A list of the most common breakdowns and tips for self-repairing steam generators

Steam generator - the device is necessary. With it, you can get rid of wrinkles in clothes. Even the most finicky fabrics can be steamed. The technique is used to clean furniture and even to fight bed bugs.

Therefore, when the device fails, it becomes the cause of certain inconveniences, because the repair of the steam generator is required.

If the breakdown is not serious, then you can deal with it yourself. Other situations require professional help.

Typical malfunctions and step-by-step instructions on how to fix them yourself

Depending on the breakdown, the instructions for its elimination will differ... Consider the most common malfunctions of steam generators and how to fix the product at home.

Not giving off steam - what is the reason?

A frequent malfunction of the device is the lack of steam after it is turned on. You can cope with the problem yourself if you correctly determine the cause.

The most likely problems and how to solve them:

1. The steam inlet is clogged with scale or limescale... To eliminate the malfunction, you need to pour water into the boiler, with the addition of citric acid. 10 g of powder is enough per liter of liquid.

   You can also use the store-bought Calgon product. When the water with the selected oxidizer is inside the device, it is turned on and the unnecessary cloth is steamed for 3-5 minutes.

   Turn off the device and leave it to cool and corrode the scale for 2 hours. Drain the water from the boiler. Rinse it with clean water until it becomes transparent.

2. The channels are clogged with particles that crumbled from the inner surface of the boiler... As a rule, this happens in inexpensive devices that have manufacturing defects. If the deformation was insignificant, then you can try to rinse the water tank yourself.

   When this measure does not give the desired effect, you must contact a workshop or service center and demand warranty service. Sometimes the device needs to be replaced.

3. Coarse filter clogged... To fix the problem, you need to unscrew the hose, remove the mesh with tweezers and rinse it. Most often, this breakdown occurs after repairing the plumbing and pouring rusty water into the device.
4. The relay or heating element of the boiler is out of order... It will not be possible to do without replacing the broken part; the help of a specialist is needed.
5. The water tank is not installed correctly... To cope with the problem, you need to remove it and put it back in place.
6. Steam button not pressed... It is necessary to check its work.
7. Steam generator not heated to the desired temperature... As a rule, this is indicated by a color indicator. You need to wait until it lights up with a steady light, or turns off (it all depends on the model of the device).
8. Steam generator used for the first time... Some steam generators do not deliver steam immediately during initial operation, but after 30 seconds. This time is spent on starting the engine. This feature is indicated in the user manual.
9. Not enough water has been added to the reservoir... Before contacting a workshop, you need to check its level in the device.

What if it doesn't turn on?

If the steam generator does not turn on, then the reasons may be as follows:

• Damaged power cord... It is difficult to independently determine the broken place of the wire, unless there is visible damage. The help of a specialist is required.

  The smell of burnt wiring requires immediate disconnection from the mains. Self-repair is not carried out, you need to contact the service;

• There is no electricity in the apartment, or the socket is broken... You need to see if other devices are working, and also try to connect them to the network where the steam generator was connected.
• The power indicator is burnt out... If the lamp does not light up, you need to try to press the trigger that is responsible for supplying steam.
• The power button is fused or burnt out... If it fails, then you need to turn off the device from the network and try to press it several times. The defect may be corrected. Broken button requires replacement at service.
• Burned out control board... You cannot do without the help of a specialist in such a situation.
• The appliance is clogged with limescale... Some models require forced descaling, as indicated by “Decalc”. Until the procedure is carried out, the device will not work.

Instead of steam, water comes out of the appliance

If water flows from the steam generator, then the reasons for the breakdown may be as follows:

1. Defective shut-off valve... It is not difficult to verify this. You just need to shake the device in different directions. If drops appear in the area of ​​the valve, then it needs to be replaced.
2. Broken temperature regulator, due to which the water does not heat up to the required values ​​and comes out of the device in its original form. This situation requires a service repair.
3. The device has not warmed up to the desired temperature... If you start working immediately after plugging it in, it will spray with water.
4. The water supply hose is pinched or kinked... At this point, condensation will begin to accumulate, which will come out in the form of drops. To cope with the problem, you need to eliminate the bend. The accumulated water is drained by lifting the hose above the device itself. The device must first be allowed to cool.

Rusty water flows

If dark water flows from the steam generator, and not steam, then the reasons may be as follows:

• Damage to silicone gaskets... This happens during long-term operation of the device, against the background of excessive overheating. A red-hot heating element melts the silicone, which causes the liquid to become colored and incompletely converted into steam. In such a situation, replacement of the thermostat or the device itself is required.
• Rust has accumulated inside... It enters the tank along with tap water. Often, small particles are not visible to the naked eye, but they are visible when ironing light-colored fabrics.

  To cope with the problem, the tank must be rinsed, filled with clean water and steamed for a few minutes. This will get rid of any rust residue.

  In the future, it is recommended to use only distilled or filtered water.

• Prolonged downtime of the device with tap water poured into it... The brown stains are caused by rust, which settles on the bottom of the tank. The longer the device is idle, the higher the probability of its accumulation.

  When you turn on the device, rust comes out en masse. In order to prevent damage to things, the steam generator must be turned off from the network, rinsed out the water container and filled with new liquid.

Why spits, splashes?

The main cause of water spitting is scale. It clogs the holes of the steam generator, leads to the accumulation of condensate. It is he who flows out in the form of drops.

Other causes of water release include:

1. Setting the steam output too high... This can cause condensation to build up on the surface of the fabric, making it look like the appliance is leaking. To cope with the problem, you need to adjust the power of the device.
2. Temperature too low selected... If the equipment is not hot enough, then the water will not have time to transform into steam.
3. Water remains in the tank after the automatic descaling procedure... It is she who will flow out in the form of a spray. To cope with the problem, you need to press the steam button several times.

Steam pressure not adjustable

Failure to adjust the steam pressure can occur for the following reasons:

• the sensor, which is responsible for pressure control, has broken. It needs to be replaced;
• the appliance is clogged with limescale, so the steam comes out at the same power. Cleaning of the device is required;
• the electronics malfunctioned. You need to contact the master;
• a certain mode is selected on the appliance, for example ECO. Expensive devices are equipped with several programs in which the steam power is automatically adjusted. Therefore, before starting operation, you need to read the instructions.

Steam at the wrong temperature

The steam generator can supply steam at an incorrect temperature for the following reasons:

1. The steam button is defective... To fix the problem, contacting the service is required.
2. There are faults in the electronics... The device needs repair.
3. The steam button has been pressed several times in a row... In some models, two or three times the pressure causes steam to be supplied continuously for a few seconds at the set temperature. It cannot be adjusted at this time.

The water does not heat up

The water in the appliance may remain cold in the following cases:

• the thermostat is broken. Workshop repair needed;
• the heating element is out of order. Its replacement is required;
• the temperature setting is incorrect. This is easy to check for yourself;
• the automatic shutdown function is activated. Some models may turn off on their own after prolonged use. During this period, the water stops heating. To cope with the problem, you just need to disconnect the device from the network and reconnect it.

When is the help of a master at home required?

The help of the wizard is required if it is impossible to establish the reasons for the malfunction in the operation of the steam generator, or it is not possible to eliminate them on your own. Most often this happens when a part fails.

In order not to be mistaken with the choice of a master and not to contact scammers, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Private craftsmen most often do not give guarantees for their work, or they promise the correct functioning of the device in words. Therefore, it is better to contact the service.
2. After completing the repair, you must request a receipt and warranty service.
3. You should trust word of mouth. The recommendations of friends can help you find a good specialist.
4. The master will not take money for diagnostics. Professionals conduct it for free.
5. Do not leave the device in the workshop if workers do not give a receipt.
6. All documents must be stamped with information about the organization and with its address.

Steam generator repair costs vary widely. The more difficult the work and the more expensive the model, the higher it will be.

Important recommendations

Self-repair of the device requires compliance with the following recommendations:

• when checking the operability of the device, you need to direct the stream of steam to the thing that is not to be worn;
• any repair work must be carried out when the device is disconnected from the electrical network;
• it is forbidden to press the "start" button if the device is directed towards a person;
• the smell of burning or the appearance of sparks is a reason to stop working with the device and contact the service.

Related Videos

We offer you to watch a video about repairing an iron with a Bosch steam generator:

Conclusion

Simple breakdowns can be repaired by yourself... The most common cause of irregularities in the operation of the steam generator is scale, therefore it must be cleaned regularly.