Do-it-yourself reasons and methods for eliminating boiler leakage

Electric water heaters are installed in private houses, summer cottages and in many city apartments. These appliances, by providing people with hot water, give them independence from the unpredictability of public services. However, the idyll can be easily destroyed if the boiler suddenly leaks. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed competently and promptly, since the consequences can be catastrophic. You can diagnose and solve this issue yourself, without involving hired workers. To do this, you need to know the causes of malfunctions and how to eliminate them.

Reasons for the leakage of the water heater

If the boiler leaks, you must immediately disconnect it from the network and shut off the water supply to it. To reduce the pressure, open the hot water tap on the mixer. This action will eliminate the risk of electric shock and flooding. After that, you should wipe the product with a dry cloth and carry out its external inspection. He will help to identify the source of the problem and assess the possibility of its own solution.

If the boiler is leaking, the reasons for this phenomenon may be as follows:

• Incorrect installation. During the installation process, the new device could be hit or dropped. As a result of such actions, cracks appear in the tank or seams diverge between the pipes and the body. If the boiler leaks from the bottom, there is a possibility of poor quality of the connection of the liner.
• Lack of maintenance. It consists in periodic cleaning of the container, replacing worn parts. Sludge builds up hardens the gasket, gradually penetrating into the crevices, thereby causing leakage. Another reason may be rubber gaskets and FUM tape at the joints, which eventually lose their original characteristics.
  
• No overpressure relief valve. This part is designed to maintain the operating pressure in the tank and discharge the liquid when it rises to critical values. When there is no safety valve, the tank constantly contracts and expands due to temperature and pressure changes. All this leads to its rapid wear.
• Improper or no grounding. The consequences of violating the rules for connecting an electrical appliance are electrolytic corrosion, corroding even non-ferrous metal parts.
• Corrosion of internal parts and walls of the boiler. This happens when the water quality is low and there is no anode. Salts settling on the flask first destroy the enamel, and then the metal. Leaks can occur anywhere - from the top, bottom and side of the bulb.
• Long service life of the unit. If the boiler is flowing from the bottom of the droplet, this may indicate the wear of one of the parts - heating element, thermostat cylinder or tank. The possibility of repair depends on the nature of the malfunction. With prolonged downtime, water blooms inside the tank, as indicated by an unpleasant odor emanating from drips.

When the boiler leaks, you have to spend time and effort to restore its performance. However, first you need to get ready for work, so as not to be distracted from it at the most crucial moment, when it turns out that something you need is missing.

Tools and materials for work

For diagnostics, disassembly and repair of a water heater, a standard set of devices is sufficient, which even a novice home craftsman has in the closet.

You will need the following tools, fixtures and consumables:

• adjustable wrench, pliers, screwdrivers;
• indicator;
• scissors, steel scraper, pliers;
• brush;
  
• flexible hoses, pipe plugs;
• latex gloves;
• FUM tape or tow;
• rubber gaskets;
• check valve;
• flashlight.

Since the disassembly of the boiler is accompanied by the release of a large volume of water, care should be taken to be able to quickly collect it in case of unforeseen situations. This will require basins, buckets and rags. If the appliance is hanging over the bathtub, it is advisable to cover it with a dense material to protect the enamel from damage by objects falling from above.

Recognizing problems and fixing them

When disassembling the boiler, all your actions should be recorded on the camera so that there are no problems with reverse installation and connection to the network.

The work is recommended to be carried out in the following sequence:

1. Remove the cover, unscrew the wires, pull out the rheostat, assess its condition. If it inspires doubt, it is better to replace the inexpensive part.
2. Disconnect the hot water outlet pipe, screw a flexible hose to the tank.
3. Unscrew the cold water supply from the ball valve. Separate the non-return valve. Connect the second flexible hose to the connection. The water will now flow freely from the tank.
   
4. If the valve and faucet are heavily soiled, soak them in an aqueous solution of citric acid (10: 1).
5. Loosen and remove the fasteners that press the heating element to the boiler body. Different manufacturers use their own method for this.
6. Remove the heating element carefully. You need to be prepared for the fact that there will be a thick layer of sediment above it. In this case, the element must be lifted over the hole and free of debris by directing it into the bucket.
7. Remove deposits from the tank. In order not to remove it, since it is rather difficult, you should plug the cold water supply pipe with a stopper, open the tap and rinse the container with a strong stream using a shower head.

After disassembling and gaining access to all the details of the device, you can proceed to diagnostics and repair.

The inside of the tank is inspected with a flashlight. Rust holes on the side and top will be clearly visible. It is impossible to eliminate such a defect. The defective product must be disposed of. Some craftsmen remove the outer casing and insulation, and then weld the holes. It is extremely difficult to do this at home, but it is possible. However, after repairs, it is necessary to fix thermal insulation on the tank, otherwise it will greatly heat the air in the room, and the water will cool down quickly.

When the cause of the leaks lies in the heating block, it is advisable to replace it. Such parts are inexpensive, the purchase will not hit your pocket. Sometimes the necessary block is simply not on sale, and hot water is needed urgently. If the matter is in a shriveled gasket and a lime coat on the heater, you can get out of this situation quickly and without loss.

1. The spiral must be lowered into a tank with citric acid, connected to the network and boiled for 15-20 minutes. Scale residues can be easily scraped off with a knife.
2. Both rubber gaskets are generously lubricated with a heat-resistant sealant.
3. The heating element is inserted into place and pressed into the socket with fasteners.

There is no need to worry that the recovered connection will leak. The mastic will ensure tightness no worse than the factory version.

Preventive measures

Leaks and related boiler repairs can be easily avoided if you follow the rules for its operation, starting from the moment of installation:

• transportation and installation of the device must be carried out carefully, avoiding its fall and impact;
• if the pressure in the system exceeds 2 atmospheres, a special reducer must be installed;
• after installation, equip the boiler with a safety valve;
• put a good filter at the inlet of the water supply to the house, which will remove salt and calcium from the liquid;
• timely change the anode to prevent corrosion of the tank walls;
• regularly clean the boiler and heating element from scale and lime deposits;
• periodically update consumables - gaskets, coils, flexible hoses.

Proper use of the device will minimize the risk of leaks and extend its service life.