How to use metal-plastic pipes for heating in apartments and

When installing utilities during the repair or construction of a house, instead of outdated and expensive metal pipes and connecting elements, you can use metal-plastic pipes for heating, the technical characteristics of which allow their use in pressure networks of an autonomous heating system of private houses.

The use of metal pipes in the heating system

The reliability and durability of the heating system mainly depends on several factors, including the selection of high-quality raw materials, proper installation work, compliance with recommended operating conditions, and timely implementation of planned preventive measures.

To help the reader independently equip a high-quality heating system, this article will provide detailed instructions describing the main technical characteristics, as well as recommendations for installing and connecting metal-plastic pipes in residential heating systems.

Main technical specifications

Modern metal-plastic pipes for water supply and heating are a three-layer composition, which consists of an inner layer made of low-pressure polyethylene, an intermediate reinforcing layer of thick aluminum foil, and an outer protective coating, which is also made of low-pressure polyethylene.

All three layers are tightly pressed, and securely interconnected with a special adhesive composition.

This combination of materials allows you to get a moderately flexible, but at the same time, a fairly strong pipe, which has the following technical characteristics:

1. The diameter of the internal cross-section can be in the range from 10 mm to 1200 mm; however, in living conditions, products with a diameter of 10 mm, 16 mm, 25 mm and 32 mm are most often used.
2. The maximum operating temperature, in the manufacture of the inner and outer layers of heat-resistant polyethylene, can reach +95 ° C.
3. The thickness of the aluminum foil of the reinforcing layer may be in the range from 0.3 mm to 0.55 mm.
4. The maximum working pressure, with the minimum thickness of the foil of the reinforcing layer, is not less than 10 kg / cm ?.
5. The estimated period of operation at a constant operating temperature of + 20 ° C is 50 years, and at operating temperatures up to +95 ° C - 25 years.

Note! The type of polymer material from which the metal-plastic pipe for heating is made can be recognized by the markings on its outer surface. Thus, PE-R designates ordinary polyethylene, PP-R - polypropylene, PE-X - cross-linked polyethylene, which has high strength, and PE-RT - heat-resistant polyethylene, which has good resistance to high temperatures.

Advantages and disadvantages

In order to answer the readers' question: whether it is possible to use metal-plastic products in heating systems, a comparative description of the positive and negative qualities of similar products will be given in relation to ordinary metal water pipes.

1. Relatively low price, their low weight, as well as ease of connection and ease of installation, make them the most popular material among apartment owners and private residential houses.
2. Polymeric materials are absolutely not subject to corrosion, and smooth internal walls do not contribute to the formation of lime scale; therefore, such products are highly durable, and do not require additional protection throughout the entire period of operation.

1. Intra-house heating of metal-plastic pipes has high aesthetic qualities, as well as good noise-absorbing ability, so such systems do not require the installation of additional decorative protective screens.
2. At observance of a temperature mode, and timely performance of tightening of threaded connections, technical characteristics of metal-plastic pipes allow their use in autonomous heating systems of residential buildings.

Along with the positive qualities described, such products also have some drawbacks.

1. Despite the low cost of plastic pipes, high-quality fittings and connecting fittings to them are quite expensive.
2. Under the influence of high temperature, polymeric materials shrink over time, therefore, to ensure the tightness of the system, periodic tightening of threaded pipe fittings is required.
3. Polymer materials are quite soft, therefore they can be easily damaged as a result of external mechanical impact.

Note! In centralized systems of urban heating networks it is not allowed to install heating from metal-plastic pipes, because during routine preventive tests, water is supplied to them under very high pressure, for which similar products may not be designed.

Features of installation of the heating system

In order to install the pipe for heating in your own home, no complicated equipment is required, so any home craftsman can easily perform such work.

1. To cut the right size metal-plastic pipe, a special hand cutter is used, which can be purchased at any hardware store.

1. In order not to deform the soft material, when cutting it is not recommended to be clamped in a vice, and before installing, the cut end should be processed with a file with a small notch.
2. In order to connect two pipes with each other by hand, or to install a side outlet, press connecting fittings are used. Before use, the end must be cleaned, inserted into the connecting sleeve of the fitting, and then press the connection with a special crimping tool.

1. More simple and inexpensive, and besides collapsible connection is performed using threaded press fittings. To do this, install a split bronze bushing on the trimmed end, put the pipe on the fitting flange, and then tighten the union nut, tightening it with an ordinary open end wrench or wrench.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it should be noted that the metal-plastic composition is a sufficiently elastic material that does not burst when an ice block forms, but it is still not recommended to allow the coolant to freeze in the heating pipes during the cold season.

To learn more about the use of such materials, you can watch the video at the end of this article, or explore similar materials on our website.