Korean Job Discussion Forums

poppy56 · Joined: 04 Nov 2009

I just returned from 2 weeks vacation and I have no hot water and the floor heating doesn't work either. When I press the button to turn on hot water it just starts blinking. Someone is coming tomorrow to fix it and they said the boiler is out of water. I oculd understand this happening in the winter with pipes freezing but not in the summer. Should I have left it on while I was away or at least on timer? I am not sure if I will have to pay or the landlord but was wondering if anyone had this happen and what the cost was to fix? If it was my fault then I may get stuck with the bill.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

I once had a problem with the boiler, but it was an electronic problem. It took about 4 months of repeated visits trying to figure out the issue. But finally the repair guy replaced what looked like a mini-computer motherboard. The repair was covered by the landlord. I think it cost in the range of 200,000-won.

My gut feeling says your issue is a similar issue to mine and the technician will probably be stumped as to why it doesn't work. Try suggesting replacing the electronics in it.

indieROK · Joined: 16 May 2010

To OP, this sounds like an extremely common and simple issue. Sometimes the boiler runs out of water and you have to open a valve to let more water in.

The first time this happened to me an ajeossi came over, showed me how to fix it next time, and maybe asked me for 5,000 or 10,000 for his time.

If you have a Rinnai (maybe others too, just going off what I have) I can tell you how to fix it right now... turn off your wall switch, then find the valve on the boiler unit itself marked '물보충벨브" and open it (unscrew) until the boiler fills and water starts to come out of the valve. Then close it up. Turn back on wall switch and you should be good to go.

I have to do this about once every two months on my boiler. One time it didn't fix it so I called A/S and they literally told me to smack the boiler a few times in the upper left corner. Worked great after that.

lawyertood · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 8:56 pm Post subject:

I second indieROK's advice. Just did (opened valve) mine yesterday.

poppy56 · Joined: 04 Nov 2009

Thanks guys, I hope it is just a simple of problem of no water. Someone for A/S is coming tomorrow but I will take a look tonight and see if I can't fix it. A hot shower would be really nice.

UknowsI · Joined: 16 Apr 2009

Maybe I have a similar problem too. When I turn on my heater it often shows what I guess is an Error Message, a red light turns on and the number "10" is shown. If I turn it on and off again a few times, it usually starts to work, but can take 5 minutes or so.

I haven't called AS since it just takes a bit longer than usual, but I hope it's just turning a valve to fix it.

poppy56 · Joined: 04 Nov 2009

You guys were right. It was just a valve that needed to be turned to let some water into the boiler. The guy from A/S just called and told me it was fixed. Unfortunately I wasn't there to see what he did so that next time I could do it myself but at least I have hot water again and no talk of charge to me - so either there was no charge or landlord is handling it. Either way I don't care.