How to repair a water heater with your own hands

Basic rules for servicing an electric heater

For long and trouble-free operation of the water heater, it is important to follow the rules for its operation and maintenance. Otherwise, breakdowns are inevitable. The fact that there are problems in the operation of the device may be indicated by some changes in the mode of its operation:

The fact that there are problems in the operation of the device may be indicated by some changes in the mode of its operation:

• increasing the time of heating water to a predetermined temperature;
• the appearance of unusual sounds accompanying the operation of the device;
• the appearance of foreign impurities in tap water, a change in its color, smell or taste.

To do this, you will have to perform the following operations:

1. Disconnect the device from the power supply.
2. Remove protective cover.
3. Disconnect electrical wires.
4. Shut off cold water supply.
5. Use a hose to remove excess water from the tank.
6. Unscrew the bolts that hold the heating element.
7. Remove the heating element and clean it from scale.
8. Clean the inside of the drive from dirt and scale particles.
9. Rinse the device thoroughly.
10. Check the condition of the magnesium anode.
11. If necessary, replace this element immediately.
12. Wait until the tank is completely dry.
13. Install the heater in place.
14. Reassemble the device.
15. Check the security of all fasteners.
16. Connect the water heater to the power supply.
17. Check for grounding.

The heating element should be removed from the tank carefully, the bolts may be too stubborn, sometimes the heating element is difficult to remove due to too much scale.

The heating element is cleaned by mechanical or chemical means, as well as the removal of contaminants from the tank. If a large amount of scale is found inside the device, you should consider revising the operating mode of the water heater.

This phenomenon is often observed when the device has been operating at maximum power for a long time. It is recommended to set the maximum heating temperature no higher than 60 degrees in order to increase the life of the device and reduce the number of breakdowns.

If the body of the heating device is energized, the heating element may have been deformed and ruptured, or there may be a breakdown in the control system.

Boiler treatment before assembly

Before installing a new heating element, a thorough cleaning of the water heater tank is strongly recommended.

This must be done as carefully as possible so as not to damage the inner surface. It is also necessary to inspect the magnesium anode, most likely it will also have to be replaced. In general, there is a recommendation that the anode needs to be replaced annually.

You may also be interested in the article about Termex instantaneous water heaters.

Read an article about installing and connecting a Thermex water heater with your own hands here.

After reading this article, you will learn how to properly disassemble the Thermex water heater.

Comments (1)

1. Oleg: 05/14/2018 at 18:24

   Hello! I want to ask you for a technical consultation. I have been using an Ariston brand storage water heater, ABS PRO ECO 80V model (the top photo on the site) for 8 years now, I am satisfied with the product. But time takes its toll and a certain problem has appeared, namely, when the temperature sensor is triggered again (if the period between switching on was 1 hour or more), the entire indication on the front panel flashes and frequent clicks under the plastic casing of the display panel for about 10 minutes, then the frequency of clicks gradually decreases and the device turns on. It should be noted that if the period between the operation of the thermal sensor is short (15-20 minutes), the heater turns on without problems. But during the period of frequent clicks, it seems as if some kind of relay cannot be drawn in, then gradually is magnetized and closes the contact, the heater is switched on.

If water does not enter the boiler

If the reasons described are eliminated, there is water pressure, but the boiler still cannot be filled, the cause may be an incorrect connection (the inlet and outlet pipes are mixed up) or a clogged mesh filter pad. Troubleshooting these problems is easy: unscrew the hoses, rinse the filter and assemble everything back in the correct order.

Scheme of operation of the water heater

Another cause of failure is a broken check valve. It is installed at the inlet to the storage tank and does not allow water to return to the water supply. It can also release excess pressure when overheated. Over time, the valve spring becomes clogged with scale and rust particles, as a result, the valve jams. Disassembly and thorough cleaning will help fix the problem. If it was not possible to clean the part and restore its performance, you will have to look for a replacement.

Having figured out why the boiler may stop working normally and how to fix the most common malfunctions, it is worth dwelling on preventive measures.

Most breakdowns can be avoided by following these simple maintenance guidelines:

• Do not overheat water. The lower the temperature, the slower the formation of scale, leading to breakdowns.
• The design of many boilers provides for the use of softening cartridges. Do not skimp on water softening, as this will help you avoid spending on repairs.
• When leaving for a few days, turn off the device without draining the water. But turning it off at night to save energy is impractical due to the high wear of the electrical part.

You can solve the problem yourself. Consider the most common malfunctions of water heaters.

Why are water heater safety valves important?

We will deal with the device of the safety device for the water heater and the principle of operation.

Device

The device itself is very simple. The design consists of two cylinders. One is large and the other is smaller. The cylinders are arranged perpendicular to each other.

1. Large cylinder. It contains a poppet valve, which is pressed by a spring. It provides water flow in one direction. A poppet valve is essentially a check valve. On both sides, the cylinder has a thread for connecting to a pipe and a heater.
2. Small cylinder. It is placed perpendicular to the first and has a smaller diameter. The cylinder is equipped with a drain socket with a poppet valve inside. It works in the opposite direction.

Principle of operation

There is nothing difficult in the operation of the safety valve for the water heater.

1. Under the pressure of cold tap water, the check valve opens and the heater tank is filled.
2. After filling the tank with cold water, the pressure in the tank becomes higher than the external one, and the valve closes. It will open as water flows.
3. The second valve has a powerful spring, which is triggered by increased pressure in the boiler. When water is heated, the pressure in the boiler increases. And if it exceeds the permissible value, then the spring is activated and excess water is discharged through the drainage hole. So, the pressure in the boiler is equalized to normal.

To clarify the operation of the device, we will simulate several situations.

• Let there be no valve at the inlet to the heater that would block the return flow of cold water supplied to the tank. Even with a stable pressure in the water supply, such a unit will not be able to work.The fact is that along with the heating of water in the tank, the pressure increases. At some point, the pressure in the tank may exceed the pressure in the plumbing, and hot water will begin to flow into the plumbing system. For example, hot water can flow from a cold water faucet or from a toilet bowl.
• There are times when pressure drops in the water supply system (often this happens at night, when the load on the water station decreases). In this case, the water from the tank is drained into the water pipes. TENY empty heat an empty tank, which leads to inevitable burnout. Of course, in theory, automation should prevent the process of overheating. However, not all models are equipped with this feature. Yes, and automation can simply fail in the most difficult moment.

Having considered both situations, one would say that this can be avoided by installing a simple check valve. There are craftsmen who do just that. But they do not even suspect that they are planting a time bomb in their house. It is terrible to think what consequences can be expected if the thermostat fails.

There is no outlet for boiling water from the tank. The pressure rises, and with it the boiling point of water rises. If you open the tap, the pressure may drop, the boiling point also drops. This will cause the water to boil instantly, resulting in a huge amount of steam, which can cause a violent explosion.

Dangerous situations can be avoided by installing a serviceable valve for the water heater.

The main advantages of the safety device for the water heater.

1. Blocks the return flow of water from the heater to the water pipe.
2. It does not allow a sharp change in pressure in the plumbing system.
3. When the pressure rises, it releases excess water from the boiler.
4. If the safety device is equipped with a lever, the water can be drained for maintenance work.

Maintenance Tips

To ensure that repairs to the water heater are required as little as possible, it should be properly serviced. For example, it is necessary to periodically carry out routine inspections of the boiler, as well as follow the advice indicated in the instructions.

The most common problem for owners of water heaters is scale. To prevent this phenomenon, first of all, it is necessary to put a pre-filter on the water. If deposits are visible on the walls and nozzles, then they should not be mechanically cleaned. During it, scratches are formed, which in the future can lead to corrosion. It is best to use special cleansers to remove scale.

For example, in order to remove limestone from a tank and heating element, you can use a solution of acetic or citric acid. For 100 percent water, 3 to 10 percent acid is taken. Moreover, the solution must be hot enough. The heating element is completely immersed in the solution, using a container of suitable size for this, and the tank is simply washed. Washing machine cleaners are also suitable for removing plaque.

A magnetic transducer can help prevent the formation of scale deposits. You can also reduce the heating temperature in the tank to 60-70 degrees. At this temperature, magnesium and calcium salts do not boil off.

It should be remembered that the service life of the magnesium anode will be significantly extended if it is cleaned in a timely manner and replaced if necessary.Moreover, the replacement should be done once every six months.

It is also necessary to ensure that there is water in the boiler before turning it on. When the device is plugged in, do not remove the protective cover. It is not recommended to use a water heater without grounding. It should also be taken into account that water heaters are not suitable for water supply systems in which the pressure exceeds 0.6 MPa.

If the water heater has an electronic display, then it may display basic error codes, which are better to be familiar with, since sometimes they can save a lot on boiler repairs.

The three most common errors you see are:

• "Vacuum" (E1). This means that the tank cannot be completely filled with water when the heating element is turned on. In this case, it is enough to turn off the heating element and wait until the tank is completely filled with liquid.
• "Sensor" (E2). This signal indicates a non-working temperature sensor. In this case, it is necessary to disconnect the water heater from the network for half a minute, and then restart the device.
• "Over Heat" (E3). Indicates that the water has heated up to a value of more than 95 degrees. To prevent damage, you must start the safety thermostat with the button.

For information on how to repair a Thermex water heater, see the following video.

The most common breakdowns and how to fix them

Flowing water heaters are quite simply arranged if they do not have additional electronic control units. In the event of any malfunction, you can simply seek help from the list in which they are all indicated. The list of faults is also accompanied by ways to eliminate them.

Breakdown No. 1: burned out heating element

The most common breakdown in which a household appliance continues to function even when the signal lamp is on, since the electric current reaches the heating element, but does not pass through it.

Burnt out water heater

We repair the heating element in the following order:

1. Disconnect the water heater from the electrical network and drain the water from it.

2. Remove the heating element. To do this, unscrew a few bolts securing it to the water heater body.

3. Attach the working probes of the multimeter to the two main terminals of the heating element, after setting the resistance measurement. The working resistance of the heating element is 32-35 Ohm. If the multimeter shows one, this means that the heating element is damaged.

The element is installed in the reverse order. Also, do not forget about the rubber gasket under the heating element. If the gasket has become unusable, then it should be replaced.

Breakdown number 2: clogging of the household appliance

The consequence of clogging the water heater may be too low water pressure at the outlet. An incomprehensible noise is also heard, similar to the passage of large debris through the pipes of the system.

With such a breakdown, all the working elements of the electrical circuit remain serviceable, so it can take a long time to find a malfunction. A clogged water heater does not require repair, it should only be properly cleaned.

Clogged water heater

How to clean the instantaneous water heater:

1. The device should be disconnected from power and drain all water from the system.

2. It is necessary to remove 2 wires from the heating element: phase and zero. Then undock the heating device and rinse it thoroughly in hot water. Do not use hard objects to remove scale and rust, as this may damage the element body.

3. Rinse the water intake and discharge pipes under low pressure. For the best effect, it is allowed to use household chemicals with a mild effect, without active elements.

4. Install the heating element in reverse order. Turn on the device and check its functionality.

Breakdown number 3: the power switch does not work

Multi-stage power switches are installed mainly on models of boilers of the latest generations. This allows you to accurately control the temperature of the water and save on electricity. The consequence of a breakdown of the power regulator: the device does not react in any way to the rotation of the operating mode switching knob. At the outlet, there may be a slightly heated liquid, while the pressure remains normal.

Standard power switch

Most often, the power switch is a variable rheostat, which can be checked with a multimeter. It is necessary to connect the probes to the terminals of the element and smoothly rotate the adjusting knob. If the resistance changes, then the rheostat is working, if not, then it should be replaced. When replacing, it is necessary to mark the wires and connect them to the corresponding switch terminals. The switch is better to buy the original, and not a cheaper analogue.

Breakdown number 4: broken external tank

With a long service life, the water heater tank may leak. The integrity of the material is also affected by the quality of the heated liquid - very often after several months of operation, scale forms on the surface of the heating element.

External tank damage

When the body is pierced, the pressure of the liquid at the outlet drops sharply, the body of the device may be covered with liquid smudges. This malfunction is determined quickly by visual inspection.

Another cause of water leakage can be a worn-out rubber gasket under the heating element - the so-called flange. To replace the gasket, it is enough to drain the water, disconnect the water heater from the mains and remove the heating element. Having taken out the old gasket, it is necessary to put a new one in its place and assemble the device in the reverse order.

How to choose a boiler model?

If the water heater is equipped with a safety valve as standard, you must purchase the same model for replacement. However, sometimes situations arise when it is necessary to install the device on an old boiler model that is not equipped with such protection.

In such cases, it is customary to be guided by the color of the trigger handle:

• red color - the model is designed for a limiting pressure of 0.6 MPa;
• black color - 0.7 MPa;
• blue color - 0.8 MPa.

The parameters of the boiler can be found in the instructions. Sometimes the limiting pressure is indicated on a special plate or paper sticker mounted on the body of the device.

It is necessary to choose a device in exact accordance with the upcoming load. If it is designed for less pressure, the water will constantly drain. If the valve rating is much higher than the working value, the device will not work when overloaded, creating a danger to the heater.

The water heater broke down: the main causes of the malfunction

Despite the reliability and quality of Ariston heaters, they tend to break down.The weakest points of the water heater are: the heating element, a special magnesium anode, as well as a non-return valve. It is these elements that need timely prevention.

What to do if the water heater breaks down? First, you need to identify the causes of the breakdown, and only then proceed to eliminate the malfunction itself.

Causes of failure of water heaters:

• Corrosion (scale) has formed on the heating element;
• The filter on the pipe through which water is supplied and the check valve is clogged;
• Power surges in the network lead to the fact that the control board fails.

When starting self-repair, be sure to check the warranty card of the device. If the warranty for the tank has not expired, never rush to disassemble it, otherwise you will not receive free service in the service in the future.

2 The gasket under the heating element has become unusable

The heating element is the main part of any boiler and becomes unusable every 1.5 - 2 years. But more often than not, the rubber seal (for example, in Ariston tanks), located at the junction of the heating element and the water heater body, does not withstand the term.

The sequence for replacing it is as follows:

Disconnect the boiler from the electrical network and drain all the water from the tank

This must be done carefully, as the liquid may be heated.
Using a wrench or socket head, unscrew the bolts securing the heater body to the water heater body. This should be done carefully, since during prolonged use of the device, the bolts can turn sour

Excessive force will cause the bolt to break and have to be drilled out.
Take out the heating element and remove the old gasket from the surface of its body.Lightly sand with fine sandpaper.
Put on a new gasket, install the heating element in place and tighten the bolts. Here too, you should not apply too much force - if you do not break the bolt, you can simply damage the internal thread.

O-rings for the heating element of the boiler

If the gasket has become unusable, but at the moment there is no way to replace it and water is still leaking, then you should simply try to tighten the bolts more tightly. This will stop the leak for a short time. But you should not postpone the replacement of the gasket indefinitely.

Simply tighten the bolts

It is much worse when the fluid begins to flow from under those places on the cover of the heating element where the bolts are screwed. This only means buying a new boiler, so using even semi-automatic welding will lead to deformation of the inner surface of the household appliance.

Very often, when replacing water inlet and outlet pipes, home craftsmen do not exert effort while tightening the rubber components. Minor streaks appear, to eliminate which it is only necessary to tighten the junction with high quality.

Cleaning the structure of the water heater

A number of malfunctions of water heaters can be eliminated by cleaning, which, if desired, can be performed independently. These include prolonged heating of water, the appearance of loud hissing sounds, a yellowish tint of water or the smell of hydrogen sulfide, as well as long-term operation for 2 years without preventive measures.

Disconnect the device, remove the cover of the lower part of the tank and the wires. Drain all the water from the inner container using a hose. Don't forget to turn off the cold water.

To remove the heating element, unscrew the bolts that are located under the tank cover at the bottom. Remove the heating element from the tank, if there are too large growths of rust and scale, this can also be a difficult task.

The formation of too large build-ups can be the result of continuous operation of the water heater at full capacity. If the heating temperature does not exceed 60 ° C, this will significantly extend the service life. The heating element removed from the tank must be cleaned mechanically.

Check the condition of the magnesium anode, it may need to be replaced. Then clean the tank of scale and debris and rinse. Before assembling the boiler, dry it, check the grounding and carefully strengthen the parts.

How to test a water heater thermostat

To check the health of the thermostat, it is necessary to measure its resistance using a household ohmmeter or multimeter. To do this, you will need to remove the thermometer and connect the tester to its contacts, setting the handle on the device to the maximum value.

This thermostat will need to be replaced with a new one. You can choose a new thermostat based on the brand of the water heater, the volume of the tank, the size and power of the heating element.

In addition, when choosing, you will need to consider:

• The amount of current for which the thermostat is designed;
• Device functions (adjustment, protection);
• Type of thermostat (rod, capillary, electronic).

When choosing a regulator in a store, you should show the consultant a passport from the boiler. This will allow you to choose the most suitable device.

Device

For effective troubleshooting, it will be useful to first get acquainted with the design of Termex boilers. The following components can be distinguished in the design:

Temperature sensor.With it, the owner can at any time find out what temperature the coolant has in the tank. Often it is made in the form of a scale with an arrow or a digital indicator. This device makes the operation of the boiler more convenient. Even if this sensor fails, it will not affect the operation of the device itself. True, in this case, the user will no longer be able to know to what temperature the water will heat up.
Thermal insulation. Its presence allows for a long time to keep the heated water. This element will never break.
Hose for draining hot water. It refers to those elements that usually do not cause problems for the owner.
The outer shell of the water heater body. This part can be made of different materials - metal, plastic or a combination of both. The integrity of the outer shell of the case can be violated only if the device accidentally falls or the owner himself incurs damage to it.
Internal tank. It is usually made from stainless steel. Due to its small thickness, it can easily be affected by corrosion, which can also cause its failure. But if regular maintenance is provided, then for a long time it will not create problems for the owner.

TEN. This element plays a decisive role in the operation of the device, since it heats the liquid. Moreover, more powerful models require less time to heat water. In view of the fact that it is constantly in use and exposed to corrosion, it is with it that the most frequent failures of water heaters are associated.
magnesium anode. A place is allocated for it near the heating element.Its main purpose is to protect the tank and heating element from corrosion.

It is very important to monitor its condition and, if necessary, change it to a new one.
Hose for supplying cold water.
Thermostat for water heater Termeks. Thanks to him, the liquid in the device heats up automatically. There are several types of thermostats: rod, capillary electronic

Although there are models of different designs on the market, they still use the same principle of operation. The temperature sensor constantly monitors the temperature of the liquid. Depending on this parameter, it sends signals to the thermal relay, which starts to close or open the power supply circuit of the heating element. Most often, two thermostats are provided in the design of the water heater: the first controls the heating of water, while the second monitors the state of the first. A feature of expensive models is the presence of three thermostats, and the task of the third is to monitor the health of the heating element. A failed thermostat cannot be repaired, so it is replaced with a new one.
Insulating pads. They are necessary for sealing and protection against electricity. This element must also be changed in case of failure.
Electronic circuits of control and management.

There are several types of thermostats: rod, capillary electronic. Although there are models of different designs on the market, they still use the same principle of operation. The temperature sensor constantly monitors the temperature of the liquid. Depending on this parameter, it sends signals to the thermal relay, which starts to close or open the power supply circuit of the heating element.Most often, two thermostats are provided in the design of the water heater: the first controls the heating of water, while the second monitors the state of the first. A feature of expensive models is the presence of three thermostats, and the task of the third is to monitor the health of the heating element. A failed thermostat cannot be repaired, so it is replaced with a new one.
Insulating pads. They are necessary for sealing and protection against electricity. This element must also be changed in case of failure.
Electronic circuits of control and management.

It is from the elements described above that all storage heaters manufactured under the Termex brand consist. It should be said that flow devices also have a similar design, however, they are devoid of a storage tank and have a heating element of increased power.

Possible malfunctions and ways to eliminate them

If the water heating indicator does not light on the body of the heating tank, the water does not heat up, and the body is energized, the heating element should be checked with a tester. To do this, it is enough, after removing the latter, to attach the multimeter probes to the contacts, and look at the resistance. If “1” is shown on the display, it can be concluded that the heating element is unusable, a rupture has occurred and it must be replaced.

If you notice a tank leak, repairing it yourself is not always possible, since not in all cases the cause of the breakdown is the wear of the sealant, which can be replaced. Most often, the cause is the wear of the tank itself, the appearance of holes in it, eaten by corrosion. In this case, repairing the unit will be quite problematic.A leak can be welded, sealed or soldered holes, but after a certain period of time the tank will still become unusable, as the holes will expand. With this unpleasant incident, in any case, it is necessary to replace the housing or purchase a new storage water heater.

Here, in fact, are all the main provisions of how to repair a boiler with your own hands. We recommend that if you do not have enough experience with electrical engineering, contact a master or a service center.

Causes of a boiler malfunction

There are often problems with wiring when the boiler does not turn on or off, and also does not heat water, or vice versa, it heats continuously. In such a situation, it is necessary, following the instructions when connecting the boiler, to correctly connect it to the network and ground it so that the current does not pass through the body.

There are cases when, if the water heater is connected incorrectly, no water enters the tank. This most often happens because the water from the water supply comes under too high a pressure and this either leads to a rupture of the tank during a water hammer, or the boiler has protection and does not let water through. It is recommended to install safety valves between the pipes of the boiler and the water supply.

What to do and what to do if the storage water heater is out of order? To begin with, do not panic, but try to figure out the cause of the breakdown. After finding out the reasons for the failure of the device, it is necessary to understand how to disassemble the boiler - without this stage it is impossible to start repairing, because most of the problems are associated with the inside of the tank. How to repair the storage water heater yourself, we will describe in order below.

How to care for a boiler

So that no leaks happen, and at one fine moment the boiler does not give you, let's say, a savings account, you need to properly and timely take care of it. For example, always before inserting a pipe into a water heater, a high quality ball valve or valve must be installed. This part must freely endure constant loads from water pressure.

In order for the boiler to serve for a long time and with high quality, it is necessary to properly care for it.

Boiler maintenance:

• The gap between the boiler and the valve is a place for cleaning filters;
• Replace filter membranes with new ones from time to time;
• Grounding is carried out strictly according to the instructions, use safety precautions.

To frequently flush the boiler, you just need to connect the hose to the lower outlet pipe of the heater, let the water into the body under strong pressure. The anode rod needs to be cleaned very often, and it is recommended to change it every year of operation. And the dip pipe should also be cleaned in a timely manner.