The gas column, or flow-through water heater - is a convenient( and, often, the only possible) solution for those who are deprived of the pleasures of central water supply and heating. Not everyone is familiar with this device, but those who lived in an old building connected to gas supply know very well what a gas column is.
Fortunately, modern gas water heaters are significantly different from those that were equipped at home several decades ago. Now it's not bulky, noisy and foul-smelling "monsters", but very compact and practical devices that practically do not remind of their presence in the apartment.
However, something remained unchanged. For example, problems with water pressure. Modern gas columns suffer this no less than their predecessors. The reasons for the weak pressure of hot water and ways to solve this problem, we'll talk in today's article.
Why is the water pressure not strong enough?
Consider the most common factors that affect the water head in a flow-through gas water heater.
- Device power. For the fact that there was a good head of water in the gas column, it is necessary to purchase a device of appropriate power. A bad set of water can be provided by a gas column with a power of less than 8 kV.It is better to purchase a water heater whose capacity is from 8 to 10 kV.
- Presence of blockages. Any pipes, through which water flows, are prone to blockage. If we are talking about a gas column, then the problem is most often in a mesh filter, which is clogged with particles of lime and rust. If the water passes through the filter badly, then the head will be small.
- Scale formation. Scale often appears in metal containers, designed for boiling water. In a gas column, the function of such a tank or tank is performed by a heat exchanger. If the tap water is too stiff, eventually, a layer of scale forms on the walls of the heat exchanger, which gradually penetrates into the tubes - hence the pressure drop of the hot water.
- Consequences of technical work. This factor is associated with the scum that settles inside the heat exchanger. The code closes the water in the pipes, and then resumes its supply, there is a so-called "hydraulic shock", as a result of which the scale particles get into the mixer. As a consequence, in one part of the mixer a blockage occurs.
- Preventive work. Like any other gas equipment, the column needs careful care, one of the important components of which is the regular prevention of blockages and other malfunctions. Often the cause of poor water pressure is the neglect of the maintenance of the device.
What should I do?
| Problem | Solutions |
| The | filter is clogged. The strainer is located "in the input" into the heat exchanger. You can remove the blockage by pulling out this part and cleaning it with a stiff brush under the stream of water. If during cleaning you notice that the filter is damaged, replace it with a new one. |
| Scale in the heat exchanger | Special tools that are designed to remove and prevent the formation of scale in gas columns are not recommended. They have an aggressive chemical composition that destroys metal surfaces. Much more effective and safer "folk" remedies, for example, simple citric acid, dissolved in hot water. |
| Blockage in the pipes | If a blockage occurs in the pipe through which hot water flows, you can try to eliminate it by running a cold water return. To do this, remove the plug, place a container under the column to collect water and open both valves. Then pinch the spout with your finger. There is a possibility that cold water, moving in the opposite direction, will push the blockage forward. |
| Malfunction of the mixer | If the small debris has penetrated the gas pipe tubes, it may well get inside the mixer. Most of all, the formation of blockages is subject to a filter, crane-busx and a thin rubber hose. The problem can be rectified by examining the mixer and visually inspecting each part for foreign objects. Mud accumulations are usually easily washed with running water. |
Which gas columns work at a low pressure?
If the reason for the small pressure of hot water is not in the gas equipment but in the water pipes, the problem can be solved either by normalizing the pressure in the pipes or by purchasing a gas water heater that will function properly even if the water pressure is poor.
With this task modern gas columns will be handled, which are equipped with a water pressure adjustment device. They work according to the following principle: the stronger the pressure of water, the higher its temperature, and vice versa. Thus, if you set the minimum water temperature, the column will turn on even with a low head. However, if problems with the pressure of hot water are observed continuously, it will be more appropriate to supply the system with a pump.
To independently clean the heat exchanger from scale, you can watch the next Youtube user video, in which everything is described in detail and described.
