Today, when arranging a kitchen hood, corrugated pipes are often used. They are easy to install, and also have a lot of positive characteristics during operation. Today, a large selection of pipes for connecting kitchen equipment to a central duct is on sale. They differ in a number of characteristics. Existing varieties of corrugated pipes for exhaust will be discussed below.
General characteristics
A corrugated pipe is a product that has metal rings in its structure. They are covered with a special material in several layers. The rings are folded in the form of an accordion, clinging to each other. If necessary, the pipe can be stretched. Its length in this case will increase several times.
According to GOST, a corrugated pipe for ventilation and exhaust must have smooth inner walls. Its diameter must comply with established standards. The safety of system operation depends on the correct choice and installation of the corrugated pipe. Proper ventilation allows you to maintain the correct microclimate in the room. Through it, moist, dusty air masses, gases are removed from the room.
The durability and correct operation of ventilation and gas equipment depend on the correct choice of corrugated pipe. Therefore, high requirements are put forward for such products. Corrugated pipes are produced according to a special technology. GOST 50827-95 regulates the main characteristics that air ducts must have.
The advantage of a corrugated pipe is its ability to bend at different angles. Therefore, for its installation it is not required to use many connections. The design does not have a rigid frame. Therefore, if desired, you can bend it in the most bizarre shape. At the same time, the product is plastic. It allows you to install quickly even in hard-to-reach places.
Smoke and ventilation ducts are widely available in different variations. They can be made from different materials, differ in diameter and installation features. These channels need to be chosen carefully. You should also know a few rules for their installation. Otherwise, the duct will not be able to perform the functions assigned to it.
Advantages of corrugated pipes
Exhaust pipes for gas boilers and ventilation, made in the form of corrugations, have a lot of positive characteristics. Therefore, they are in demand by buyers today.
Among the main benefits arenote:
- Quick, easy installation. The pipe bends at any angle.
- You can shorten the length of the channel with ordinary scissors. No special tool is required for this.
- The length of the pipe itself can vary from 1 m to 3 m. Just pull on one end of it. In this case, a channel of the required length will be obtained. This allows you to compensate for errors in the calculation. The length of the channel is easily adjusted.
- Pipe diameter can be selected according to system capacity. Several standard channel cross-sectional dimensions are commercially available. For any element of the exhaust system, you can choose the right option. If an air duct of a suitable diameter was not on sale, you can purchase a wider product. During installation, it is crimped around the nozzle. To do this, use a clamp that makes the connection reliable.
- Light weight. The construction is very light. This allows you to mount the channel with minimal effort and time.
- No additional adapters needed. To bring the system into proper shape, it is enough just to fix the ends of the pipe in the appropriate grooves.
- Exhaust pipe, gas column is inexpensive.
- Long service life. The materials used in the manufacture of air ducts are resistant to various adverse effects. They do not collect dirt and dust inside. Also, the materials are not subject to corrosion, temperature changes.
Due to the listed qualities, corrugated channels displace other types of pipes forventilation. However, they also have disadvantages. This should be kept in mind when wishing to purchase a similar product.
Flaws
The corrugated exhaust pipe has several disadvantages. It should be noted that such products are quickly covered with soot, grease and dust from the outside. Moreover, it will be difficult to wash such pollution. The outer surface of such products is ribbed. In these irregularities, various contaminants accumulate. Therefore, it will take physical effort to wash off grease and dust. At this moment, the hostess can easily damage the exhaust system, the integrity of its fixation points.
If the tightness of the pipe is broken (which is quite possible during the washing process), it will not perform the functions assigned to it.
It is also worth noting that the corrugated pipe for the hood is difficult to assemble in its original position. Therefore, it must be stretched carefully. Otherwise, you will have to work hard to give the channel the required length. It is also worth considering that lightweight material is easy to damage, violate integrity. Therefore, it must be handled with care. It will not be difficult to bend the corrugated pipe. If a bend, a dent appears on it, this negatively affects its performance.
Compared to smooth pipes, the air inside the corrugated channel moves worse. The flow collides with wall irregularities. Because of this, its speed gradually decreases. Therefore, such communications cannot be of great length. They are more suitable for household systems that do not require a largeperformance.
Some varieties of corrugated pipes do not withstand high temperatures. Therefore, they cannot even be installed on the hood in the kitchen, not to mention gas equipment. Therefore, when choosing a product, you need to be extremely careful. The material of the channel must meet the performance requirements of the system.
Of course, corrugated pipes are cheap. However, before buying, you need to find out for what purposes this or that type of channel is used. Otherwise, you will have to buy another pipe. This is an extra cost.
Materials
Corrugated pipes made of different materials are on sale. The two most common varieties are plastic and aluminum. Galvanized pipes are made in the form of a straight, rigid channel. Corrugated varieties, unlike this material, are elastic.
Aluminum is considered a more reliable material. He is not afraid of high heat, temperature changes. It is also a non-combustible material that does not melt and does not release toxic components into the environment. Aluminum corrugation can be operated at temperatures from -30 ºС to +250 ºС.
Besides, it is quite durable material. It is unaffected by moisture and chemicals. At the same time, the aluminum corrugation is distinguished by high aerodynamic performance. Therefore, the air in it moves quieter. When arranging hoods or gas equipment, it is aluminum corrugated channels that are used today. They are practical, durable and have a wide range ofscope.
The plastic corrugated exhaust pipe is neat in appearance. It is made of special heat-resistant PVC. The service life of such pipes is up to 50 years. The product, like aluminum channels, is lightweight. In addition, plastic is absolutely not subject to corrosion. The material from which such pipes are made does not collapse under the influence of aggressive chemicals. The disadvantage of plastic channels is their increased noise.
It is worth noting that, depending on the application, plastic air ducts must have the appropriate characteristics. So, a plastic corrugated pipe, which is mounted to move air, must be two-layer. Its outer edge will be ribbed. In this case, the interior space should be smooth. In this case, the maximum air velocity in the system should not exceed 30 m/s.
It is worth noting that experienced builders recommend choosing aluminum corrugated pipes. Such channels are practical, not afraid of high temperatures. They are stronger than plastic varieties, easier to install. Aluminum products are installed on hoods even at industrial facilities. They are more aerodynamic than plastic channels.
Diameter and length
It is worth noting that the galvanized and plastic pipe is most often made not in the form of a corrugation, but in the form of an even rigid channel. It cannot be bent. When it comes to corrugation, it is the aluminum pipe that immediately comes to mind. This material is considered the best for this type of duct.
However, it is not enough to choose the right type of product. It is also necessary to choose the correct diameter of the pipe. The correct operation of the entire system, its durability depends on this indicator. If the diameter is chosen incorrectly, the load on the channel increases. Sometimes she oversteps the limits. This reduces the efficiency of the hood and also increases the noise level.
Incorrectly selected pipe diameter leads to rapid equipment failure. Therefore, his choice should be taken as responsibly as possible. The choice of the cross section of the channel depends on the power of the hood. You cannot purchase a narrow pipe for high-performance equipment, and vice versa.
To correctly select the diameter of the channel, you just need to measure the outlet on the hood. This characteristic is also indicated in the equipment data sheet. You just need to remember that it is impossible to use adapters that narrow the channel.
A household corrugated pipe 110, 125, 150, 200 mm is on sale. In some cases, a product with a cross section of 100, 120 mm can be used. If the duct is wider, it is suitable for hoods in public areas (e.g. cafes, canteens, food shops, etc.). Corrugated pipe 110 mm is suitable for low power hoods (in a small kitchen). If it is required to mount an air duct for powerful equipment, the widest household corrugated pipe is used.
Also noteworthy is the correct choice of duct length. To purchase a product suitable for a particular case, you needmeasure with a tape measure the distance from the outlet of the hood, previously installed in the appropriate place in the kitchen, to the ventilation shaft. You also need to think about the route configuration. It should be noted that the minimum possible number of turns should be provided. The pipe must not bend too much. This will reduce system performance.
After the measurements, you need to add about 10% of the stock to the resulting length. Excess length can be trimmed. If necessary, the corrugation is stretched, creating a channel of the required length.
Cost
You can buy corrugated hoods relatively inexpensively. It is an order of magnitude cheaper than a stainless steel exhaust pipe. The corrugated variety of air ducts is now sold almost everywhere. It can be ordered through an online store or purchased at specialized construction or hardware stores. The cost depends on the diameter.
Most often, sleeves are on sale, which, after stretching, reach a length of 3 m. This is the most popular channel size. The minimum cost of such a product is 200 rubles. This is a pipe with a diameter of 100 mm. It is suitable for a small kitchen with a low power hood.
A 120 mm corrugated pipe for exhaust is a little more expensive. Such air ducts are sold at a price of 230 rubles. If the design has improved components (for example, reinforced rings), the price can be even higher. Also, the price depends on the manufacturer and the pricing policy of the store.
Pipecorrugated for hoods 150 mm in diameter costs from 350 rubles. and above.
It is also worth considering that fittings and adapters are not required for such ventilation ducts. You may need to purchase a clamp to fix the ends of the pipe in the seats. However, such structural elements are inexpensive. But for the installation of rigid systems made of stainless, galvanized steel and other similar materials, it is necessary to additionally purchase fittings and adapters. This further increases the final installation cost.
When buying, it is advisable to request from the seller the relevant technical documentation for the air ducts presented for sale. Products of low quality quickly become unusable. Therefore, it is better to give preference to products that have sufficient rigidity, and are also made in accordance with the requirements of standards.
What to consider before installation?
Wishing to mount aluminum corrugation, you need to read a few recommendations from experienced craftsmen. So it will be almost impossible to make a mistake. Before buying a corrugated pipe, you need to consider its location in the room. The fewer bends the ventilation will have, the better. Turns increase the load on the hood motor. According to the established rules, the number of bends should not exceed three.
You should also avoid 90º turns or less. Turns should be done smoothly, at an obtuse angle.
Professional installers of hoods and ventilation equipment note thatit is strictly forbidden to reduce the diameter of the pipe. The channel must be selected the same size as the outlet of the equipment. Otherwise, the efficiency of the technique will decrease.
When choosing the length of the duct, you should definitely make a margin. It is much easier to remove excess length than to build up the channel later. However, a too long pipe should not be installed in the system. It must be fully extended. Otherwise, it increases the number of ribs. In these places dirt accumulates more. The permeability of the interior space will decrease faster. Therefore, it is better to choose the pipe size after careful measurement.
It is also worth noting that the length of the duct should not exceed 3 m. If it is longer, the air will not be removed from the room efficiently. Its movement speed through the pipe will decrease.
Sometimes beginners make mistakes when calculating the length of the duct. Because of this, they have to decide how to connect two corrugated pipes for exhaust. This can be done with aluminum tape. However, at the junction, the permeability of the pipe will be worse. Therefore, such a technique is resorted to only as a last resort. The cost of the pipe is small. Better buy a new duct.
When choosing the necessary elements for connection, it is worth giving preference to the shield for the ventilation shaft, which has a hole for connecting the channel, as well as a grill for natural ventilation. If the hood is turned off, the air will still be gradually updated.
What do you need for installation?
Wishing to mount harddo-it-yourself corrugated pipes, you need to prepare the necessary materials and tools. You will need to purchase a ventilation duct with the appropriate dimensions.
In addition, clamps are required to connect the corrugated pipe to the hood and ventilation shaft. They will help to clearly fix the ends on the flanges. This prevents the system from depressurizing.
A vent valve will need to be purchased for the vent. It must be built into the design of the protective grille. This element will not let cold air from the street into the house. You will also need to purchase aluminum tape, silicone sealant.
If the hood hole for connecting the pipe is not round, but rectangular or square, you need to purchase the appropriate adapters. However, they should not reduce the bandwidth of the channel.
No special tools will be used during installation. Therefore, even a novice master can do the whole procedure, in whose arsenal there are not a large number of special tools.
Installation procedure
In order to install a corrugated aluminum hood pipe, you need to follow a certain sequence of steps.
First, the duct is stretched to its full length. If it turned out to be more than necessary, the excess is cut off with ordinary scissors. The outlet of the hood is treated with a sealant. A corrugated pipe is installed on it. It is put on all the way, to the very edge of the pipe. If the duct diameter is larger than the exhaust outlet, an adapter can be used. However, its narrow end is notmust be smaller than the nozzle cross section of the equipment.
Next, the sleeve must be fixed. This will require a clamp. They clasp the pipe and the outlet pipe of the hood. Then the clamp is tightened. After that, you can install the same clamps along the entire length of the ventilation duct in 1 m increments. These clamps will help attach the corrugation to the wall or ceiling.
When the channel is mounted along its entire length, its other end must be attached to the grate. Its pipe is also treated with sealant. The same procedure is performed as on the hood. The grate is installed on the intended opening of the ventilation shaft. It is fixed with sealant or with self-tapping screws.
Finishing installation
After carrying out the above work, you need to let the sealant harden. After that, you should connect the equipment to the electrical network. Then you can turn on the hood and check the system's performance.
You need to take a regular sheet of paper. The hood is turned on at full power. Next, you need to bring the sheet to its lattice. Through it, the equipment sucks in air. If the master performed all the steps correctly, the paper will adhere well to the surface of the grate. Otherwise, you will need to look for the cause of the system malfunction.
Many owners hide ventilation ducts. To do this, you can purchase a special decorative box. It will also perform the function of soundproofing. In some cases, the owners mount a similar drywall box. This is a rather complicated procedure. You will need to create a frame from profiles, which will needinstall drywall.
If the arrangement of furniture in the kitchen allows, the corrugation is hidden in the headset cabinet. If there is free space above the furniture, the channel is laid right here. In this case, the ventilation pipe will not be visible.
After considering the features of corrugated pipes for exhaust, you can choose the appropriate type of duct, as well as mount it yourself in accordance with existing norms and rules.
