Repair of heating pipes: 3 main emergencies
Sooner or later any pipeline needs repair. To the heating system, this rule is even more appropriate due to the high temperature of its operation. At the same time, repair of heating pipes is often carried out in the event of emergency situations in which it will be necessary to act immediately, without waiting for the plumber.
So let's analyze the main types of breakdowns and methods for their elimination.
The reasons
The moment of the accident, despite its inevitability, can be delayed as much as possible, for which you should follow the rules of operation and try to exclude the following events:
| Cause | Preventive measures |
| Wear | Nothing in our world is forever, but there are materials with a longer period of use. For example, plastic, which is not subject to corrosion, will last much longer than a rusting metal. This is one of the reasons why polypropylene pipes displace steel from this area. |
| Changes in the system | Hydraulic shocks, sharp temperature jumps, increase in pressure - all this adversely affects the integrity of the pipeline. If we are talking about a private house, then check and carry out maintenance of all equipment in a timely manner in order to avoid the listed phenomena. |
| Low quality products | It is not necessary in this case to chase for cheapness, purchase pipes only from well-known proven manufacturers. In the opposite case, the price of subsequent repairs may significantly exceed the cost of more expensive, but also reliable products. |
| Violation of the tightness of the connecting elements | Incorrect installation of fittings may result in leakage. So if you have a little doubt in your abilities, then it would be more rational to invite professional plumbers to install the heating system. |
| Frostbite | This applies to elements of the pipeline located outside the building during periods of disconnection of heating. In this case, you should carefully take care of the weatherization of these areas. It will also reduce heat loss by the coolant during the passage of a section that does not need heating. |
| The presence of garbage | Again, this is more characteristic of iron products, which accumulate rust fragments inside, which negatively affects the operational process and can lead to undesirable consequences. Periodic flushing will help solve this problem. |
Tip: in the case of laying a hidden pipeline, make sure that in the areas of problem access lay only one piece solid pipe sections. Most of the damage occurs in the joints, so it is better to bring them to open areas to facilitate repair work.
Situation 1: leak
Few know what to do if a heating pipe has started flowing. This is the most common problem requiring an immediate solution. The method of struggle depends primarily on the material of the product, so consider the possible options in order:
Steel
The choice of actions performed by yourself to eliminate a fistula in the body of an iron pipe depends on the degree of its size and looks like this:
- The appearance of drops on the surface of the structure means that the corrosion has already done its job and it is already worth considering the replacement of the section. And before you cover up the drip from the heating pipe with a layer of paint, it will be enough to rub the problem area with salt to temporarily eliminate the leakage of the liquid.
- How to wind the heating pipe, if the matter is not limited to the dripping of the drops? Saturate the gauze with salt and wrap the damaged area in several layers. But keep in mind that after cooling the pipeline, this method will stop working.
- Minor damage can also be repaired with cold welding.
Instructions for its use:
- Clean and degrease the treated place.
- We stretch the contents of the package in your hand until it becomes soft and warm.
- Close up the crack like clay.
- How can you insulate heating pipes from steel in case of a sufficiently strong leak? Here you will need to install a special clamp, reliably blocking the flow of hot water.
If you don’t have such a device at home, and you don’t have time to go to the store after him either, then you can improvise:
- We wrap the leaking area with a piece of soft rubber, which will suit, for example, an old bicycle chamber.
- We tie both of its edges with wire.
- You do not know what to do if the heating pipe has burst? Only the replacement of the damaged section will help.
Tip: you can use a plastic pipe for replacement. It is cheaper and does not corrode.
If a leakage occurs at the junction, disassemble it and replace the seal or the entire fitting.
Copper
Leakage in copper products is eliminated by analogy with steel models. Only when replacing individual sections, a semi-automatic welding machine and more expensive materials are used, and the process itself requires more care and accuracy.
Tip: for repairing copper pipes, it is recommended to call specialists after all, because of inexperience it is easy to spoil such a valuable construction.
Polypropylene
It is more difficult to detect a seal failure in the polypropylene pipe, as the emergency place is not covered with rust, and the appearing drops evaporate.
But if you did notice it, you should do this:
- Shut off the water supply.
- Drain the liquid from the problem area.
- Dismantle the section between the fittings or the damaged connecting element itself.
- We install a new piece with a special pipe soldering iron.
- Re-fill the water.
Situation 2nd: frostbite
Freezing of heating pipes can occur if the system is not used during the winter period, this is especially true for areas located outdoors. The problem can be solved in several ways:
| Defrost method | Description |
| Boiling water | Pour hot water over the glaciation area. |
| Construction dryer | Streams of warm air will also help to restore the liquid state of aggregation to water. |
| Electricity | Connect the welding machine at the end and at the beginning of the problem area, the current started from it will melt the ice; only suitable for metal products |
More radical approaches will require dismantling the system.
Situation 3rd: noise
In apartment buildings, knocking on heating pipes is a fairly common phenomenon. And not always it is born due to the desire of neighbors to play Morse code.
The noise in the heating pipes causes:
- The appearance of debris in the riser or radiator. Pieces of various slag, rust move inside the pipeline, periodically hitting its walls. It is eliminated by ordinary washing.
- Dropped valve valve. In this case, it is better to dismantle the system and remove the foreign object, since it may eventually block the channel.
- Temperature expansion. The described effect is formed as a result of temperature drops in different parts of the riser and radiator. It does not carry a special danger, it can be eliminated either by reworking the entire pipeline or by installing high-quality thermal insulation over the pipes.
Conclusion
The heating system tends to break. To this should be ready to instantly cope with the accident. Above, we looked at the most common types of damage as well as how to repair heating pipes depending on the materials used.
The video in this article will introduce you to additional materials. Be prepared for any surprises!