurement bar to two hundred and fifty volts;
• measure at the terminals of the electrical and thermostat connections;
• if voltage is present, it is necessary to measure it directly at the contacts of the tubular electric heater;

• if this indicator at the contacts of the heating part is in a normal position, then the heating element itself is most likely damaged;
• it is necessary to disconnect the water heater from the electrical supply;
• put the measuring device on the bar of the unit of measurement of electrical resistance;
• disconnect the heating element from the thermostat, basically it is enough to remove the contacts with the wires, so that the supply pipe of the tubular electric heater remains bare.
• it is necessary to measure the resistance at the terminals of the electric heating part, and the accuracy is not so important;
• if the device is intact, the measuring device will reflect the specific resistance data;
• if there is no such data, the tubular electric heater is broken and cannot be repaired.

Experts recommend sticking to the following tips:

• if the modification of the water heater does not provide for a change of capacity, but it has flowed, then it is necessary to completely change the entire product;
• if the fluid flows from the main body of the water heater and the thermostat from below, then it is likely that it will be easier to purchase a new unit, since this fault is irreparable;
• in the situation of an electrical circuit breakdown, the measuring instrument will display the resistance to an infinite level, and if a short circuit occurs, it will show zero;
• in case of uncertainty in their capabilities or in the absence of skills in working with electronics, one should not try to repair the electronic components of the heater on their own;

• if in time to carry out maintenance of the water heater, it will serve a longer period, and will not cause problems;
• If the water heater is functioning longer than usual, and the heating element is in perfect order, it is necessary to check the correctness of its installation. Details should be in the product manual;
• If the water heater creates excessive noise and does not turn off, and the water is very hot when exiting, the problem is most likely due to the thermostat.Such a breakdown is considered very serious, as it can cause an explosion of the unit. Some manufacturers provide water heaters with two thermostats, one of them works from +65 to +80 degrees, the other - from +100 degrees. Such caution will signal the moment when it is necessary to contact the customer service;

• if you detect the slightest leak in the area of ​​the safety valve, you should not be too afraid, in this case there is no extreme danger. The water heater only compensates for differences in pressure. Since most modifications of water heaters are provided for barometric pressure of up to ten units, and in our country these indicators practically do not exist, this problem can be corrected by replacing the valve;
• if a leak is detected in the case of the water heater and water slowly drips, then the container itself must be replaced. Parts can not be replaced, as it is impossible to correct such a defect either personally or in any specialized center.

How to repair the water heater with your own hands, see the following video.