In most urban apartments, heating systems have not been changed 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. This is due to the decrease in the efficiency of pipes. Many change them even in new buildings. Replacement is also carried out in private homes. How is the replacement of pipes of heating systems carried out and what materials to choose for this? Find out in our article today.
Dismantling work
The process of replacing heating systems will greatly improve their efficiency. To increase efficiency, it is important to completely dismantle the old supply lines and radiators within the apartment. The ideal is to remove the entire 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 the heating pipes in the 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 is started.
What you need to know?
Before you start calculating costs, choosing materials, you need to find out and understand the main characteristics and performance of heating systems.
- Key indicators of any heating system.
- Workloads.
- Pressure level.
- Average temperatures.
- Lifetime.
- Permissible load level on the system.
For old houses, it makes no sense to install expensive products that have a long service life. Replacement of heating pipes in residential buildings is carried out only when the heating system is completely blocked, and there is no coolant in it.
Dismantling Features
Old communications are best cut with a grinder. In order to preserve 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 elements of connecting parts between new pipes and old parts. After finishing the process of shielding the niches under the batteries, mark the holes forinstallation of radiator holders. Batteries should already be purchased by then.
After installing the radiators, they proceed to replace the heating pipes. This will be done in a new building or an old house - there is no difference in technology. The dimensions of the radiator pipes and the old pipe must be the same. If there is a difference, then the situation can be improved by installing adapters and connecting elements. A single size is important for unhindered circulation of the coolant and reducing the amount of sediment.
Scheme of heating systems
For the correct calculation of the amount of materials and elements needed for wiring the heating system, it is important to draw up a diagram - it can be single-circuit or double-circuit.
Sometimes replacement of heating pipes is done before the pipes fail. This is usually 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 scheme may be weak or inefficient. This happens when a one-room apartment is connected to the "return". As a result, the apartment is always cold. Pipes are also changed for simpler reasons. This may be excess air or noisy coolant supply.
As for the schemes, as we said earlier, there are one- and two-pipe systems. In the first, a pipe with a diameter of 25 to millimeters is used. At the points of connection to the radiators, it narrows a little. In two-pipe systems, the coolant moves along straight sections, and then is discharged along"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. Experts recommend installing two stopcocks, regardless of the supply and discharge scheme.
What is this being done for? Shut-off valves are needed to shut off the supply and return as needed. Ideally, when taps are installed in every room.
Selection of materials
Use in heating systems:
- Metal products.
- 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 features of installation and connection with different materials. Below we will describe their features in detail.
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 cannot withstand a coolant whose temperature is 100 degrees or more.
Steel pipes are widespread because they are offered at low cost and can withstand enormous loads. Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the susceptibility of steel to corrosion. Some time afterreplacement of heating pipes, a rusty coating will form inside. In the future, it will degrade the efficiency of the system.
The next drawback is the impossibility of installing it yourself without welding equipment.
The process requires special skills, and without qualifications, even with a welding machine, you should not do the work yourself. To maintain an attractive appearance for a long time, 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. The natural disadvantage is that these pipes are more expensive. Installation is carried out in the same way as in the case of steel counterparts. But during the welding process, harmful substances will be released due to zinc. This is the main drawback 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.
Features include light weight, resistance to corrosion, easy assembly and installation. Welding is not required here. Metal-plastic pipes are assembled with a wrench. When using press fittings, you can do without a key.
Polypropylene
These products have an aesthetic appearance. They don't need to be painted. These pipes are quite flexible, but strong. They are a great alternative to metal products. Installation can be done by hand. Installing compensators reduces water hammer.
The heating system on such a pipe will be economical, but it is necessary that the entire entrance pass to them. The material can withstand high temperatures well, and the service life is very long. The new system is installed by soldering technology. And the connection with other elements is carried out using accessories.
Installation of metal-plastic pipes
With metal, everything has long been clear, but modern materials require new mounting technologies. So, the process of connecting metal-plastic pipes is performed as follows. Using a pipe cutter, cut the desired size of the material. If a burr appears, then it is removed with a special reamer. The knife cannot be used. Then a fitting is put on the pipe and pushed away. The end of the pipe should be pressed. A sealant is wound on the return pipe. Then the gasket is installed and the fitting is screwed on.
Installation of polypropylene products
To replace heating pipes, a polypropylene pipe has recently been used. Installation is carried out using a combined technology. So, fittings are used, and soldering is used to connect straight sections. We will talk about it in detail later.
Soldering process
Before starting work, prepare the apparatus, a set of nozzles for it,pipe cutter for polypropylene products, 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 a skill, they train on unnecessary pieces. First, the pipe is cut into segments. On the outside make a chamfer. The slope of the latter should be 15 degrees, and the depth - 2-3 millimeters. The requirements for overseas 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 on one side, and a special pin on the other. The 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.
In conclusion
So, we found out how the replacement of external and internal heating pipes is carried out. Regardless of the type of dwelling, the procedure has the same technology.
