The gradual corrosion of metal on the inner surface of pipes and radiators in the heating circuit, the crystallization of salts in the coolant, lead to clogging of the heating system and a decrease in its overall efficiency.
To prevent this, regular flushing of the heating system with the removal of foreign particles from the heating circuit will help.
Signs of poor heating
For the normal functionality of the heating system, nothing should interfere with the movement of the coolant along the channels built for it.
There are several symptoms that a large amount of debris has accumulated inside the heating circuit, and scale has settled on the pipe walls. There are no obvious visual signs of clogging of the heating system.
It can be diagnosed with careful monitoring of the entire system and the appearance of a number of indirect signs:
- warming up the system takes longer than before (for autonomous heating systems);
- the operation of the boiler is accompanied by sounds uncharacteristic for it;
- increased consumption of gas or electricity;
the temperature in different parts of the radiators varies significantly; - radiators are noticeably cooler than the supply pipes.
However, weak or uneven heating of the batteries is not always a sign of clogging. Perhaps their airing happened. In such a situation, it is enough to drop the air plug through the Mayevsky crane.
Without regular flushing of the heating systems, the pipes overgrow, there is a decrease in their bore, resulting in an increase in hydraulic resistance
In houses with a central heating system, its flushing should be carried out by employees of the heat supply company. In a private house, this procedure is carried out by the owners or invited specialists.
It is difficult to recommend the frequency of flushing the system. Too many factors affect this.
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The system requires continuous flushing during long-term operation.
Slowing down the process of setting room temperature
Boiler flush signal
Uneven heating of heating devices
So, for example, in central heating systems, the coolant must undergo a water treatment cycle, which reduces the degree of pollution. True, this rule is far from always fulfilled. And the system itself is often operated for the third or fourth decade, and the amount of garbage circulating inside increases every year.
But both for centralized networks and for stand-alone systems, it is recommended to flush annually. Which, by the way, is confirmed by the requirements of building codes. It is this period that is considered critical for the accumulation of the amount of garbage inside the circuit, which significantly reduces the efficiency of work.
If the system is not flushed before the start of the heating season, the pipeline becomes clogged, appliances and heating equipment fail prematurely
Heating system flushing options
Depending on the degree of clogging of the heating system, the volume and length of the circuits, several flushing options for heating systems can be implemented:
- mechanical;
- hydrochemical;
- hydrodynamic;
- hydropneumatic;
- electrohydropulse.
The first two methods do not require sophisticated equipment and can be carried out on their own without problems. The remaining methods involve an appropriate level of technical equipment performers. Therefore, for their implementation, you will either have to rent equipment, or invite specialists performing such work.
In batteries, the accumulation of precipitated solid particles occurs, the removal of which can be dealt with by mechanical cleaning and further washing with clean water from the tap
But in any case, there are certain rules for flushing autonomous or central heating systems, non-compliance with which will make the procedure ineffective. Next, we will talk in detail about each of the cleaning options so that the effect of the procedure is maximum.
Method # 1 - mechanical flushing
It is immediately worth noting that such flushing is oriented, first of all, to cleaning radiators from accumulated dirt and, to a lesser extent, from scale on the inner surface of the circuit. Shut-off valves, expansion tank and circulation pump, if mounted in the system, will have to be cleaned separately.
Before starting the flushing process, care should be taken to ensure that the coolant used in the system, during the cleaning process, goes out in a minimal amount. The procedure must begin with the overlap of the valves that limit the flow of coolant into the circuit.
If the procedure is carried out in a high-rise building, then the gate valves are usually located in the basement of the house. In a private house, the valves are closed before and after the boiler.
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Connecting hoses to the heating system
Hose outlet
Complete draining of coolant
Cleaning available fittings
The next step is to drain the coolant from the circuit. This can be done either through the drain valve, which was originally installed during the installation of the system. If there is no such faucet, then the drain is carried out by unscrewing the plugs on the radiator located below or further than all the others.
It is most convenient to discharge the coolant through a hose connected to a drain tap and discharged into a toilet or other plumbing fixture connected to the sewer. Mechanical cleaning will be more effective if you first disassemble the batteries and separately clean the heating appliances and pipes.
When dismantling the system to perform mechanical washing and cleaning, it is more convenient to use a universal tool - a pipe wrench
The procedure for dismantling radiators from different materials does not differ in essence. But in any case, you should prepare a container for draining the remaining coolant. To carry out the procedure itself, you will need keys of the appropriate size. To unify the process, it will be useful to have a pipe wrench in the arsenal - the “ass”.
Depending on the circuit in which the radiators are connected, the dismantling procedure is also different. In any case, the radiator has an input and output for the coolant. In the process of dismantling, we release union nuts that join radiators with pipes. At the first one or two turns of the nut, you need to be prepared for the fact that the rest of the water starts to ooze from the connection. We collect it with a rag.
After the tightness of the untwisted joint "radiator pipe»Increases, the collection of the flowing coolant is carried out in a container - a basin, a trough or something similar. At the same time, we carefully monitor that the coolant does not leak to the lower floor.
Flushing the heating appliances can be done without dismantling the system. Cleaning is carried out with a hydraulic or pneumatic ram, exposure to chemical solvents or electrical pulses
After dismantling the radiator, we take it out either to the courtyard or to the bathroom. At the same time, we cover the plumbing from damage to the enamel coating with a dense fabric, which then is not a pity to throw away. The drain of the sink or bath must be covered with a net to prevent clogging of the siphon and sewage system.
Mechanical cleaning of the radiator can be done with a cable similar to the one used to clean the sewer. We carry out the same procedure with pipelines. However, for a network with a large number of turns, mechanical flushing will be difficult.
After the cleaning of the batteries and pipelines is completed, we proceed to rinse them with water. We wash the radiators in the same place in the bathtub or in the yard, directing inward a stream of water from the hose.
For washing pipes it is more convenient to use hoses with adapters. They allow hermetically docked hoses for supplying water to the heating circuit and for draining it into the sewer. Flushing the heating system with water is performed until it becomes clean at the outlet.
Draining fluid from a heavy cast-iron radiator is best done together
After flushing the radiators and pipes, you can repeat the mechanical cleaning procedure. To make the procedure more efficient, it is better to introduce the cable in the direction opposite to the direction of the coolant movement.
This is done so that the "scales" settled in the direction of movement are torn off as a result of mechanical contact. If there is less dirt in the flowing water than in the first round of cleaning, then the procedure is effective.
Method # 2 - hydrodynamic cleaning
When choosing this method of cleaning systems, the procedure will require the availability of special equipment. Water in this case is supplied not from the tap using a regular hose, but from a pump under high pressure.
Sometimes during hydrodynamic flushing, the pump is connected to the gap in the heating circuit as far as possible from the point of discharge of dirty water. But more often for these purposes a special hose with a trailer is used.
The design of the end nozzle has holes of small diameter. Through them, water under high pressure goes out.
It is the accented effect of water jets supplied under pressure that makes it possible to effectively combat mud and salt deposits. The supply hose can be specially stopped in potentially problematic places for more effective washing.
Hydrodynamic flushing of the heating circuit will require equipment capable of generating the necessary water pressure. The disadvantage of this method is that it helps to release the system only from water-soluble substances
Choosing a hose for hydrodynamic flushing, it must be borne in mind that with sufficient rigidity it is possible to apply pressure further from the inlet. True, it is problematic to move such a hose on the bends of the heating system pipes.
Therefore, when conducting a hydrodynamic flushing using a hose, the heating circuit will have to be sequentially opened in several places to supply water to all points.
Method # 3 - chemical flushing system
Flushing can also be performed without mechanical intervention. For these purposes, there are either ready-made chemical compounds or solutions that are easy to prepare at home. The dismantling of heating radiators is not required.
The figure shows the sections of the pipeline before (left) and after (right) the use of a chemical solution for cleaning the heating system. The hydrochemical method of cleaning consists in the action of aqueous solutions of various solvents on the inner surface of the pipeline, devices, fittings
The disadvantage of chemical washing is the prohibition of the use of aluminum radiators for washing and in a large number of caustic solutions that require disposal in specially designated places.
If the heating circuit is not very clogged, then for its preventive washing it is quite possible to use:
- caustic soda;
- vinegar;
- available acids (phosphoric, phosphoric and others);
- whey and others.
But it is better to use specially designed formulations for these purposes. On their packaging will be indicated not only the recommended use case (pipe material, nature of contamination, etc.), but also detailed instructions for use.
Orientation to the instruction will allow not only the most efficient use of the composition, but also with the lowest cost to clean the heating system.
Before starting a chemical wash, carefully read the instructions on the packaging of the reagent. Follow all instructions of the cleaning agent manufacturer exactly.
It is recommended to withstand the time intervals of the action of reagents as accurately as possible. At the same time, in autonomous systems, do not forget to turn on the circulation pump to ensure even distribution of the "activated" coolant.
For carrying out this type of flushing, it is useful to have a pump with a capacity at its disposal - a booster. In order to connect it to the system, it is necessary to organize a gap in the circuit. You can, for example, do this by disconnecting the direct path from the boiler to the heating circuit. Also, a tap must be provided in the circuit to discharge the reagent used.
Using the booster, you can flush not only the entire heating system, but also its individual components
In order to ensure uniform scale destruction on pipes and radiators, after reagent injection, we leave it in the system for a period of several hours to several days. The main disadvantage of this cleaning method is the possible negative effect of the active substance on the pipe surface. Therefore, after processing the system, we rinse it with clean water.
A more gentle, but similar in action, method of cleaning the heating system pipes from overgrowing is dispersed cleaning.
In this case, a reagent is introduced into the system, acting solely on settled particles. In this case, the metal remains without a negative impact. And the procedure itself is similar to chemical cleaning.
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Aggressive Transfer Pump
Reagent flushing system
Flushing tank
Preparing flushing fluid for the system
Mixing reagent in a tank
Acidity test before starting
Operating pressure during flushing
Drain the dissolved sediment from the heating system
Method # 4 - hydropneumatic cleaning
One of the most effective and equipment-friendly options for cleaning heating systems from accumulated dirt is considered to be flushing the heating system with the hydropneumatic method. Its essence lies in the supply of high-pressure air into the heating circuit.
Air is supplied to the circuit by a compressor. In this case, turbulent flows with high kinetic energy are created inside the pipelines. Due to this, there is a breakdown of growths from the inner surface and leaching of accumulated dirt from radiators.
Turbulent flows along the heating circuit are not continuous, but from time to time in the form of short pulses. These pulses are generated using a pneumatic gun. The compressor is connected to the circuit through a check valve. This will prevent water from entering the compressor.
Pressure air can be supplied through the inlet (outlet) of one of the radiators or connect a hose instead of a plug
For washing, we block the flow of coolant into the circuit. Then we connect the compressor with an air gun. If flushing is performed without dismantling the radiators, then at the farthest radiator we unscrew the plug and connect the hose through the adapter to dump the garbage and put it in the toilet.
The first air supply to the system should be done in the direction opposite to the direction of circulation of the coolant. The second procedure can be performed by changing direction (swapping the hoses for supplying pressure and dumping debris).
Hydropneumatic flushing can be carried out with the dismantling of radiators. It will be more troublesome, but also more effective. Then the batteries are best taken outside and rinsed there.
After completing the washing procedure, we put the radiators in place, connect the circuit to the boiler and put it into the coolant pipeline. Those debris that is in the system will be washed with water.
Then briefly block the flow of coolant, undock the drain hose and return the plug to its place. Now you can start the system.
Coaxial cable as a full-fledged generator of electrical pulses can be fed into a heat exchanger of any type and into a system of almost any diameter and configuration
Method # 5 - electrohydropulse technique
The basis of the operation of this washing method is the use of electric pulse energy, which is aimed at the destruction of salts deposited on the walls of pipelines. It is effective precisely for such control of such clogging of heating systems. The pipes themselves are not exposed to this effect.
Which option to flush the system to choose and how to perform the procedure - with the involvement of specialists or on their own - it all depends on the features of the premises and the capabilities of its owner, as well as the chosen option and the availability, if necessary, of special equipment
A special apparatus is used to generate an electrical impulse. A coaxial cable is connected to it, at the opposite end of which a discharge is formed, the shock wave from which destroys the scale on the inner surface.
After that, the system is washed with clean water to remove foreign particles separated from the surfaces.
Cleaning the system using the electric pulse cleaning method requires special equipment. But its effectiveness is quite large and there is no need to disassemble the system for flushing. At the same time, unlike chemical cleaning, all slag can be dumped without hesitation into the sewer.
Video # 1. The effectiveness of hydropneumatic flushing of radiators can be estimated by the amount of dirt thrown out:
Video # 2. The subtleties of performing a chemical type of washing the heating system are described in the following plot provided by the owner of a private home ownership:
Any of the flushing options for heating systems considered is not too complicated. If you have some experience in plumbing and, in some cases, special equipment that you can rent, you can do this yourself.
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