How to clean a boiler at home and how to clean a water heater heating element?

Experts insist that cleaning the boiler, regardless of its type and design features, should be carried out at least once a year. When using very hard water with many mixtures - even more often. If you neglect this manipulation, the inside of the container and the heating element (heating element of the structure) will become covered with a layer of scale, which will interfere with the normal operation of the device and may even lead to its breakdown.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to call a specialist to carry out preventative cleaning of the boiler. Even at home, parts of the device can be restored quickly and without the risk of reducing its functionality.

How to properly drain the water and prepare the device?

Before you begin cleaning, the boiler must be emptied of water. The easiest way to do this is if the device is located above the bathtub or if you can place a large container under it. It’s good that when the heating element is screwed directly into the tank, it can be pulled out at the same time as the liquid is drained. In some models, to remove the element, you have to unscrew numerous nuts, then the boiler is emptied in advance.

The water draining algorithm always looks like this:

1. Disconnect the device from the network and turn off the water supply tap (on the pipe).
2. We turn off the tap responsible for the supply of cold water, located near the heater. After this, turn on the water at the nearest faucet until the glass is hot.
3. We attach a tube to the drain fitting, direct it to the sewer, and drain the water by opening the tap.

In the absence of taps and fittings, all liquid can be drained through the safety valve. The main thing is to act carefully and consistently so as not to get burned and not provoke an accident.

Tips for disassembling the structure and cleaning a wet heating element

Before cleaning the boiler begins, the device must be disassembled by removing the heating element. To do this, first remove the decorative plate covering the contacts and the place where the element is secured. It can be screwed on or secured with latches. Having reached the internal elements, it is recommended to photograph them so that there are no problems with subsequent system recovery.

We disconnect all contacts, after which we take out the heating element. If the device has not been descaled for a long time, proceed very carefully. Accumulated dirt may prevent the heating element from being removed easily. There is no need to pull it, it is better to try to carefully clear the deposits.

Tip: Having reached the inside of the structure, it is recommended to evaluate the condition of the magnesium anode. If it has become very thin, it should be replaced without waiting for the element to fail.

In most cases, layers of scale accumulate on the tubular part, and there is not much of it inside the tank. It is enough to run water to wash out everything unnecessary from the boiler itself. If you cannot clean the boiler this way, you will have to work with your hands. The main thing is not to try to make the process easier by using aggressive abrasives. You need to use only practice-tested safe products.

To clean the heating element itself from a layer of scale, it is necessary to carry out the following manipulations:

1. We clean off the bulk of the dirt mechanically, using a knife or something similar.
2. Next, in a tall glass made from a plastic bottle (just cut off the neck), dilute citric acid. For 2 standard sachets of powder, about 2 liters of warm water.
3. We place the heating element in this structure for at least a day. This time will be enough for all the dirt to come off and the heating element to return to its original appearance.

After these manipulations, you can assemble the boiler, test it and subject it to further operation.

Features of cleaning a dry heating element

A dry heating element is a special analogue of a traditional element with a ceramic coating. The approach to cleaning it at home is not much different from that described above, but still has a number of nuances:

• In this case, cleaning the water heater prohibits the use of a mechanical pre-treatment method. The appearance of even the smallest scratches on the surface of a product can negatively affect its functionality.
• To soak an item to remove scale, you can use not only citric acid, but also a concentrated vinegar solution. In addition, you can choose the appropriate household chemicals from a specialized store. The main thing is not to deviate from the rules set out in the instructions.

After all work is completed, the heating element is washed in clean water and installed in its place. No need to dry it! The device is ready for further work.

Effective means for removing scale from a boiler

Before cleaning the inside of the boiler, you need to decide on a suitable cleaning agent. Citric acid is also considered the best option for descaling.But to achieve the desired effect, it is recommended to increase the concentration of the solution at least 2 times. Specialized products are no less effective. Despite the slightly inflated cost, such reagents allow you to achieve the desired result in just one approach.

Now you need to figure out how the prepared composition will end up inside the device so that cleaning of the boiler can begin. In practice, everything turns out to be quite simple:

• First, empty the container by a third through the hot water tap.
• Then we connect a hose to the drain fitting, through which we pour the prepared solution to dissolve the scale. There will be no problems with this if the end of the hose is located above the device.
• After the composition is poured, turn off all the taps so that the mass can act on the deposits. Depending on the type of product and the intensity of contamination, the solution can remain in the container from several hours to a day.
• After the required time, drain the liquid and thoroughly rinse the boiler with clean water.

This type of descaling option can also be used in cases where the heating element cannot be removed due to design features. Then the device is completely removed and all manipulations are carried out in exactly the same way, only there is no need to disassemble the device. This troublesome manipulation can take a lot of time, especially if a lot of dirt has accumulated in it during the operation of the boiler.

Timely and correct cleaning of the boiler and its elements can increase the service life of the device, reduce the risk of its breakdown, and increase functionality.