The article is devoted important issue faced every day by millions of boiler owners. Learn how to flush a heat exchanger gas boiler Do-it-yourself in minutes and completely free. But remember, if you are not sure, do not take it, a gas boiler is not a test field, there is a danger of an explosion.

For cleaning you will need to use metal tools- pins, scrapers and so on. In the course of work, special care should be taken so as not to damage the surface of the structure.

In some cases, the device is wetted in a container filled with a weak solution of hydrochloric acid. And as soon as the scale softens, you can begin to remove it. At the end of the procedure, all internal voids are washed with water under slight pressure. For this purpose, you can attach a hose connected to the water supply system.

You can see for yourself how much dirt will pour out. You need to wait until clean water starts to flow. Additionally, you can tap the surface of the device with a mallet (this is a special hammer made of wood or rubber).

Burner cleaning

During work gas burners soot is gradually formed, which accumulates and can interfere with the correct operation of the unit. Cleaning an element is mechanical removal pollution. It can be done different ways- remove carbon deposits with special brushes or use chemical solvents. Here everything will depend on the degree of pollution.

Cleaning the heat exchanger

As for cleaning the heat exchanger, the situation here will be somewhat more complicated. The fact is that the element is exposed not only external influences, but it also gets dirty from the inside, and therefore the issue of cleaning it requires more detailed consideration.

Externally, the heat exchanger has some similarities with the car radiator of the cooling system. This is a tube bent into a coil, which is surrounded by transverse plates that serve to increase the heating efficiency. Plates are usually made of metals with high thermal conductivity. Over time, the heat exchanger plates become covered with soot from the gas flame, which accumulates and interferes with the normal functioning of the device. The cleaning of the element is carried out in the same way as cleaning gas burners - using brushes or chemical substances and sponges the outer surface of the heat exchanger is cleaned of dirt.

For the information that helped in the creation of the article, we thank the sites: infoaqua.ru, kottedj.jofo.me, v-teplo.ru, kotlydlyadoma.ru.

It is best not to carry out the work yourself, because there is a high probability that, due to the lack of necessary experience, instead of descaling the boiler, you will have to purchase a new boiler. In the article, we will talk about how important timely cleaning of the boiler is. We will also tell you what is traditionally included in such a procedure.

Cleaning methods

Boiler cleaning involves a standard set of separate methods, which includes both mechanical and chemical cleaning. Another possible way out is pre-cleaning boiler from the dirt that in the future may settle on its walls. Since preliminary operations are very expensive, they are now rarely preferred. Regular cleaning of the boiler from the formed scale is enough to prevent the occurrence of possible emergencies. Much more expensive will be the consequences of the lack of timely descaling, when things can end up not just repair work, but also a complete replacement of heating equipment.

Reagent cleaning of boilers from the formed scale

Such cleaning traditionally includes methods that imply surface treatment with chemical reagents (hence the name). Among such reagents, strong acids are currently especially popular, because they cope with such common types of scale as carbonate and ferruginous with great efficiency. Used for cleaning boilers from scale and other solutions. So, silicate scale can be easily removed if you turn to solutions with high alkalinity for help. In any case, it is very important to choose a washing agent on an individual basis, because the choice is influenced by both the nature of the pollutant and the properties of the pollutant.

Varieties of chemical cleaning

An important step in flushing boilers indiscriminately is the supply of a cleaning solution to the system. The booster pump is responsible for this task. It is very important to be able to regulate the system pressure, because this is associated not only with the supply of cleaning solution, but also with an increase in pressure during the reaction between plaque and acid.

In the case of collapsible cleaning, the system is initially dismantled, and dirty parts are placed in a separate container with a solution for several hours. After that, the elements are washed and reassembled into a single whole. Traditionally, chemical cleaning of the described collapsible type is carried out together with mechanical cleaning from scale. It is best to refer to such an operation if the scale has become significant.

Physical cleaning methods

If we are talking about cleaning the boiler from scale in the complex, then mechanical cleaning is initially performed, and only then chemical. Among the main disadvantages of the physical method, one can single out the fact that the inner surface of the boiler is subjected to negative impact, therefore, it quickly deteriorates, especially if, by negligence, too sharp tools are picked up. Once the cleaning of the boiler is completed, it is important to thoroughly rinse all removed parts with water and reassemble them correctly.

Hydrodynamic cleaning of the boiler heat exchanger involves the removal of contaminants by means of a jet of water high pressure. This method differs from the mechanical one in that it excludes any kind of damage to parts. Although hydrodynamics is very efficient, it is not used as often due to its high cost.

Separate two ways physical methods cleaning the boilers from the formed scale. Both options require a mandatory analysis of the system, which means that it is extremely important for anyone who is interested in such work to purchase necessary tools and provide complete equipment. Since scale is formed mainly on the surfaces of the boiler from the inside, it is impossible to interact with contaminated areas directly. Since the disassembly of the system is a time-consuming and complex process, the cost of physically cleaning the devices from scale is also high.

According to the old folk tradition periodic cleaning of the gas boiler with flushing of the heat exchangers is carried out by the user in case of emergency, when the water is not heated at all or something is broken. On call, a master comes and repairs the unit for your money, cleans and sets everything up. Moreover, the design of most gas boilers used in private houses and apartments allows them to be periodically cleaned with their own hands.

When to clean up

There are 3 options for the development of events:

1. Preventive cleaning of the boiler is done by the homeowner himself once every 2 years at the lowest cost.
2. The procedure is performed as the heat exchangers are contaminated with soot and scale, which reduces the efficiency of heating and heating water for the needs of hot water supply. In this situation, you can still clean the boiler yourself, although the call of the master is also not excluded.
3. The heat generator has stopped due to a breakdown, which often happens during heating season. The malfunction is eliminated by the called specialist, who also cleans the heat exchanger from soot.

The last 2 scenarios are clearly unattractive for the owners of the house, since they are associated with inconvenience and financial costs. You can not do without a master even if a condensing boiler with a burner and a specially designed heat exchanger is used for heating. Climbing there on your own is not recommended, unless you are well versed in heating equipment of this kind.

Conclusion: preventive cleaning and flushing of the heat exchanger is carried out quite quickly and does not require expenses, which is why it is the best solution.

How to clean the heat exchanger of a floor gas boiler

To disassemble the heating unit at home, you do not need any special tools, a regular set with screwdrivers, keys and pliers is enough. Preventive cleaning of the heat exchanger from soot and scale is carried out in the off-season, when it is turned off. Having previously shut off the gas supply, we begin disassembling the boiler by removing the burner in the following sequence:

1. Disconnect all wires from the gas valve.
2. Remove from the combustion chamber the thermocouple connected to gas valve capillary tube.
3. Disconnect the gas supply pipe.
4. Unscrew the 4 nuts (or bolts) holding the stove with the burner. Pull the assembly outward, as shown in the photo:

The gas boiler burner is cleaned without further disassembly using an old toothbrush. The igniter, piezoelectric ignition device and flame control sensor (if any) should also be cleaned of soot. Now you need to get to the heat exchanger, for which you need to remove the top cover of the boiler, disconnect the draft sensor and the chimney. In the opening that opens, you will see a heater covering the chimney casing. Carefully remove the insulation, and then unscrew the screws securing the casing and remove it. Below it is a heat exchanger, from which steel turbulators must be removed, as shown in the photo:

There is no point in talking a lot about how to clean the turbulators, this is done with an ordinary brush with a metal bristle. How about cleaning the heat exchanger? floor boiler This is best done with simple DIY tools made to the size of the fire tubes. If they have rectangular section, then it is necessary to make a convenient flat spatula and a small scraper in the form of a scoop out of thin metal of the planks.

For round flame tubes, the same instruments are made slightly curved. First, the walls of the pipes should be cleaned with a scoop, after which the soot remaining in the corners should be removed with a spatula.

At the end of work, all surfaces of the heat exchanger can be covered with a brush screwed to a long handle. The last step is to remove soot from the bottom, where it was poured when cleaning the smoke pipes. This is what a clean heat exchanger of a heating unit looks like:

You can take a closer look at how to clean a gas boiler at home in the video:

Note. In the presented video, the master violated the sequence of actions. First, he cleans the heat exchanger, and then removes the burner, covered with soot. It’s wrong to do this, first you need to remove the burner, and only then clean off the carbon deposits from the walls of the flame tubes.

We clean the wall-mounted heat generator from soot

Getting to the main heat exchanger of most wall-mounted gas boilers is quite simple. The work algorithm is as follows:

1. Turn off the gas supply by shutting off the corresponding valve.
2. Remove the front panel of the unit.
3. Unscrew and remove the front cover covering the combustion chamber.

So that the soot being removed does not fall into the holes of the gas burner and you do not have to think about how to remove the burner in order to clean it, you need to cover the nozzles with a sheet of thick paper or cardboard. Then, with an old toothbrush, clean the fins of the heat exchange unit from carbon deposits. If the stuck layer does not lend itself, then you can use a brush with a soft metal bristle.

At the end, sweep the unit from the inside with a brush and carefully remove a sheet of paper with soot. How to maintain a wall-mounted boiler is shown in detail in the video:

Rinsing and descaling

The procedure for removing scale from the internal heat exchange surfaces of gas boilers is carried out in two ways: with and without removing the heat exchanger. If you intend to regularly clean and rinse your heat generator, then it is more expedient to choose the second option. Each time dismantling the boiler to remove the heat exchanger is a rather troublesome business. Yes, and the designs of heaters are different, some need to be laid out almost by cogs.

To flush the boiler without disassembly, you will have to make a flushing unit with your own hands - a booster. It is a container of 15-20 liters, filled with flushing solution, with connected hoses. Their ends are connected to the supply and return pipes of the heat generator and turn it on for heating. The circulation is provided by a separate pump, the same as in the heating system. It is even better when a reversible pump is found on the farm in order to periodically change the direction of the fluid flow.

Advice. On the hose that supplies the solution from the booster to the heating unit, put a strainer so that the scale does not circulate in a circle. It is possible that during flushing it will have to be cleaned several times.

Before flushing the main heat exchanger of a gas boiler, the following operations must be performed:

• relieve the pressure in the network to zero using a special valve (such are in some boilers) or on the nearest radiator;
• isolate the heater from the system and empty it;
• check if your unit model has a built-in sump, remove and clean it.

A few words about how you can flush the heat exchanger of a gas boiler. The most popular folk remedy, safe for all elements of the heat generator, is a solution of citric acid and vinegar. According to user reviews of a well-known forum, 9% vinegar or citric acid, dissolved at the rate of 20 g per 1 liter of water, works well. If necessary, the concentration can be increased.

In addition, there are many factory-made products for chemical cleaning of heat exchangers (for example, Antinakipin). The flushing time is indicated on the drug packaging, and when working with citric acid the duration of the process depends on the degree of contamination and can take from 1 to 3 hours.

Advice. If a reversible pump is not available, then periodically swap the hoses during operation, starting the fluid flow in reverse side. In case of reverse flow, the heating must be turned off.

After flushing, fill the tank with ordinary purified water and rinse the unit from chemicals and dirt residues, clean the sump again.

How to flush the heat exchanger of a double-circuit boiler

The method of descaling the DHW path depends on the type of heat exchanger installed in your heat generator. There are only two of them:

• bithermic, it combines the heating of the coolant and water for hot water supply;
• secondary heater from of stainless steel.

It is better to clean the units of the first type with the help of a booster, since it can be quite difficult to remove such a unit. Hoses leading from the tank are connected instead of supply cold water and hot outlet, after which the circulation pump and the boiler itself are started. The heating temperature should be limited to 50-55 degrees.

If there is a secondary heat exchanger in the double-circuit boiler, the latter can in most cases be removed. To do this, the front panel is removed, and then the control unit is unscrewed and moved aside. The secondary heat exchanger is located at the bottom and is fixed with 2 bolts. After removing it, it is immersed in a saucepan with citric acid dissolved in water and boiled for gas stove which is detailed in the video:

Conclusion

To clean the parts of the gas boiler from soot, it is not necessary to call the master; if desired, this procedure is done by hand without any problems. It is more difficult with flushing heat exchangers, here you need to have some skills and confidence that you will succeed. If you opened the panel of the heating unit and lost confidence in the success of the event, then for the first time it is better to call a specialist and carefully follow the procedure. Then next time you can do it yourself.

The boiler is flushed when the apparatus ceases to function normally. At the same time, most users turn to specialists who will clean the boilers for money and make all the necessary settings. But few people think that they can cope with this task on their own. But in vain.

Time to clean the boiler

Cleaning is done in three cases:

1. For prevention. Such washing of boilers is carried out by the owner of the house once or twice a year. At the same time, a minimum of money and effort is spent.
2. When the heat exchanger is contaminated with scale or soot, it reduces its effective work. IN this case You can fix the problem yourself or call the wizard.
3. The heat generator has failed. He just stops. In this case, you can not do without a specialist. He adjusts the system and flushes it.

Boiler flush options

There are only three ways to flush a gas boiler for repair purposes:

• mechanical;
• hydraulic;
• complex.

The second and third methods are the most effective. If preventive or regular cleaning of the boiler can be done by hand, then it is better to entrust the repair to professionals.

The mechanical method is to apply physical strength and tools to clean scale in boilers. These can be scrapers or brushes, as well as modern spreading heads with various types of drives. Tools must be chosen correctly and used with care. If the walls of the boiler are damaged, this will lead to increased corrosion, and then to the rapid failure of the entire system. The least dangerous for the device is flushing with hydraulics. Pressurized water removes scale from all parts of the boiler.

With the complex option, washing of the boilers is carried out by water pressure using tools. Most often this happens if there is too much pollution in some part of the device.

What is a heat exchanger

The gas boiler has in its design an element that is located above the furnace and is a connected tube. They circulate coolant. Its location is not accidental, the combustion of gas in the boiler must heat the coolant, which is located in the heat exchanger.

The coolant is water. As it heats up, it passes further through the system. But untreated water contains many impurities in its composition, which can settle in the tubes when heated. Most often these are salts and lime particles. With a large one, it hardly passes through the tubes, which leads to malfunctions.

Time to clean the heat exchanger

A lot of controversy occurs over when flushing the gas boiler heat exchanger is needed. There are signs that will tell you it's time for a cleansing. The most important ones are:

• constantly switched on in the boiler;
• the circulation pump began to work with noise, which indicates its overload;
• heating radiators heat up much longer in time;
• gas consumption has increased, although the operating mode of the boiler has not changed;
• the water pressure has weakened (pay attention to this sign when you need to flush a double-circuit boiler).

Procedure for flushing the heat exchanger with a booster

The booster is a special apparatus for chemical cleaning. It allows the reagent solution to circulate autonomously in the heat exchanger.

1. The first step is to disconnect both nozzles of the device from the heating system.
2. One of them is connected to the booster hose, through which the reagent will be supplied.
3. The second pipe is also connected to the booster hose, but with another one. The spent solution will go into it. It turns out that the system will close, and circulation will occur, and without additional participation.
4. The spent solution will remain in the booster, it must be drained. Wash the heat exchanger with water.

It is better to clean with a booster several times, as the reagent gradually reduces its properties, and a new solution will increase the cleaning efficiency.

Methods for flushing the boiler and heat exchanger

Boiler flushing is carried out to preserve bandwidth device and its thermal properties.

Devices may differ in the type of heat exchanger and the quality of the water used, depending on this, they should be washed different ways. There are three reliable and proven methods:

• chemical;
• mechanical;
• combined.

flushing the heat exchanger

Boilers are cleaned using reagents, mainly acids, and a special installation is required.

With the help of such an installation, the acid is dissolved to the desired consistency and heated. Temperature significantly affects the quality of washing. After preparing the solution, it is fed into the heat exchanger, and then it is removed.

Cleaning of heat exchangers occurs due to the presence and circulation of acid in it. Finish rinsing with plenty of water.

There is a possibility that the scale consists of various chemical components, therefore, cleaning should be carried out using additional washing of the boilers with other chemicals.

Acid flushing has the following advantages:

• no need to remove and disassemble the device, which saves time;
• after such cleaning, the most common contaminants - hardness salts and magnesium hydroxide - will not remain in the heat exchanger.

There are also disadvantages:

• apply it with a slight degree of pollution;
• those contaminants that are formed due to corrosion cannot be removed by this method;
• safety measures are mandatory, since the reagents are very toxic and dangerous;
• the solution after washing must be neutralized and disposed of.

Washing Reagents

Manufacturers different kind Chemistry provides a choice of several options for the means by which gas boilers are flushed.

Several parameters should be taken into account when choosing a particular tool:

• pollution level;
• the material from which the boiler and heat exchanger are made, their reaction to the purchased chemical agent.

For the cleaning domestic boiler suitable for the following substances:

• - its efficiency in descaling is very high;
• and adipic - are effective for preventive cleanings and regular washing, with slight contamination;
• - this tool is used to eliminate very strong pollution;
• various gels - they need to be dissolved in water (efficiency is in no way inferior to previous remedies).

Chemical flushing of boilers and heat exchangers is carried out only in compliance with special safety measures.

Mechanical method of flushing the heat exchanger

The main difference from chemical method is the dismantling of the entire heat exchanger.

After that, each of the parts is washed separately with a stream of water under strong pressure. This method is used in very rare cases, when pollution is not amenable to other types of cleaning.

Advantages:

• effective at heavy pollution, even corrosion products can be washed only by this method;
• the use of chemistry is excluded - this is an absolutely safe method;
• no need for additional disposal of the washing solution.

Flaws:

• The main disadvantage of mechanical flushing is the disassembly of the whole unit. This is very difficult to do, and some devices do not even have disassembly instructions. In any case, it will require a lot of effort and a lot of time.
• In order for the water pressure to be strong enough, you need to use an additional apparatus.
• The cost of mechanical flushing will significantly exceed chemical flushing due to high labor costs.

The second variant of the mechanical method:

• The first step is to disconnect the boiler from the power supply.
• Disassemble it and carefully pull out the heat exchanger.
• Immerse the element in a container with a low concentration acid solution for a period of 3 to 7 hours, depending on the degree of contamination.
• Rinse the heat exchanger running water and install in its original place.

Experts advise when washing with water to tap a little on the device to improve cleaning. The most effective method is the soaking of parts when cleaning a double-circuit boiler.

The method of combined washing of the heat exchanger

Serious and neglected pollution cannot be cleaned by only one of the methods, therefore, a combined one is used.

The heat exchanger can be of several types chemical pollution, as well as corrosion products. When washing in any of the ways, special balls can be added to the solution, which will create additional pressure and be able to repel scale from the walls of the device.

Conclusion

Flushing boilers and cleaning them from soot is possible without outside help. But it is a completely different matter with flushing the heat exchanger. Here you will need confidence in success - if it is not there, then for the first time you can call the master. At the same time, carefully monitor his actions so that when you clean it again, you can be sure that you can handle it yourself.

Content

Flushing of heat exchangers is required gas boilers with a frequency of 2-3 years. If this procedure is neglected, over time, the boiler unit will become worse at coping with its functions, its efficiency will drop by almost half, and in order to maintain the usual temperature regime during the heating season, you will have to force the unit to constantly operate at full capacity.

Gas boiler heat exchanger in need of cleaning

Why is this happening and why is it dangerous? Cleaning the heat exchangers from the outside makes it possible to remove the accumulated layer of soot - the thicker the layers, the worse the boiler works and the higher your energy costs. Flushing the boiler from scale helps to remove scale that has settled on inner surface heat exchanger. Due to scale, the working section of the heat exchanger narrows, the coolant warms up more slowly - this also negatively affects the efficiency of the autonomous heating system and adds load to the boiler.

If preventive maintenance of a gas boiler is not carried out in a timely manner, gas costs increase every month and the risk of boiler breakdown increases. Steel boilers, constantly working at full power, quickly burn out. In the vast majority of cases, boilers fail at the height of the heating period, when they operate at full load. Calling a master to repair a boiler unit with mandatory cleaning and flushing of the heat exchanger will cost a serious amount.

To avoid problems and save money, it is enough to carry out preventive measures every three years. Flushing a gas boiler is a set of works that can be done on your own, spending from 1.5 to 4 hours on everything.

How to clean the heat exchanger?

Cleaning of the heat exchanger is carried out at the end of the heating season. To carry out the work, it is enough to have a standard set of tools available. Before starting work, it is necessary to disconnect the boiler unit from gas network(main or local) and electricity.

Consider, how to clean a floor standing gas boiler:

• first of all, the burner is dismantled;
• it is required to disconnect all wires from the gas valve;
• a thermocouple is removed from the combustion chamber, which is connected to the gas valve by a capillary tube;
• the fuel supply pipe is disconnected;
• the bolts or nuts (4 pcs) are unscrewed, fixing the stove with the burner, the assembly assembly is taken out.

It is convenient to clean the burner of a gas boiler with an old toothbrush. Soot must also be removed from the flame control sensor, igniter, piezoelectric device for automatic ignition.

To get to the boiler heat exchanger, remove the top cover of the unit, disconnect the draft sensor and the chimney, remove the insulation, dismantle the casing fasteners and the casing itself. Having gained access to the heat exchanger, it is necessary to remove the turbulators from it.

A soft metal brush is suitable for cleaning the turbulators, and the heat exchanger itself is freed from soot deposits with a miniature scraper made of thin metal. A brush with a long handle is also used. First of all, the smoke pipes are cleaned and swept, then the soot that has fallen on the bottom should be removed.

Cleaning the wall-mounted heat generator. After turning off the gas supply, it is necessary to dismantle the front panel of the boiler. Then the front cover is unscrewed, which closes the combustion chamber. It is recommended to cover the nozzles with a sheet of thick paper so that the burner does not become clogged with falling soot. Do-it-yourself cleaning of the heat exchanger of a double-circuit boiler is carried out using an old toothbrush or a brush with metal bristles. After the cleaning is completed, it is necessary to cover the heat exchanger with a brush and carefully remove the paper with the collected soot. How the procedure is performed, see the video below.

Flushing of a single-circuit and double-circuit gas boiler

Flushing the gas boiler heat exchanger is necessary to remove internal deposits that can disrupt the normal circulation of the coolant in heating system and cause feed problems hot water to the local DHW system. Substances that destroy the metal may also be present in the deposits.

How often this measure is required depends on the type of coolant. If purified water circulates in the system, it is enough to do prophylaxis every four years, removing deposits. The system with antifreeze should be flushed every two years and the coolant should be changed regularly - under the influence of high temperatures it changes properties over time and can become dangerous for the metal elements of the system.

How to flush the heat exchanger of a gas boiler?

Do-it-yourself flushing of the gas boiler heat exchanger is carried out mechanically or chemically, with the second option being more efficient.

mechanical way . In this case, remove the heat exchanger to clean it manually. Dismantling this part is a troublesome task, the complexity of which depends on the design of a particular boiler model. In any case, the result of mechanical washing is lower than that of chemical washing.

Chemical method . Allows you to flush your boiler without dismantling the heat exchanger, but requires the use of special equipment - a booster.

You can mount it yourself:

• a washing solution is poured into a tank with a volume of 15-20 liters;
• hoses connected to the pipes of the heat exchanger are lowered into the tank;
• the boiler turns on for heating (it is necessary to maintain a stable temperature of about 50 degrees);
• a circulation pump (preferably reversible) should be connected to the assembled system, which will force the flushing solution to pass through the heat exchanger.
• if you additionally install a strainer on the supply hose, mechanical impurities will not be cyclically driven through the heat exchanger.

Note! From time to time, switch the system to the opposite direction using a reversible pump, or simply by swapping the hoses. The heating of the boiler is turned off.

Before connecting the equipment for flushing, it is necessary to relieve the pressure in the heating system to zero using the Mayevsky tap, drain the coolant from the heat exchanger, and clean the built-in mud filter of the boiler (if any).

Flushing the double-circuit heat exchanger

If the double-circuit unit is equipped with a bimetallic heat generator that simultaneously heats the coolant and prepares water for hot water supply, then cleaning is carried out according to the method described above, using a booster.

For models with a secondary heat exchanger, this stainless steel part must be removed and washed separately. For dismantling, remove the front panel, unscrew and slide the control unit. The secondary heat exchanger for the gas boiler is bolted at the bottom. It is removed and boiled on the stove in water with citric acid or a special agent.

How to flush the heat exchanger of a gas boiler?

Citric acid - popular folk remedy, the solution is prepared at the rate of 20 g of acid per 1 liter of water, but a higher concentration is also allowed. You can also use special means, safe for metal and heating system seals.

In any case, on final stage cleaning through the heat exchanger should be driven with a booster clean water to remove traces of cleaning agents aggressive to metal, and only then bring the unit into working condition.

How to carry out cleaning and flushing work without removing the heat exchanger using circulation pump see the next video.