Your steam iron no longer heating up
We all know a steam iron is essential when there is a lot of ironing in the house. But once this life-saving appliance breaks down, you start wondering if wrinkled shirts are going to be your lot for the next few weeks. But there's good news! You can repair your broken steam iron yourself! In this article, we'll help you find out the reasons for this malfunction, especially when your steam iron is no longer heating up.
WARNING
Before carrying out any work on your appliance, make sure you properly disconnect it from the mains electricity supply.
There is a risk of an electric shock.
The causes for this fault are:
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A fault in the electrics
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The power cord is broken
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A fault in the heating element or thermal safety mechanism
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The pump is no longer working
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The thermostat is no longer working properly
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A solenoid valve fault
A MAINS ELECTRICITY FAULT
The first thing you should check before blaming your appliance is is your electrics. The power outlet may no longer work or you may be experiencing a power cut for a variety of reasons. Feel free to test your plug socket using other appliances and to check your electrical switchboard.
THE POWER CORD IS DAMAGED
It is entirely possible that the steam iron's power cord could be damaged and preventing the steam iron from working properly. Disconnect your appliance and check its power cord for damage - for example a cut. If there is any damage, you need to replace it.
Purchase a new power cord for a steam iron
A FAULT IN THE HEATING ELEMENT OR THERMAL SAFETY MECHANISM
Your steam iron's heating element element is for heating the water in your appliance's tank. However, over time, it may lose its electrical properties or no longer respond. The thermal safety mechanism consists of a klixon cut off switchwhich opens or closes the circuit that powers the heating element. It is anan important safety elementbut also a means of controlling the temperature. If your heating element or thermal safety mechanism has broken down, you will most likely have to replace the heating element.
Purchase a solenoid valve for a steam iron
The klixon cut off switch is a component made of two different metal strips layered on top of each other. When the temperature increases, it bends. Conversely, when the temperature is lower, the klixon cut off switch returns to its original position. Unfortunately, over time, this component gradually loses its shape memory and then you have to change it.
THE STEAM IRON PUMP IS DEFECTIVE
The pump sends the water into a small pressurised tank. If it doesn't work, water can't be pumped into the tank, so there'll be no water to supply the steam for the iron. This may explain why your steam iron is no longer heating up.
When you start ironing, the pump is quite noisy when it starts up. It is hard for you to miss hearing it. If it doesn't make any noise at all, the pump may have broken down.
A THERMOSTAT MALFUNCTION
The thermostat is a control mechanism for regulating the steam iron's temperature. If it is not set correctly or is not working properly, the appliance will no longer heat up properly. If you see that the thermostat thermostat is not set properly, you can correct the problem by changing the temperature. Otherwise, it will have to be replaced.
Purchase a new steam iron thermostat
A SOLENOID VALVE FAULT
A solenoid valve that is electronically operated controls the circulation of water or steam around the appliance. Over time, limestone is deposited on the inner walls of this component and may prevent the piston (tip) from moving around properlyproperly inside. As a result, water or steam may no longer circulate properly when you want the iron to produce steam. You should be able to hear the usual "click" noise then but no steam will come out. You must then replace it. Similarly, if water comes out of the soleplate without any steam being produced, it may mean that the solenoid valve is defective.