How to clean the gas column

During operation, gas water heaters, like any other equipment, need regular maintenance. Therefore, you must know how to clean the gas column to prevent the formation of lime and corrosion. Only in this case you will be able to ensure its full functioning for a long time, and you will always have plenty of good quality hot water.

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Why clean the gas column?

A geyser is a good alternative to a hot central water supply, which is often turned off for prevention or turned off altogether in order to save. Unfortunately, the quality of domestic pipes is desired, and the water is hard and saturated with salts, which exacerbates the problem of scale and salt deposition on surfaces.

These factors affect the operation of the gas column: they become clogged with rust and filter debris, thin tubes of the heat exchanger are overgrown with a layer of scale, and as a result, they become clogged and do not let water through. Of course, you yourself can be partly to blame for the fact that the unit does not work, for example:

• forget to turn off the igniter;
• often turn on full heat;
• use the column at low water pressure.

But since the problem has arisen, you need to fight it. We will help you figure out how to fix the problem and give some effective tips for maintaining your water heater.

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How to descale the column?

The cleaning procedure is carried out sequentially in several stages. Strictly adhere to the proposed scheme below, and you will quickly solve the problem.

Stage 1 - Preparing Tools

To perform all the work you will need the following tools and processing tools:

• screwdrivers - flat and cross-shaped;
• open-end wrenches of different sizes;
• set of silicone gaskets;
• capacity in which you will put the removed heat exchanger;
• bucket;
• funnel or rubber bulb;
• a plastic tube corresponding to a diameter of a heat exchanger tube of about 60-100 cm long;
• descaling agents: “Anti-scale”, “Rust cleaner”, “Cilit”, VD-40 liquid, vinegar essence, table vinegar, citric acid;
• household cleaning products: Domestos, San-Wedge, etc.

Stage 2 - Equipment Preparation

1. Before disassembling the column, check the faucet, which is located at the entrance to the column, for serviceability.
2. Shut off the gas and water supply.
3. Remove the speaker protection cover: take a screwdriver suitable for fastening and unscrew the screws holding it.
4. Loosen the nuts that hold the water filter.

Stage 3 - filter cleaning

To get a really high-quality result and restore system throughput, you need to know how to clean the gas filter. This procedure is not difficult if you adhere to the following rules:

1. Brush away salt deposits and pipe debris.
2. Rinse the filter under running water.
3. Put it in a small container, fill with cleaning agent.
4. Leave on for 20-30 minutes.
5. Rinse.

Stage 4 - membrane replacement or correction

Check the membrane for suitability. If it is strongly concave, then it must be replaced. In this case, we recommend that you replace the old part with a more modern silicone one.

Proceed as follows:

1. Close the water intake unit with a cover, tighten the screws one by one to uniformly tension the membrane.
2. Loosen the nuts that hold the water pipes to the heat exchanger.In the process of unscrewing the fasteners, problems may arise, since the accumulated scale prevents them from detaching, in this case the WD-40 technical aerosol will help you, it actively penetrates into the layering of the scale and softens it:
   • Spray the product onto the surface.
   • Leave for 15-30 minutes for reaction.

Note: If this method does not work, gently “tap” the connection point with a key or warm it with a lighter.

Stage 5 - Heat Exchanger Test

1. Disconnect the heat exchanger, turn it over and place it in a container.
2. Using a funnel or a rubber bulb, fill the coil with a descaling agent of your choice:
   • Use decalcifier in a warm form.
   • Dissolve Cilit in water 1: 2.
   • Acetic acid must be located for effective exposure to the coil for at least 8 hours.
3. Pour a third of the volume of the substance inside, add the remaining liquid every five minutes as the reaction subsides (hissing).
4. Leave the substance inside for 3-5 hours.

Note: If you don’t have any special chemicals at hand, make a solution from your hand; table vinegar or citric acid solution is suitable for this: 100 g per 0.5 l of water, but be prepared for the fact that these products will affect pollution for 2- 3 hours and less effective.

5. Drain and rinse the heat exchanger:
6. Attach a plastic tube with one side to the coil and the other to a cold water tap.
7. Rinse the coil until the water is clear.

Note: Alternatively, put the column in place and connect the water supply under a small pressure, while under the water outlet, put a bucket so that residual scale will flow out there.

Stage 7 - final cleaning

Complete the gas column repair procedure as follows:

1. Lubricate the threads on the pipes with graphite grease to facilitate subsequent loosening.
2. Replace old gaskets with new ones.
3. Connect the pipes.
4. Open the valves on the hot water and gas pipes.

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How to clean the gas column from soot?

If soot falls out of the column when it is ignited, it means that you have problems with burning. It is advisable to entrust this procedure to professionals, but if it is impossible, do it yourself.

Note: Before cleaning, be sure to shut off the gas, remove the protective cover.

The most common cause of carbon deposits is gas leakage at the joints. To check the column for gas leakage:

1. Make a soapy solution.
2. Apply with a brush to the joints.
3. If bubbles begin to form, contact the gas service to troubleshoot or try adjusting the stop valves yourself by turning the washer until the desired result is obtained. But keep in mind, it is important not to twist it very much, otherwise the gas supply will be insufficient.

The second reason is that the nozzle holes are clogged. In this case:

1. Collect soot with a vacuum cleaner or iron brush.
2. Take a thin copper wire and remove carbon deposits from the nozzles.

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Useful Tips

For the column to work properly:

• Do prophylaxis periodically.
• In time, clean the filter from debris and lime.
• Do not use as high temperatures as possible.
• To avoid scale formation, drain hot water after using the gas water heater.

Using our tips, you can independently fix all the problems encountered in the process of using a gas column. But note that you can do this work yourself only if you have the appropriate experience in repairing equipment.

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Stock footage

Remember that improper repair of the geyser can exacerbate the problem and the system will become unsafe for you, as this equipment is explosive! If you are not confident in your abilities and knowledge, there is only one way out - call specialized specialists and entrust all the work to them!