During the period of sudden changes in temperature, the correct operation of the heating system is very important. It is the warmth in the house that ensures the normal existence of its inhabitants. The elements of this system, which operate under pressure, have some features of operation in difficult conditions.
Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of radiator leakage, pipeline breaks and other troubles, it is necessary to resort to preventive measures. Pressurization of the heating system is a set of measures that consists in assessing the degree of equipment readiness for effective operation.
The main requirements for heating residential buildings and apartments are the uninterrupted operation and long-term operation of communications. The serviceability of the entire system is laid down at the design stage, and the durability depends primarily on the quality of service. It is flushing and pressure testing of heating systems that will ensure a long service life of the coolant.
Importance of flushing heating systems
The quality of heating and the efficiency of its supply are greatly affected by rust, scale, dirt deposits andsand. To eliminate the influence of these negative factors, there are two possibilities. First, to improve the quality of the coolant to the required rate. The second possibility is the regular pressure testing of heating systems.
Improving the characteristics of water is quite difficult, but it is quite possible for everyone to carry out preventive work on cleaning pipes, radiators and boilers.
Problems of the heating system
Scaling that appears on the walls of pipes causes mechanical wear of the metal. Due to deposits, the heat transfer of pipes decreases, their diameter decreases. At the same time, the friction of the coolant against the walls increases significantly, which causes a drop in the speed of the hot water flow. Therefore, the temperature decreases due to thermal resistance.
All these effects of scale cause increased fuel consumption. This will drive up costs, and the efficiency of the systems will constantly decrease. In this regard, pressure testing of heating systems is an extremely important event.
Preparation for work
Pressure is the main characteristic that affects the advancement of the coolant and the quality of home heating. With an increase in pressure indicators by more than 40%, pressure testing of the heating system is necessary. The pressure depends on the number of floors in the building (the higher the number of storeys of the house, the higher the pressure level). Hot water moves through the pipeline under the action of various hydraulic forces. With strong shocks, the pressure may exceed the allowablequantities. To avoid this, it is necessary to carry out preventive work.
Pressure testing of heating systems begins with the preparatory part. All components of the structure should be carefully examined. To create tightness, stuffing box seals are added. If necessary, the pipeline insulation is restored. After that, the building is cut off from the common house heating system using plugs.
Crimp technology
Work begins with filling the pipes with water. The system is connected to the water supply. The liquid enters under low pressure and pushes air out of the apparatus, filling all the nodes. The gas leaving the system must be vented, and in several passes.
To detect a water leak in an apartment building, you need to release air at a certain pressure. Therefore, flushing and pressure testing of the heating system is carried out using a press.
A drop in pressure during pressure testing indicates a seal failure and a leak. The place of the accident can be various threaded connections, batteries, locking units and other elements of the system. It is necessary to find their localization, and then partially or completely drain the water and carry out repair work on the damaged areas.
Pressure of heating systems is carried out until the working pressure is stabilized. To achieve its optimal size, special pumps are used.
BCurrently, three main technologies for flushing the heating system are used. Each method has certain advantages and disadvantages.
Chemical flush
The chemical technology is the most demanded. Scale from pipes is removed with the help of reagents. The composition of such substances includes solvents, alkalis, mineral and organic acids, complexones. It is necessary to work with them very carefully, because they are very toxic.
Chemical flushing and pressure testing of the heating system is carried out using special equipment: a pump, hoses and a reservoir. The solution or powder for work must be selected depending on the material of the pipeline. The work is carried out in several stages, lasts a couple of days. At the same time, the entire system continues to work, and the room receives heat.
The main advantages of this type are ease of implementation, increased service life of the pipeline and full restoration of the throughput of the heating system.
Hydrodynamic flushing
The essence of the method is to remove scale and various deposits with water under pressure. The liquid enters the system through hoses connected with special nozzles. The efficiency of this method is much higher than that of chemical cleaning. But the cost of work is also increasing.
Hydraulic flushing is optimal for cleaning cast iron batteries. In this case, the use of chemicals will be less effective.
Pneumohydropulseflushing
To implement this cleaning method, a special air gun is used. The tool is used for cleaning heating system elements with a diameter of less than 150 mm.
Technology of the method allows cleaning individual nodes and remote sections of the pipeline. Moreover, you can work with an air gun at a distance from the object (up to 50 meters). The work is done very quickly and efficiently, without having to turn off the heat in the houses.
Work equipment
The main tool for carrying out work is a compressor that creates pressure of water or solution. The range of devices on the market is quite wide, each device has its own characteristics and various functions. Therefore, the press for pressing the heating system must be chosen correctly.
When buying a tool, you should pay attention to the technical indicators of the device: water consumption, pulse pressure indicator and others. You should also consider the presence of additional features, such as the ability to add disinfectants to the water.
The automatic compressor system is also very useful. With it, the work will be safer, and the whole process will be under control. The unit must be compact and reliable so that its use does not cause inconvenience.
To avoid trouble with the heating system, it is necessary that specialists regularly carry out preventive maintenance. To perform all the necessary actions, you needconclude a contract for pressure testing of the heating system, in which all the features of the process, deadlines, cost and obligations of the parties will be noted. The procedure should be carried out in the summer, at least once every 5 years. And then the heating will be supplied to the house without interruptions and overlays.
