List of the most common breakdowns and tips for self-repair of steam generators

Steam generator - the device is necessary. With its help you can get rid of wrinkles on clothes. Even the most finicky fabrics can be treated with steam. The equipment is used to clean furniture and even to fight bedbugs.

Therefore, when the device fails, this causes certain inconveniences, because the steam generator requires repair.

If the breakdown is not serious, then you can deal with it yourself. In other situations, professional help is required.

Typical faults and step-by-step instructions for fixing them yourself

Depending on the breakdown, instructions for fixing it will differ.. Let's look at the most common malfunctions of steam generators and ways to repair the product at home.

Doesn't produce steam - what's the reason?

A common 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 ways to solve them:

1. The steam supply hole is clogged with scale or limescale.. To fix the problem, you need to fill the boiler with water with the addition of citric acid. 10 g of powder per liter of liquid is sufficient.

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

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

2. The channels were clogged with particles that fell off the inner surface of the boiler. As a rule, this happens in inexpensive devices that have manufacturing defects. If the deformation was minor, 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 request warranty service. Sometimes the device needs to be replaced.

3. The coarse filter is clogged. To fix the problem, you need to unscrew the hose, remove the mesh using tweezers and rinse it. Most often, this breakdown occurs after repairing the water supply system and pouring rusty water into the device.
4. The relay or heating element of the boiler has failed. You cannot do without replacing a broken part; you need the help of a specialist.
5. The water tank is not installed correctly. To deal 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 operation.
7. Steam generator did not heat up to the required temperature. As a rule, this is indicated by a color indicator. You need to wait until it lights up steadily or turns off (it all depends on the model of the device).
8. Steam generator used for the first time. During initial operation, some steam generators do not supply steam immediately, but after 30 seconds. This time is spent starting the engine. This feature is indicated in the user manual.
9. There is not enough water in the tank. Before contacting the workshop, you need to check the level in the device.

What to do if it doesn't turn on?

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

• The power cord is damaged. It is difficult to independently determine the broken location of the wire, unless there is visible damage. Need help from a specialist.

  The smell of burning wiring requires immediate disconnection of the device from the network. Self-repairs are not carried out; you need to contact 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.
• Power indicator burnt out. If the light does not light up, you need to try to press the trigger mechanism responsible for supplying steam.
• The power button is stuck or burnt out. If it fails, then you need to turn off the device from the network and try to press it several times. Perhaps the defect will be fixed. A broken button requires replacement in the service.
• Control board burnt out. It is impossible to cope with such a situation without the help of a specialist.
• The appliance is clogged with scale. Some models require forced descaling, as indicated by the “Decalc” sign. Until the procedure is completed, the device will not work.

Instead of steam, water comes out of the device

If water flows from the steam generator, the causes of the breakdown may be the following:

1. Shut-off valve faulty. It's not difficult to check. You just need to swing the device in different directions. If drops appear in the valve area, it requires replacement.
2. Broken temperature controller, 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 service repair.
3. The device did not warm up to the required temperature. If you start working immediately after turning it on, it will splash water.
4. The water supply hose is kinked or bent. Condensation will begin to accumulate in this place and will come out in the form of drops. To solve the problem, you need to eliminate the bend. The accumulated water is drained by raising 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 rather than steam, then the reasons may be as follows:

• The silicone gaskets are damaged. This happens during prolonged use of the device, due to excessive overheating. A hot heating element melts the silicone, which causes the liquid to color and not be completely converted into steam. In such a situation, it is necessary to replace the thermostat or the device itself.
• 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 noticeable when ironing light-colored fabrics.

  To cope with the problem, the tank needs to be rinsed, filled with clean water and the desired item steamed for a few minutes. This will get rid of any remaining rust.

  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 cause of brown spots is rust, which settles at the bottom of the tank. The longer the device is left idle, the higher the likelihood of accumulation.

  When you turn on the device, rust comes out en masse.To prevent damage to the item, you need to turn off the steam generator from the network, rinse the water container and fill it with new liquid.

Why does it spit and splash?

The main reason for “spitting” water is scale. It clogs the openings of the steam generator, leading to condensation accumulation. It is this that flows out in the form of drops.

Other causes of water release include:

1. Setting the steam output too high. This may cause condensation to accumulate on the surface of the fabric, which will appear as if the appliance is leaking. To cope with the problem, you need to adjust the power of the device.
2. Temperature selected too low. If the equipment is not warmed up enough, the water will not have time to transform into steam.
3. There is still water in the tank after the automatic descaling procedure. It is this that will flow out in the form of splashes. To solve the problem, you need to press the steam button several times.

Steam pressure is not adjustable

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

• The sensor responsible for controlling pressure has broken down. It needs to be replaced;
• the device is clogged with scale, so steam comes out with the same power. The device requires cleaning;
• There was a malfunction in the electronics. You need to contact a specialist;
• A certain mode is selected on the device, for example, ECO. Expensive devices are equipped with several programs in which the steam power is automatically adjusted. Therefore, before starting operation, you should read the instructions.

Supplying steam at incorrect temperature

The steam generator may produce steam at the wrong temperature for the following reasons:

1. Steam button is faulty. To fix the problem, you need to contact the service.
2. There are faults in the electronics. The device needs repair.
3. The steam button was pressed several times in a row. In some models, two or three times the pressure causes steam to be supplied continuously for several seconds at the specified temperature. At this time, it will not be possible to adjust it.

Water doesn't heat up

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

• The thermostat is malfunctioning. Needs workshop repairs;
• The heating element has failed. It needs to be replaced;
• The temperature setting is incorrect. It's easy to check for yourself;
• The automatic shutdown function has activated. Some models can turn off on their own after prolonged use. During this period, the water stops heating. To deal with the problem, you just need to disconnect the device from the network and connect it again.

When do you need professional help at home?

The help of a specialist is required if it is impossible to determine the causes of the malfunction in the steam generator, or if it is not possible to eliminate them yourself. Most often this happens when a part fails.

In order not to make a mistake in choosing a specialist 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 promise the proper functioning of the device in words. Therefore, it is better to contact the service.
2. After completion of the repair, you must request a receipt and warranty service.
3. You should trust word of mouth.Recommendations from friends can help you find a good specialist.
4. The technician will not charge money for diagnostics. Professionals do it for free.
5. You should not leave the device in the workshop if the workers do not provide paper confirming its receipt.
6. All documents must be stamped with information about the organization and its address.

The cost of repairing steam generators varies widely. The more complex the work and the more expensive the model, the higher it will be.

Important Tips

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

• when checking the functionality of the device, you need to direct the steam stream at an item that cannot 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 service.

Video on the topic

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

Conclusion

Simple breakdowns can be repaired independently. The most common cause of malfunctions in the steam generator is scale, so it must be cleaned regularly.