Everyone, sooner or later, faces the problem of interruptions in the operation of heating systems. The reason, most often, is that deposits, dirt, silt and scale accumulate in radiators and pipes and water cannot move freely through the system. This problem is absolutely solvable, and at home. There are various techniques. However, let's take a closer look at the most common ones.
If you notice that it's getting colder in your home, perhaps this is the first signal that you need to do a flush. heating system. This can be easily checked without the help of a specialist - just touch the batteries. If it is heated unevenly, or part of it is generally cold, wash it. There are several other indicators that it’s time to clean the pipes: uncharacteristic noise in the radiators; when the heating is started, the system takes a very long time to warm up.
Most often, the horizontal parts of the pipe are exposed to the main contamination. According to the standard arrangement of radiators in the house, this is usually small areas, and cleaning them will not be difficult.
If the battery heats unevenly, it means it is dirty.
The primary source of problems in heating systems is hot water, the main coolant.
- Firstly, hot water, interacting with the materials from which the system is made, can provoke chemical reaction. The consequences are scale.
- Secondly, the properties of water themselves. It can contain a great variety of different impurities, which can provoke not only banal corrosion, but also contribute to precipitation and plaque on the pipes.
It is the occurrence of deposits from all of the above that can affect the quality of operation of the system’s heat elements.
An interesting fact is that even the layer of deposits is only seven to nine millimeters, the efficiency of the heating system drops by more than 42%.
And, of course, all this affects the service life of the heating elements as a whole; they quickly become unusable.
Types of flushing heating systems
Chemical flushing of heating
This method is based on dissolving various substances deposited on pipes in chemical compounds. This is one of the most effective, used and proven ways to clean the heating system of excess.
The chemicals liquefy all components of deposits and scale, which are then naturally washed out of the heating system. As a rule, such substances contain an element that protects pipes from the appearance of signs of rust and extends the service life.
In order to clean pipes using this method, you must have special equipment.
Typically, specialists use pumps in such cases. It is needed so that after injecting a chemical solution into heating devices, the pump gives direction to its movement through the system. The time spent on cleaning depends on each material in the heating system, the strength of the contaminants and the selected substance. In addition, the process of enveloping pipes from the inside with an oxide film also has its own time frame.
This method has several significant advantages:
- Firstly, this is the cheapest and most proven method of cleaning the heating system;
- Secondly, the speed of manifestation of results is very high;
- Thirdly, flushing can be carried out without stopping the heating, which allows you to use it at different times of the year.
The disadvantages of the method are that, first and most importantly, it cannot be used for washing aluminum pipes (as this can destroy their integrity), secondly, like any chemical, the solution is toxic.
Sequence of actions when using this method of flushing the heating system
- First, try to consider the existing heating system in as much detail as possible in order to select the right chemical solution
- Pay attention to the instructions for the composition. The products may have different consistencies and the chemical must be diluted as written in the recommendations for it.
- Connect the pump to the system, first filling the designated reservoir with the composition.
- Make sure chemical agent circulates in the system. We repeat that the time depends on the strength and composition of the pollution
- Remove the chemical from the system, flush it with water pressure and fill it.
Dispersed heating flushing
Let's call this method the “second” generation of chemical. Its action is as follows: chemical composition does not react with metal and only affects the contaminant composition (silt, dirt, scale) and its interaction with the heating system. A pump is also needed.
The advantages of this method include:
- Firstly, this method is suitable for any heating system, no matter what material it is made of, and for any time of year.
- Secondly, the reagents are non-toxic.
- Thirdly, as in the case of the first method, all pollutants are removed already in the decay stage and cannot re-form a blockage. And, of course, in the future, our heating system will be protected during further operation.
Instructions:
- Define required quantity solution selected specifically for your heating system.
- Connect the pump to the system by filling the required container with reagent.
- After cleaning, flush the system and discard the composition.
- If you are cleaning in heating season, then you need to connect a device that will close the heating system.
This method is based on descaling by applying water under high pressure through certain nozzles. This is an environmentally friendly method, which, by the way, copes well with stains on cast iron. Due to the properties of this metal, the chemical method may not be very effective. However, it is relatively more expensive (since you need special equipment capable of producing a stream of water under pressure of several hundred atmospheres) and high-quality cleaning will not be possible without the help of third parties. The fact is that before you start cleaning, you need to treat the stains with a solution that can soften them.
Pneumopulse method of flushing the heating system
This method is based on generating small explosions air bubbles, which are able to tear off contaminants from the inside. For this purpose, the following are used: a pneumatic gun, a switch, equipment for supplying air with an accumulation system (for example, a compressor), transition (connecting) hoses.
How does the installation work?
First, the air gun is connected to heating pipes through the hose and switch, then comes the transmitter compressed air. Next, liquid is passed through this entire system, which sets the piston in motion and, in fact, starts the installation.
If you decide to use a compressor to supply air, then when water is introduced and the position of the piston changes under its pressure, the empty container begins to fill with air. After the cylinder is full, part of the air moves into the piston, which, directing it into the heating system, creates a shock wave.
It takes two to five hits to completely clear the system. The process itself will take a few minutes, and is completely independent of electricity - the installation operates autonomously.
Of the minuses this method You can call it a limited range of action, due to the characteristics of the pistol.
The easiest way to implement, and which does not require any investments other than labor costs.
This is normal mechanical cleaning, which is possible in any apartment or house.
Instructions:
- First of all, you need to disconnect the radiator from the system and drain all the liquid from it. Be sure to cover all surfaces with unnecessary rags so as not to spoil or damage the coating. If you have a special tap on your batteries, this will make the task much easier. In the event that there are cast iron batteries, to remove them you may need heating element(to make it easier to unwind the connection).
- Next, the radiator needs to be flushed. The easiest way to do this is in the bathroom, directing water from shower hose under maximum pressure into the pipes. You need to do this for as long as it takes to run rusty water. If there is too large and noticeable a layer of deposits inside the pipes, use metal device. As soon as dirt stops being washed out of the battery, the cleaning is complete.
- We wash the pipes in the same way, cleaning individual sections.
- Be sure to clean the threads from corrosion before assembling the system.
Buying tips
- Please note that aluminum bimetallic radiators, convectors have a relatively small volume in which the coolant circulation rate does not allow sediment to be released.
- Choose closed systems. Since in such systems the volume of water does not change, the amount of new pollution that appears remains the same.
- Connect batteries from below. As already mentioned, deposits accumulate on horizontal surfaces, which means that the bulk will flow away with the flow of coolant.
- Install the dirt filter. This is a relatively cheap device that will make cleaning easier for you. It is much easier to remove scale from one part than to clean the entire riser.
Video - how to clean a heating radiator with your own hands
During long-term operation of the heating system, it is necessary to carry out preventive actions aimed at improving the operation of the system. Flushing the heating system is performed by professionals, but it is quite possible to do it yourself if you follow the recommendations outlined in this article.
General concept and methods of flushing a heating system
Due to a decrease in the efficiency of the heating system, the pipeline should be flushed, because the areas where the coolant moves slowly become silted.
The large amount of water required for the heating system carries fine particles sand, dust and other debris. This all settles on the pipes, and therefore it is worth cleaning the heating system. If steel pipes If they do not have an anti-corrosion coating, mineral deposits will appear on them over time.
Small particles clog pipes and slow down the heating system.
IN apartment buildings Heating flushing is done once a year, and in private homes the owner decides on his own when to flush the heating system.
Reasons why you should flush your heating system:
- low heating level;
- partial heating of radiators;
- Radiators closest to the boiler heat better than those further away.
Consequences of neglecting to flush the heating system:
- breakage and damage heating devices systems;
- freezing of the system in winter;
- large financial losses;
- failure of the entire system;
- emergency situations;
- overpaying for electricity due to poor quality heating of the premises.
Basic methods for flushing a heating system:
1. Chemical method- used to restore the functionality of the heating system, which long time was subjected to exploitation multi-storey building. Cleaning with a chemical method consists of pouring an alkaline or acidic solution into the system, working the system with the solution for many hours and rinsing, and then filling it with ordinary water. Chemical solutions do an excellent job of removing rust on metal and cast iron radiators.
Tip: The chemical flushing method is not used if the heating system includes aluminum radiators.
2. Biological or dispersed - a special liquid is poured into the heating system to flush the heating system, saturated with living biobacteria. This washing method is the most effective.
3. Hydropneumatic flushing of the heating system - consists of cleaning the heating system using hydraulic pump, which creates high pressure, as a result of which the scale is partially destroyed and comes out. This method consists of two stages: flushing and pressure testing of the heating system.
4. Cleaning radiators involves the use of valve taps that shut off the water and allow cleaning individual elements heating systems.
5. To flush the heating system, large enterprises use electric pulse flushing. The essence of this method is to supply electric current to the system, as a result of this action, scale is separated from the pipeline.
Flushing the heating system using chemicals
One of the reliable and cheap ways to flush the heating system is chemical.
Advantages of flushing the heating system with chemical solutions:
- simplicity;
- low cost;
- quick results;
- does not require stopping the heating system;
- carried out both in winter and summer;
- high quality.
Disadvantages of the chemical method:
- toxicity;
- not used in aluminum heating systems;
- problems with disposal of solutions after washing.
Instructions for flushing the heating system with a chemical solution:
1. Before performing flushing work, you should study the heating system and select the most suitable chemical.
2. Dilute the chemical solution according to the instructions. Solutions come in liquid and powder form.
3. Connect the flushing device to the system, having first filled the container with solution.
4. Ensure circulation of the solution in the system. The timing is determined by examining contamination and the general condition of the heating system.
5. Drain the solution, rinse the system several times and fill with water.
Biological or dispersed flushing of the heating system
The dispersed method of flushing the heating system is a more advanced analogue chemical method. When using a dispersed solution, the reagents do not destroy the structure of the metal, but only weaken the molecular relationships between metal product and scale or dirt.
The main advantages of dispersed flushing of the heating system:
- used in any heating systems, including aluminum ones;
- the solutions are environmentally friendly and do not harm people or the environment;
- all dirt and plaque is removed in a split form and does not clog the pipes;
- after washing, a hydrophobic film is created, which prevents the appearance of plaque during further use.
To flush the system using a dispersed method, follow these steps:
1. Calculate the amount of reagent according to the individual characteristics of the heating system.
2. Connect your device with circulation pump. And turn on the device to circulate the solution.
3. After the reagent has penetrated, flush the system and pour the solution down the drain.
4. In order to flush the heating system in winter, install a heat exchange device that will ensure the heating system is closed.
Calculation of flushing the heating system using the hydropneumatic method
Before flushing the system, a number of preparatory works should be carried out:
- heating system inspection;
- dividing the system into parts that will be washed together or separately;
- if necessary, install shut-off valves for separate flushing or shutting off certain areas;
- calculate the air and water consumption for flushing the system.
To flush the heating system, use an amount of water that exceeds the capacity of the heating system from three to five times. IN open systems heating systems are disinfected. During washing, you should achieve light color water. To find out how full the system is with water, use a water meter.
Heating system flushing equipment
Flushing a heating system without disassembling components requires special equipment, which is abbreviated as CIF - cleaning in place.
The installation consists of a plastic tank with a pump. The flushing solution is poured into the tank, and the pump fills the system.
- the device must have automatic system control the supply of pulses for flushing;
- the device body must withstand various disinfectants;
- Make sure that the device is compact and easy to move;
- check the presence of an indicator responsible for the pressure level and water flow.
Let's look at several devices for flushing the heating system:
1. AquaMax Evolution 10 (Italy) - compact and portable
Peculiarities:
- plastic tank 10 l;
- weight: 7000 g;
- presence of flow reverse;
- cleaning the boiler and heat exchanger;
- price: 400 $.
2. Alfa Laval 20 (Sweden) - used for professional cleaning heating systems.
Peculiarities:
- high level of acid resistance;
- use of anti-corrosion plastic in the manufacture of the tank;
- weight: 8000 g;
- tank volume: 20 l;
- price: $1100.
Do-it-yourself heating system flushing technology
There are two ways to flush a heating system using the hydropneumatic method:
1. Open the valve responsible for allowing air into the system and fill the system with water. Close the valve. Start supplying compressed air with the bleed valve open. When the mixture has passed through all the appliances, drain the water. The system is flushed until clean water.
2. Open the valve and fill the system with water or solution. Start compressed air supply. After fifteen minutes, stop feeding. Open the valve and drain the water. After this, rinse the system several times with running water.
Pressure testing of the heating system
After flushing the heating system of the house, at least important process- checking the tightness and integrity of the system or pressure testing. Pressure testing is used as an independent process without flushing or in combination after flushing the system.
Sequence of actions for performing pressure testing of the heating system:
1. Slowly fill the system with water. Never exceed the pressure.
2. Leave the filled system for an hour or two. Use a pressure gauge to check the system.
3. If the pressure drops in some places, inspect the system components and look for leaks.
4. Drain all or part of the water and fix the problem. Repeat the procedure several times.
Rules for flushing a collapsible heating system
There are two types of dismountable washing:
1. Flushing a collapsible heating system includes the following steps:
- disassembling the heat exchanger;
- removing all plates;
- soaking the plates in a special solution;
- manual washing of plates;
- crimping and assembly of the heat exchanger.
2. The second type of washing includes:
- disassembling the heat exchanger;
- direction of the water stream into the radiator;
- removing dirt using high pressure;
- system assembly.
Advantages of dismountable flushing:
- complete confidence that the system is clean;
- the ability to eliminate any contamination;
- control of the work process.
The disadvantage of dismountable flushing is the need to replace rubber seals and other components that have failed.
Life in a private house surrounded by nature is impossible without a high-quality and reliable heating system. But the system autonomous heating in a private home - this is difficult engineering structure which requires regular technological maintenance. If such equipment is not given proper attention, it begins to become clogged. This is primarily due to the fact that process fluids used in heating system pipelines contain many additives. With a constant flow of water, they are deposited on the walls of pipes and internal surfaces various devices heating system. All this slows down the normal movement of the coolant, and broken areas of scale and sediment layers can clog the system or cause breakdowns of the circulating pumps. To prevent emergency situations, routine maintenance is carried out on the heating system, one of which is hydropneumatic flushing.
In addition to the occurrence of emergency situations, the accumulation of scale in a pipeline heating system also sharply reduces its efficiency. So, just a millimeter of scale on inner surface heating radiator reduces its heat transfer by 15 percent. Accordingly, to achieve in the house normal temperature, you will have to increase the power of the boiler, and therefore increase fuel costs. In order not to carry extra costs you need to clean the system.
The accumulated scale on the internal surfaces of the system has a much lower thermal conductivity than conventional metal used to make pipes. Scale is essentially a heat insulator - its thermal conductivity is 40 times less than that of metal. Even a thin layer of scale reduces the efficiency of the heating system to minimum values. Moreover, scale actively interacts with the metal of the pipes, which leads to increased corrosion and even the formation of fistulas.
In order to improve the quality of operation of the heating system, it is not necessary to wait for emergency situations. Such work must be carried out regularly, usually at least once a year.
Heating system diagnostics
To identify the need for hydropneumatic flushing of the heating system, it is necessary to carry out an initial diagnosis. It can be carried out in living conditions without resorting to the services of expensive specialists. It is based on the diagnostic results that it is necessary to decide on flushing. In addition, after performing routine maintenance, the heating system should be gently anti-corrosion treatment– this will reliably protect the walls of the pipelines for the next operational period.
So, the main signs that your heating system needs hydropneumatic flushing are the following:
- Your heating boiler is making unusual sounds that you have not heard before,
- The time it takes to warm up the system to operating condition increases significantly.
- One of the main signs is uneven heating of heating system elements. So, if the piping system is hot to the touch, and the radiators are much colder, it is necessary to urgently flush it.
- An indirect sign of a clogged heating system is an increase in energy consumption when the same temperature is reached and in similar weather outside.
How is hydropneumatic flushing carried out and what equipment is needed?
The main essence of hydropeneumatic flushing of a heating system is cleaning the pipeline system and heating radiators using compressed air. In this case, the coolant remains in the system, that is, water. The beginning of this process sharply increases the speed of fluid movement in the system, and compressed air gives the water increased turbulence, that is, uneven movement and the formation of turbulence. Under the influence of a mixture of air and water, scale and deposits formed on the internal surface of the system are loosened, carried away by the water-air flow and removed from the pipes and radiators to the discharge point.
The discharge point for loosened deposits in this type of flushing is the drain pipe or a specialized tap. If these elements are missing in the heating system, they must be inserted before starting cleaning.
In the event that the heating system with liquid coolant there is an elevator - before starting washing it is dismantled to avoid damage.
Air into the heating system to create powerful water air flow with swirls, it is supplied from the compressor. This device should show a pressure of 0.6 MPa at the outlet. In order to prevent water from entering the compressor receiver - at the point of connection with pipeline system a check valve is installed.
A good compressor with a powerful and uniform air supply supplies the pipelines with a water-air mixture, which loosens and knocks down scale deposits inside the pipes. The compressor must operate in a uniform pulse mode, creating not just a constant flow of air, but a series of air-water shocks. This is how the turbulence that loosens the scale is formed.
A smart solution is to use a compressor that can add disinfectants and cleaning agents to the air flow. In addition, such a device must be protected from spontaneous shutdown, be quite compact and, preferably, have an alarm about the level of the flushing fluid consumed and the displayed pressure parameters.
Hydropneumatic flushing methods
Even if you have necessary equipment, you still need to consider individual characteristics heating systems. The chosen method depends on many factors, including the following:
- whether it is an apartment building or a private sector;
- how many floors does the house have?
- what liquid was used as a coolant;
- how long ago the maintenance or cleaning was carried out;
- what material are the pipes made of?
- What year was the system installed?
Depending on all these factors, a specialist must conclude that it is necessary to choose one or another washing method.
Flow washing method
This method of cleaning heating system pipelines from slag consists of the following steps:
The heating system must be completely filled with water, leaving the air intake valve open.
After filling the system, the valve must be tightly closed.
A stream of compressed air is supplied to the system, at the same time the drain pipe opens
Until clean water appears from the drain pipe, a water-air mixture continues to be supplied to the system. Please note that the volume of the flushing mixture can be quite large, so take care in advance of the location for draining the used liquid.
Flushing and filling the heating system
In this case, it is necessary to carry out the following sequential operations:
- Fill the heating system with water with the valves closed.
- Compressed air is supplied through the inlet pipe with the outlet pipe closed for 5-1 minutes.
- After the air flow stops, the outlet pipe opens and the water-air mixture with scale removed is drained from the system.
Please note that the volume of supplied water-air mixture is calculated individually for each heating system depending on its volume. Otherwise, if you do not calculate correctly, you may end up with broken pipes rather than clean ones.
How is pressure testing carried out?
After hydropneumatic flushing, and indeed before each heating season in autonomous system heating system, it is necessary to check the tightness and carry out routine work to improve the tightness of pipeline connections. Day after day, the connections of your heating system wear out and in order not to have an accident with a breakthrough in the cold season, that is, the tightness of the pipes must be prepared in advance. This operation is called crimping.
heating radiator crimping
Note that, as a last resort, crimping can be done during heating seasons, usually such an operation is performed after pipeline accidents. In addition, pressure testing and monitoring of the condition of pipeline connections is carried out during the first start-up of the system after its installation.
The process of crimping heating system pipeline connections consists of the following stages:
Slowly fill the system cold water. Please note that the pressure in the system must be increased gradually, not abruptly. The fluid pressure level in the system is controlled using a pressure gauge. When the operating pressure of the system is reached, it remains under pressure for about half an hour. During this time, you can visually inspect the condition of the pipelines and their connections, make sure that there are not only leaks, but even the slightest leakage of water. The most in a simple way control of seeping moisture will be placed under the joints of the pieces toilet paper or napkins on which drops of water or silt will be clearly visible
In addition, the condition of the system is monitored by pressure gauge readings. This is done because pipelines can leak in places inaccessible to visual inspection. If there is no decrease in pressure on the pressure gauge and there are visual signs of damage to the pipes and system, you can begin to operate it. For additional confidence, the pressure in the system can be increased by 10-15 percent above the calculated one.
Training video: Hydropneumatic flushing of the heating system of a residential apartment building