DIY steam generator repair

The steam generator today has become an indispensable household appliance for many people. With its help, you can quickly iron even heavily wrinkled linen after washing, smooth out folds on outerwear, vertical curtains, and process the surfaces of upholstered furniture. As a rule, these devices are reliable and serve for a long time as assistants in everyday life, but it also happens that equipment breakdowns occur. Serious malfunctions will require service repair by professional specialists, and you can try to fix minor defects yourself.

The main malfunctions associated with the operation of the steam generator can be seen when using it. After a visual inspection while working with the device, the following signs will become apparent:

• plugged in appliance does not generate hot steam;
• does not seem possible adjust the pressure level;
• heating of water in a special container of an electrical appliance takes a very long time, or the water does not heat up at all;
• water level is not detected on a special indicator;
• from the steam generator housing water leaks;
• the integrity of the power cord is broken, or there is a malfunction in the plug;
• steam from the steam generator is constantly flowing and does not lend itself to regulation by the button of its supply;
• hot steam comes out from under the valve lids of a container for filling water;
• working surface the iron does not heat up;
• water is supplied from the soleplate together with steam, painted in rusty color.

It makes sense to undertake minor repairs only if you have the skills to repair complex household electrical appliances.

Depending on what kind of breakdown occurred in your household steam station, the step-by-step instructions for fixing it will be different.

Consider the most frequent breakdowns and ways to repair the steam generator if it breaks down.

One of the most common breakdowns is a disruption in the supply of steam through the steam generator. This problem happens for a number of reasons.

• When using low-quality water containing various impurities, the filter on the appliance quickly clogs up, as a result of which the steam supply stops. You can eliminate the malfunction as follows: unscrew the long flexible hose of the steam generator, take out the filter in the form of a mesh and rinse it, then reassemble all the parts in the reverse order, and then test the operation of the device.
• The holes on the working surface of the iron are clogged with limescale, and its particles impede the escape of steam. To fix this problem, fill the water tank with descaler. If it is not at hand, prepare a solution, consisting of 1000 ml of water and 10 g of citric acid powder. Switch on the appliance, and let the water boil. Then the steam generator is turned off, they give time for the water in it to cool down. Now drain the solution through the hole, into which you poured it before this procedure - you will see that the liquid pouring out of the appliance has a dark brown color. This procedure must be repeated several more times until the drained solution becomes clear. The reservoir is then rinsed with clean water and your steam generator is ready for use again.

Instead of steam, water can flow from the steam generator. You can identify and eliminate such a malfunction yourself.

• The stop valve is out of order. You can verify this if, by pouring water into the device and shaking it from side to side, you see drops of water near the valve. Such a malfunction can be corrected by tightening the valve tighter before operation, sometimes this requires a complete valve replacement.
• The steam hose is kinked or damaged. When steam is supplied, water will accumulate inside the hose due to a blockage, and during use of the steam generator it comes out. To allow the hot steam to pass freely through the hose again, the water accumulated in it must be drained. To do this, turn off the appliance, let it cool completely, straighten the hose, lift it above the steam generator, then let the water drain out.

It happens that the steam station does not turn on. There may be several reasons for this.

• Some appliances are designed to automatically cut off the power supply if the steam generator is clogged with limescale deposits. When the Decal indicator lights up on the control panel, you will need to clean the water tank with special agents or a 10% citric acid solution.
• The power cord of the appliance may be damaged, but you cannot see it under the braid. Sometimes when you turn on the appliance, you may smell burnt plastic. Such a malfunction is difficult to diagnose and fix at home. In this case, you will need to replace the power cord, and this is best done in a specialized workshop.
• The steam generator may not turn on for other reasons. For example, as a result of the failure of the power button or due to the fact that the control board in the device has burned out. Such breakdowns can only be eliminated by a specialist who knows how to repair household electrical appliances.

For example, an electrical outlet is out of order, or there is a power outage in the apartment. It happens that the power indicator light on the instrument panel simply burns out, although the steam generator itself is working and supplying steam.

During the steaming process, a liquid with a rusty tint may flow from the steam station, or the steam is supplied with the smallest particles of rust, leaving traces of a reddish color on the fabrics. Consider the causes and their elimination.

• Rust has formed in the water tank, which has entered the steam hose and clogged the coarse filter. This happens if, after working with an electrical appliance, do not drain off the remnants of unused tap water, which for a long time acts on the walls of the tank, causing corrosion in it. To remove rust, turn off the steam generator, let it cool down, drain the contaminated water, then rinse the tank, then fill in a new portion of the liquid and use the device. Using distilled water will help prevent this problem.
• Long-term use of the steam station at extreme heating levels may damage the silicone gaskets. This is because the heating element melts them, thus coloring the water and preventing the liquid from converting to steam. You can eliminate such a malfunction by replacing the gaskets or heating elements. Repair of this level of complexity is carried out in the workshop.

When heated, the appliance may spray small amounts of water and steam.

• This is due to the fact that water in the form of condensation accumulates near the holes in the heating sole of the iron, and when the appliance is turned on, the liquid comes out to the surface. In this case, no special repair measures are required. After the condensate has evaporated, the steam generator will work as usual.
• If the appliance is equipped with automatic descaling, in the event of residual water in the tank after operation, when turned on again, it will come out through the steam supply holes in the form of splashes. The problem can be eliminated without repair - just press the steam button several times.

In the steam generator, the water is converted into steam under pressure, and if the setting of this option is not working, the steam output is significantly reduced.

• Check if the appliance is clogged with limescale - if you clean it, then often the function of the steam generator is restored.
• Expensive steam generator models are equipped with automatic regulation of the supplied steam power. To determine the malfunction, try operating the device in several modes. If the steam pressure is reduced in all modes, it means that the electronics are out of order, which can only be restored in a service workshop.

During the operation of the steam generator, other malfunctions may occur, which cannot always be eliminated on their own at home.

• When using the appliance, a puddle forms underneath. Such a malfunction requires an urgent disconnection of the steam generator from the power supply, since the situation may threaten you with electrical injury. The reason for the leakage of liquid may be associated with a violation of the integrity of the water tank, which must be replaced in the workshop.
• With prolonged operation, the sensors of the electrical appliance often burn out. Most often, the water level indicator fails, the steam supply button falls, the pressure level switch. Diagnostics and repairs will require the use of special tools that not everyone has at home.

Repairing complex household electrical appliances requires certain skills.

If you notice malfunctions in the operation of the steam generator, for self-diagnosis and attempts to eliminate them repair experts advise you to adhere to these rules:

• perform all manipulations only when the device is disconnected from the power supply and its complete cooling after heating;
• while checking the operation of the electrical appliance carry out all tests on a light-colored piece of cloth, which then it will not be a pity to throw it away;
• if you smell a burnt wiring, the appliance sparks or smokes - unplug it immediately and take it to a service center.

Their addresses are listed on the warranty card that came with your steam generator. Repair by a private master is not always effective and of high quality.

For information on how to disassemble and repair the iron, see the video.