Instantaneous gas water heaters are a traditional attribute of old housing stock. This type of equipment is little known to owners of apartments in high-rise buildings with centralized hot water supply. However, the owners of Khrushchev buildings still actively exploit it. Not all of them know how to install a gas water heater in an apartment.
Agree, this issue needs a thorough analysis. Illiterate installation of a gas processing unit will result in a serious threat. The information contained in our very useful article will help you eliminate the slightest risks. We will introduce you to all the intricacies and details of the installation process.
The carefully verified and systematized information we present is supported by photo collections and videos. With us you will receive complete answers to all possible questions that arise when connecting gas units.
If the column has already been installed before
When changing a water heater in case of malfunction, the device passport must also be replaced. If you install a gas water heater yourself, then the passport of the new device will not contain notes on commissioning and inspections.
According to fire safety requirements, gas equipment in homes must be inspected annually. Unauthorized replacement of a water heater will not go unnoticed and most likely the device will be turned off and sealed
After receiving the comment, it will be necessary to reconnect the column, inviting certified specialists.
Their responsibilities include inspecting the ventilation system. In older homes, they may become clogged with debris. It is dangerous to operate clogged ventilation ducts. This can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal. If the decision to install the water heater yourself is made, then first of all you need to check the ventilation.
List of required documents
To install a gas instantaneous water heater, it is important to collect a number of documents:
- Evidence will be required to prove that the person owns the property and pays taxes.
- You must allow the processing of personal information.
- Provide a gas passport and a letter confirming that the work contract has been concluded.
- Indicate which devices in the house operate using gas.
- Show the passport for the gas meter.
You also need to make a copy of the gasification project page with the appropriate stamps.
Requirements for a room with gas equipment
The place where the gas water heater will be installed must have a cubic capacity of more than 7.5 m3. The height in the room should not be lower than 2.0 meters. According to the standards, this height is sufficient for a gas water heater. The room must have glazing.
The window cannot be solid; it must be possible to ventilate in case of leakage. The total glazing area (without frame) is determined by the formula:
C=O*0.03,
Where:
C is the glazing area. O is the volume of air in the room.
The window must allow air to pass through for emergency ventilation. An ordinary kitchen fully meets these requirements if it is equipped with a door. If there is no door in the kitchen, then it must be installed.
Approximate layout of the column, taking into account fire standards. The door must have at least 0.8 m square meters of closed area without glazing
It is advisable to install a gas analyzer in the room. It will help detect gas leaks. This device is optional, but helps monitor the operation of gas appliances. It reacts to excess propane in the air, and then warns about it with a signal.
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Location of the gas water heater
Standardized minimum ceiling height
Availability of ventilation devices
Ventilation gap in the used room
Requirements for ventilation and chimney
To create air circulation in the room, a ventilation hole is necessary. It should not be clogged, air should pass through it calmly. If you neglect this rule, then in the event of a gas leak, the residents of the apartment will receive poisoning with serious consequences.
The risk of household gas detonation will increase significantly if it is not removed naturally, since a leak can occur at night, when a person is not able to detect it.
For the normal functioning of the gas water heater, an additional chimney must be installed. It can be brought into the common house system or directly onto the street. When constructing a chimney, it must be taken into account that it cannot have more than two bends at an angle of 90 degrees.
The total length of the chimney should not exceed three meters. Three options for the location of the chimney pipe are allowed.
Its location is determined by the location of the water heater. Pipes for removing combustion products must be made of non-combustible materials. It is worth giving preference to chimneys with the lowest thermal conductivity (+)
The pipe must have a vertical section at the point of connection to the water heater. The length of the vertical section must be greater than or equal to 50 cm. The length of the horizontal section of the pipe should not exceed two meters.
It is possible to make a chimney from a flexible corrugated pipe, but it is necessary to prevent its sagging, which can block the removal of combustion products.
The diagram describes in detail how you can and cannot install a chimney in an apartment. In addition to the length of the pipes, there are requirements for their slope. For each meter it is necessary to observe a two-degree slope (+)
If the installation of the column does not involve a chimney, then you cannot limit yourself to a ventilation hole in the wall. It is necessary to install a full-fledged hood, but even in this case, the gas service will have questions about such a carbon monoxide removal system.
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Smoke exhaust from a gas water heater
Corrugated pipe for chimney
Construction of a gas outlet from polymer corrugation
Chimney made of rigid pipes and bends
Manufacturers
Today, bellows liners can be purchased from both domestic and foreign manufacturers. One of the main Russian manufacturers is, which has registered the Monoflex trademark. The quality of this company's products is guaranteed by foreign technologies used in the production process. Products under the brands “Akvatekhnika” and “Flexiline” have also proven themselves.
Also, a budget version of the bellows is offered by the company Zurflex from Belarus. At an affordable price, the quality of this brand’s products can be compared with large European manufacturers, for example the German company Witzenmann. The traditional quality and reliability of the products of this company, located in Germany, is represented not only in bellows wiring, but also in other types of various plumbing equipment.
One of the leading suppliers of water wiring at the moment is the Turkish company Ayvaz, whose equipment has virtually no competitors in terms of technical parameters. Their wiring is reliable, durable and has a thoughtful design that eliminates unnecessary elements. The Italian companies Emiflex and Idrosapiens are the undisputed leaders in the market of flexible gas lines. The bellows hoses of these companies in Russia are certified by Rostest and Gosgortekhnadzor. The service life of such eyeliners is up to 15 years or more.
Often on the market, under the logos of world brands, you can buy fakes from China. There are two categories of Chinese equipment:
- products manufactured in China under official orders from European companies;
- wiring made by pirate method.
In the first case, the customer company transfers production to China to reduce costs due to the low cost of labor and materials. In the second case, the quality of the product leaves much to be desired, which can lead to leakage of water and gas. Also, one should not exclude the presence of various dangerous chemical and even radioactive compounds in the product. Price, unfortunately, is not a guarantee of product quality, so you must carefully study all products and request photocopies of the necessary certificates.
Installation of a chimney in an apartment with wooden walls
In wooden houses, the use of a blue fuel water heater is allowed, but fire safety standards for installing a gas water heater must be observed. The chimney cannot come into contact with wood; non-combustible material must be placed between them.
Basalt or mineral wool can be used as thermal insulation. It is allowed to use heat-resistant polyurethane foam.
This is necessary to prevent fire in the event of strong heating of the chimney. As a rule, old wooden houses do not have chimneys, or they are intended for stove heating. It is prohibited to install gas equipment in unsafe houses.
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Correct installation on a wooden surface
Violation of speaker installation rules
Protective apron made of ceramic tiles
Features of the use of thermal insulation
Column layout rules
The water heater cannot be located on a load-bearing wall of the building. This is directly prohibited by the requirements for the installation of geysers. In the event of an explosion, this may result in damage to the building or its partial destruction.
To clarify the possibility of installing the device, you need to take information from the cadastral passport of the apartment and the general plan of the house. This information can be clarified by calling specialists.
There are requirements for the space from the column itself to the opposite wall. The distance should not be less than one meter. This is necessary for free access to the device for its maintenance and inspection. It is also forbidden to install gas supply pipes into the walls.
This makes it difficult to inspect communications and find gas leaks in the apartment. If this violation is detected, an order to eliminate it will be issued and information will be provided on how to correctly install the gas water heater and where to contact.
The wall where the speaker is planned to be installed must be prepared accordingly. Combustible materials such as wallpaper and PVC panels must be removed from it.
The column must be located at a distance of more than 10 cm from the wall. It is not allowed to install a gas water heater on a wooden wall without prior preparation. A steel plate must be installed at the installation site, equal to or larger in area than the back wall of the device.
It is not allowed to install a column above a gas stove. These devices must be at least 1 meter apart from each other. Also, you cannot use the hood for a gas stove as a exhaust outlet for combustion products. You cannot use one chimney for the hood and gas water heater. This is expressly prohibited by safety regulations.
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Distance standards from the sink
Distance between the stove and the gas water heater
Shut-off valves on the gas supply pipe
Mixer location specifics
Specifics of gas supply installation
The pipes in the apartment are the property of its owner, but unauthorized changes to the gas supply system cannot be made. For any changes, you must obtain permission from the gas service, otherwise a fine will be issued.
If the gas water heater has already been installed in this place, then this will not cause significant changes to the project. It is enough to turn off the gas valve on the pipe and replace it. If you are installing a water heater for the first time, you will need to do some wiring.
The diagram shows how to properly route gas and water pipes. Depending on the material of the pipes, you will need tools for welding metal or soldering plastic (+)
When installing pipes yourself, you must follow the following rules:
- Turn off the gas before starting work.
- Carry out work with an open window.
- Remove debris from pipes that may have arisen during installation.
- Do not route pipes through door and window openings.
- Do not use the ventilation shaft for laying pipes.
- Do not install the gas pipeline into the wall.
- Do not use flexible hoses longer than 3 meters.
- Paint metal pipes.
Particular attention should be paid to sealing the connecting elements of the gas pipeline. To do this you need to use a sealant and sealant. After completing the wiring, you can begin installing the device.
How to install a water heater in a private house
Regardless of whether a new column is being installed or an old one is being replaced, all work is carried out only if several conditions are met. First, a new chimney is installed and communications are laid out. Then the efficiency of the hood is checked and installation of the equipment begins.
Watch the video
Connecting a gas water heater.
The stages of work will be as follows:
- Determining the room and specific location where the water heater needs to be installed;
- Marking the wall and drilling holes;
- We install dowels, the number of which is determined taking into account the maximum weight of the heater filled with water;
- Hanging the column and installing filters to ensure water purification and increase the service life of the equipment;
- Connection of Mayevsky cranes;
- Cutting a pipe and installing a fitting or tee in it;
- Installation of taps and soldering of connecting elements;
- First connect the column to the cold water supply pipe of the house using a hose and a sealant (oakum).
- Monitoring the tightness of connections, which requires opening the water, checking for leaks. If a problem is detected, the seal must be repacked and the nuts tightened. After this, you should also check the draft in the smoke removal system, the norm of which is in the range of 1.95–29.40 Pa. The value of this indicator is influenced by the parameters of the room.
The last stage is performed only by a specialist. First you need to connect the corrugation to the water heater and the chimney duct, and the gas pipe to the tap.
The water heater is attached to the wall using dowels, screws or clips. Now you should connect the gas pipe to the water heater, seal the joints, checking their reliability using a soap solution.
If the joint is not airtight, then by covering it with soapy water this will immediately become visible due to the appearance of bubbles. Tightness is achieved by tightening the connecting nut. During the initial start-up of the entire system, the tightness of the entire installation is checked and adjusted.
Checking the tightness of gas channels
After installing the water heater, you need to check the gas pipes for leaks. If you have a gas analyzer, this greatly simplifies the procedure and improves the quality of the test. If this device is missing, then you can use the old method.
To do this you will need regular soap, a jar and a brush. The soap is dissolved in the jar to form a liquid emulsion. Next, using a brush, the emulsion is applied sequentially to the pipe joints. As you apply, you need to monitor the appearance of bubbles in the treated areas. If they appear, the leak must be eliminated.
Before testing for leaks, you must take the necessary safety precautions. Be sure to turn off all electrical appliances
Under no circumstances should you check for gas leaks using fire. This is dangerous and may cause an explosion. There is no point in risking your life and the lives of your neighbors.
Gas equipment requires regular inspection and periodic cleaning. You can clean the dispenser yourself, but if you have no experience at all in servicing such systems, it is better to contact a company that has entered into an agreement with you for the supply of gaseous fuel and maintenance of the devices involved.
Cumulative
Gas storage water heaters are good at heating water for any need. The amount of heated water depends on the design of the water heater. Such water heaters are: horizontal, flat, floor. Thus, you can choose any one that fits into the dimensions and interior of the apartment. It is also important when choosing such a device to take into account the methods of air flow:
- Forced draft - devices are connected to a chimney leading outside.
- Natural draft - they require a constant supply of air and connection to a common chimney.
There is no need for a special electrical connection to such a water heater, but a chimney is required.
Analysis of the most common installation errors
The most common mistake is installing a geyser in the bathroom. As a rule, this room does not have a window. It is especially dangerous to install speakers without a chimney. There are models of water heaters in which carbon monoxide exits through openings, and is removed from the room through a ventilation hole in the wall.
The second most common mistake is the desire to hide the device so that it does not visually stand out from the interior. Often a geyser is installed in a cabinet. This leads to disruption of the proper functioning of the gas water heater.
Even if a distance of 10 cm is maintained from the cabinet walls and there is no bottom bottom, the air flow will still be insufficient to cool the device. It will take longer to cool down, which will significantly shorten its service life.
The third mistake that often occurs is a mixed-up connection of the gas pipe in the column. This leads to water entering the gas pipeline. The liquid gets there through the gas column and then moves down through the pipes. This is how water enters the gas equipment of the neighbors below, completely disabling it.
Liquid removal is carried out by gas services. Once a source is discovered in the owner’s apartment, the gas will be turned off and a fine will be issued. This is what a gas shutoff order looks like
It is impossible to prevent GorGaz workers from performing a shutdown. In case of refusal, the police will be called, as people's lives are at risk.
Main types of breakdowns
Modern manufacturers have learned to create excellent luxury water heating equipment. It uses gas to operate efficiently and rarely fails. However, even the best gas heaters cannot avoid breakdowns. The list of inevitable malfunctions includes:
- water leaks;
- poor heating of the liquid;
- discharge of power elements;
- weak water pressure;
- lack of gas.
Owners of gas boilers can repair some faults themselves. Anyone can change the batteries in the power supply. It is also easy to eliminate weak water pressure - perhaps excess scale has simply formed in the heat exchanger. To remove it, remove the heat exchanger and rinse thoroughly. For these purposes, you can also use special descaling liquids.
Responsibility for unauthorized installation
If the insertion into the pipe for connecting the column is made bypassing the metering device, then such an act falls under Art. 7.19 AC RF. For this, administrative liability is provided in the form of penalties.
For individuals, fines range from one and a half to two thousand rubles. This is the least possible measure for those illegally connected to the gas system. How an official connection to a centralized gas main is made is described in detail in the following article, which we recommend that you read.
In addition to the administrative code, unauthorized tapping and installation of gas equipment is subject to Federal Law No. 69 “On Fire Safety.” According to the text of the document, the owner of the property bears administrative or criminal liability depending on the severity of the consequences.
If the actions cause property damage to third parties, the owner will be obliged to compensate it in full. In addition, a fine of RUR 80,000 may be imposed for a violation. If significant harm was caused to the health of neighbors, the owner may be taken into custody and imprisoned for up to two years.
Making the unit yourself
Since the principle of operation of the device is simple, anyone can build a water heater with their own hands. The whole process is based on the assembly of component parts.
To make a water heater with your own hands, you need to follow these steps:
- prepare a special container;
- make a coil;
- provide thermal insulation;
- assemble your own water heater;
- connect the heating element;
- provide cold water supply;
- build pipe distribution;
- install water intake taps.
