Reasons why the steam generator sprays water instead of steam

A 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 wrinkles on outerwear, vertical curtains, and treat 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 the equipment breaks down. Serious faults will require service repairs by professional specialists, while minor defects can be attempted to be repaired yourself.

Main features of irons with a steam generator

Let's consider the main advantages of operating an iron with a steam generator:

• the ability to iron clothes directly on the hanger;
• irons any material without problems;
• presence of self-cleaning function;
• Possibility of cleaning sofa upholstery.

Like any household appliance, irons with a steam generator sometimes break down and require DIY repairs. In order to carry out such repairs, you should first familiarize yourself with the features of such a household appliance.

Let's look at what main elements an iron with a steam generator consists of:

• a heating element;
• sole;
• temperature controller;
• thermostat;
• steam regulator;
• indicator.

How to find a qualified craftsman?

To find a qualified technician, it is recommended to contact a Philips service center.
If the service warranty period has already expired, you can find a specialist through advertisements on the Internet or through the recommendations of friends. A professional never charges money for diagnostics. Payment is made upon delivery of the service. If the master puts the device away, you need to ask him for a document stating that he received it in his hands.

Specialists who value their reputation always provide a guarantee for the work performed. All documents must be certified with the seal and signature of the master.

Briefly about the design

Regardless of which manufacturer produces a steam generator, for example, Bosch, Philips or Tefal, all devices are characterized by three main parts:

• electronic control unit;
• stand or so-called base;
• iron.

The household appliance is also equipped with special attachments.

Let's consider the principle of operation of the steam generator:

1. The boiler heats the water.
2. As a result, steam is formed.
3. The generated steam is supplied to the iron through a special hose device.
4. There is perforation at the base of the iron.
5. The steam escaping from the holes processes the fabric, smoothing out any kind of folds.

Important! The quality of steaming is not affected by the size of the clothing or its density. Thus, the steam generator has the ability to simultaneously process bed linen, jeans, suits made of wool blends, various synthetic products, as well as materials that require very delicate handling, such as silk clothing.

A household steam generator station manufactured by Tefal differs significantly from household appliances with steaming from exactly the same manufacturer:

• a significant difference is the size - the household station is much larger and more voluminous, while occupying a lot of space in the room;
• in the steam generator, water is supplied to a separate compartment of the boiler, in which it is heated until steam is formed;
• the steam generated is not wet - it is dry with an approximate temperature of about 160 degrees;
• clothes and linen are processed without a device in the form of an iron coming into contact with them, so when processing with steam there is no damage to the clothes and there is no need to worry about the integrity of things.

Steam generator design

Steam generators are a device with a separate station in which a tubular electric heater is located. The steam produced by heating water enters the iron through a special tube.

The station consists of several important elements. For example, it’s worth disassembling the Philips steam generator device. A water boiler is located in the center. In it, the water is heated to the required temperature. Heat-conducting tubes pass under it, which come into contact with the surface of the boiler, transferring the heat passing through them to it. The tubes are heated by heating elements located in them.

At the end of the heating element (tubular electric heater) there is a thermostat, which is needed to control the temperature. A fuse is placed next to it. In the event of an unusual situation, when the tubes become too hot, the fuse melts and closes the electrical circuit, cutting off the power supply to the device. Operating a steam generator without correctly operating protection in the form of a thermostat and fuse is dangerous.

In addition to the above-mentioned elements of the steam generator, there is a valve on it through which steam is supplied from the boiler. The valve ensures that the pressure necessary for boiling water is maintained. Next to it is a steam regulator.

troubleshooting

Why does the steam generator not work and how to disassemble it? When operating household appliances, situations sometimes arise in which various malfunctions occur. Some of them can be diagnosed by characteristic signs - this knowledge allows you to carry out repair work on the steam generator with your own hands.

How to repair a steam generator with your own hands? It all depends on the original cause. If steam generators refuse to function correctly and fail to cope with the responsibilities assigned to them, then in this case there are a number of reasons that cause damage:

• The station stopped supplying steam - the heating element or its contacts burned out. In addition, sometimes there is incorrect functioning of the boiler switch. It also happens that the steam button on the device is simply broken.
• If the pressure stops regulating, then the switch is simply broken.
• The device supplies steam, which is characterized by the wrong temperature - the temperature fuse has blown, the thermostat has stopped functioning.
• There is no voltage - you need to check the power cord, perhaps one of the wires is broken.
• Insufficient water heating - you need to check the container; there may be a lot of different deposits accumulated on its walls.
• If the water level indicator does not turn off, but is constantly on, then the cause may be a broken sensor.
• There is a constant release of steam through the safety valve - perhaps there is not enough water in the container.
• Water has formed under the steam generator station - somehow there is a leak, so to isolate the fault, you should turn off the device.

Important! In order to fully diagnose the device and carry out repairs yourself, it is necessary to have special equipment, since the presence of one soldering iron and multimeter allows you to solve only simple problems and eliminate minor damage.

How to disassemble an iron

The first difficulty faced by those who want to repair the iron themselves is disassembly. This is far from simple and obvious. The easiest way is to remove the back panel. There are several screws that are visible and are not difficult to unscrew. In addition to screws, there may be latches. So, having unscrewed all the visible fasteners, we pry up the cover with the tip of a screwdriver or an old plastic card, and separate the cover from the body.

Underneath there is a terminal block to which the cord is attached. If there are problems with the cord, you can no longer disassemble the iron. But if everything is fine with the cord, you will have to disassemble it further, and this may cause problems.

Some irons - Philips, Tefal - still have bolts under the cover. We also unscrew them. In general, if we see fasteners, we remove them.

Removing the back cover is the first thing to do when disassembling the iron.

Each manufacturer develops its own design, and it often changes from model to model. That is why difficulties arise. But there are several points that are found in almost any manufacturer.

You immediately need to remove the temperature control dial and the steam button, to do this you need to hold them in your fingers and pull them up. The buttons may have latches, so you may need something thin so that you can press them out a little - you can pry them off with a screwdriver.

To disassemble the iron you need to remove the buttons

Some irons, such as the Rowenta, as in the photo, have bolts on the handle (some Scarlet models have them). If there are any, unscrew them. There is also a screw hidden under the removed buttons; we unscrew that too. Then remove the top plastic parts. They are usually secured with snap locks. To make it easier to remove them, you can insert a knife blade or a piece of plastic (plastic card) into the lock.

There are usually a number of bolts under the covers. Having unscrewed them, we continue disassembling until the body and sole are separated. Unfortunately, it is impossible to give more precise recommendations - there are too many different designs. What can be advised is to act slowly and carefully. And several videos on how to disassemble irons of different brands.

DIY repair

If you have a Tefal steam generator model, then you can make repairs yourself, eliminating simple faults. All models have the same design; differences exist only in some nuances.

Let's look at the most common faults and ways to repair a steam generator yourself:

• The station reports that it is ready for use, but when you press the button, there is no steam supply - the button needs to be replaced.
• The steam generator is not supplied with steam - in this case, you should check the functionality of the heating element, fuse, solenoid valve, and clean the steam outlet pipe. In case of damage, it is necessary to clean the boiler tank from scale, replace the thermostat or the hose that serves to supply steam to the iron.
• The pressure switch is characterized by incorrect operation - using a multimeter, you need to check the serviceability of the part. In the event of a breakdown, it is necessary to replace and install a working microswitch or toggle switch.
• The control panel does not respond to pressing a button - the integrity of the wiring is checked, if the problem is not found, then the wiring should be replaced.
• The low water level indicator is constantly lit in the container - it is necessary to check the water level in the container; if it corresponds to the norm, then the reason is in the liquid volume sensor, it needs to be replaced.
• There is a weak steam pressure on the perforated soleplate of the iron - to resolve this problem, it is recommended to check the regulator, and if it malfunctions, replace it with a new one.

It is impossible to foresee all cases that may arise during the operation of the device and cause malfunctions. This list can be replenished with new problematic situations.

Important! This list considers only those breakdowns that the consumer is able to fix on his own. At the same time, the home master must have generally available skills in working with household electrical appliances.

How does the steam supply work?

The steam supply in the steam generator is arranged as follows:

1. The water in the tank is heated to such a temperature that it turns into steam.
2. Hot dry steam flows through the tube.
3. When you press a button on the handle, steam comes out of the holes in the sole.

After water is poured into the tank, it is necessary for time to pass - from 2 to 10 minutes. It depends on the steam generator model.

Read how to use the Tefal steam generator here.

Common problems with steam generator irons

Very often situations arise in which equipment malfunctions result from various mechanical damages, in case of errors during operation of the device and wear of some parts. In this case, typical causes of malfunctions are observed:

• the cord breaks;
• the sprinkler becomes clogged;
• water flows out of the steam generator filler hole;
• The thermostat fails, causing the iron to overheat.

Important! It is unacceptable to immerse the steam generator in water; it is also strictly forbidden to wrap the cord around a hot device; only when the device is turned off can you pour water into the reservoir compartment.

Why is steam generator failure dangerous?

If the steam generator breaks down and starts spitting, the following problems may occur:

1. Instead of steaming, the device begins to wet things. A puddle of water may form, which is dangerous when using electrical appliances.
2. The item will be poorly steamed and wet. In this case, when it dries, it will become wrinkled again. An unpleasant odor and mold may also develop.
3. Droplets of water, possibly rusty, will get on your clothes. They will cause stains.

Important! If water begins to leak from the equipment, then immediately disconnect it from the network. Then you need to determine the cause of the failure.

Video material

If, in the event of a steam generator breakdown, you were able to correctly diagnose and find the cause of the device malfunction, do not rush to disassemble the device and repair it yourself, as your actions may be dangerous. In such a situation, in addition to knowledge of the iron’s structure and experience in troubleshooting electrical appliances, the presence of special tools is also necessary. To avoid unforeseen situations, it is best to entrust your household appliances to an experienced specialist who will quickly and efficiently repair your iron with a steam generator.

Recommendations

If you notice malfunctions in the operation of the steam generator, repair specialists advise adhering to the following rules to independently diagnose and attempt to eliminate them:

• Perform all manipulations only when the device is disconnected from the power supply and has completely cooled down after heating;
• when checking the operation of an electrical appliance, carry out all tests on a light piece of fabric, which you will not mind throwing away;
• If you smell burnt wiring, the electrical appliance sparks or smokes, immediately unplug it and take it to a service center.

When choosing a workshop to repair an electrical appliance, give preference to certified official service centers.

Their addresses are indicated on the warranty card included with your steam generator. Repairs by a private craftsman are not always effective and of high quality.

To learn how to disassemble and repair the iron, watch the video.