In most urban apartments, heating systems do not change for decades. The water supply network is significantly worn out. Therefore, in many apartments and houses, even when the heating is turned on at full power, it is quite cold. The reason for this is the decrease in pipe efficiency. Many change them even in new buildings. Replacement is also made in private homes. How are heating system pipes replaced and what materials to choose for this? Find out in our article today.
Dismantling work
The process of replacing heating systems will significantly increase their efficiency. To increase efficiency, it is important to completely dismantle the old supply lines and radiators within the apartment. Ideally, you need to perform the removal of the whole riser, although this is not always possible. Old communications are usually cut, and then universal couplings are installed . The latter serve to reduce the risk of leaks.
Before replacing
heating pipes in an apartment, it is better to notify the housing office workers in advance. This will have to be done if the work is performed during the heating season.
Experts recommend changing pipes in the summer. But then there are certain difficulties with checking the tightness. Although the worst thing that can happen is a leak due to water hammer, when the heating system will be launched.
What do you need to know?
Before you start calculating costs, choosing materials, you need to find out and understand the main characteristics and indicators of heating systems.
- The main indicators of any heating system.
- Workloads.
- Pressure level.
- Average temperature.
- Terms of operation.
- Permissible level of system loads.
For old houses, it makes no sense to install expensive products that have a long service life. The replacement of heating pipes in residential buildings is carried out only when the heating system is completely shut off and there is no heat carrier in it.
Disassembly Features
Old communications are best cut off with a grinder. In order to maintain the finish, a metal sheet is installed behind the pipe near the wall. The cut should be as even and perpendicular as possible, in order to then simplify the process of mounting the elements of the connecting parts between new pipes and old parts. After the screening process for the niches under the batteries, holes for mounting radiator holders are marked out. Batteries should already be purchased by then.
After installing the radiators, they go on to replace the heating pipes. In a new building, this will be done either in the old house - there is no difference in technology. The dimensions of the radiator pipes and the old pipe should be the same. If there is a difference, then the situation can be improved by installing adapters and connectors. A single size is important for unimpeded circulation of the coolant and to reduce the amount of sludge.
Scheme of heating systems
For the correct calculation of the amount of necessary materials and elements for wiring the heating system, it is important to draw up a diagram - it can be single-circuit or double-circuit.
Sometimes the replacement of heating pipes is done before the pipes become unusable. This usually happens due to low efficiency in the heating system along with clogged radiators. So, in the riser, the coolant is hot, and the radiator is cold.
Also, the circuit may be weak or ineffective. This happens when a one-room apartment is connected to the "return". As a result, the apartment is always cold. Change pipes and for simpler reasons. This may be an excess of air or a noisy flow of coolant.
As for the schemes, as we said earlier, one and two-pipe systems are distinguished. The first uses a pipe with a diameter of 25 to millimeters. In places of summing up to radiators, it narrows a little. In two-pipe systems, the coolant moves along straight sections, and then is discharged along the "return". In apartments with a large number of windows and radiators, it is better to purchase a wider pipe. This will reduce heat loss and increase the efficiency of the system. Specialists recommend that, regardless of the supply and discharge scheme, two shut-off valves be installed.
Why is this done? Shut-off valves are needed to shut off the supply and return if necessary. Ideal when taps are installed in each room.
Selection of materials
In heating systems apply:
- Hardware.
- Polypropylene with fiberglass or aluminum reinforcement .
- Metal-plastic materials.
- Polypropylene pipes.
Which is better to choose? Each material has both advantages and disadvantages, its own characteristics of installation and connection with various materials. Below we describe in detail their features.
Steel pipes
The market offers many different options, but based on the fact that the temperature and pressure levels in the heating system of apartment buildings often exceed normal values, most materials can be excluded. So, cross-linked polyethylene can not withstand the coolant, the temperature of which is 100 degrees or more.
Steel pipes are widespread because they are offered at a low cost and are able to withstand enormous loads. Among the disadvantages it is worth noting the susceptibility of steel to corrosion. Some time after replacing the heating pipes, a rusty coating will form inside. In the future, it will degrade the efficiency of the system.
The next disadvantage is the inability to do it yourself without the presence of welding equipment.
The process requires special skills, and without qualification, even with a welding machine, you should not carry out the work yourself. To maintain an attractive
appearance for a long time
, the pipes should be painted. The system is constantly hot, so you need to purchase the appropriate paint. But when replacing heating pipes in the basement, metal products are the most suitable option.
Galvanized
This material has all the advantages of steel pipes, but does not have most of the disadvantages. Due to zinc spraying, the product is well protected from corrosion. A natural flaw is that these pipes are more expensive. Installation is carried out in the same way as in the case with steel counterparts. But during the welding process, harmful substances will be released due to zinc. This is the main disadvantage of the product.
Metal-plastic
This is one of the most popular solutions. It is metal-plastic products that they prefer to use to replace heating pipes in an apartment building, private households and any other objects.
Among the features - low weight, non-susceptibility to corrosion processes, simple assembly and installation. Welding is not needed here. Plastic pipes are assembled using a wrench. When using press fittings, you can do without a key.
Polypropylene
These products are distinguished by aesthetic appearance. They do not need to be painted. These pipes are quite flexible, but durable. They are an excellent alternative to metal products. Installation can be done by yourself. The installation of expansion joints reduces water hammer.
The heating system on such a pipe will be economical, but it is necessary that the whole staircase passes to them. The material can withstand high temperatures, and the service life is very long. The new system is installed by soldering technology. And connection with other elements is carried out using accessories.
Installation of a metal-plastic pipe
With metal, everything has long been clear, but modern materials require new installation technologies. So, the process of joining metal-plastic pipes is as follows. Using a pipe cutter, the desired material size is cut. If a burr has appeared, then it is removed with a special example. The knife cannot be used. Then put the fitting on the pipe and push it away. The end of the pipe should be crimped. A sealant is wound on the return pipe. Then the gasket is installed and the fitting is screwed on.
Installation of polypropylene products
Recently, a polypropylene pipe has been used to replace heating pipes . Installation is carried out according to the combined technology. So, fittings are used, and soldering is used to connect straight sections. We will describe it in detail below.
Soldering process
Before starting work, an apparatus is prepared, a set of nozzles for it, a pipe cutter for polypropylene products, a shaver, as well as equipment for chamfering. To independently replace heating pipes in a private house, you should learn how to solder pipes. To develop skills, train on unnecessary pieces. First, the pipe is cut into pieces. On the outside make a chamfer. The slope of the latter should be 15 degrees, and the depth - 2-3 mm. The requirements for foreign communications are slightly different.
The device is installed on a special stand and heated to a temperature of 260 degrees. When the device heats up, a pipe is installed in it on one side, and a special pin on the other. A fitting is subsequently mounted on the latter. Soldering time is strictly limited. Otherwise, the connection will be unreliable. After heating, the parts are quickly removed and docked. In this case, axial displacements must be avoided.
Finally
So, we found out how to replace the external heating pipes and internal. Regardless of the type of home, the procedure has the same technology.