Over time, any heating system deteriorates and heats the room much worse. This is especially critical for old houses. In most of them, the pipes and radiators are cast iron; in many places they have become corroded and are beginning to leak. Or they have become clogged with salt deposits during operation and are unable to provide the necessary heat transfer and transfer of coolant in the required volume. It is in such conditions that replacement of heating risers, pipes and radiators is required.
Replacement of heating risers, pipes and radiators
Background information
When you need to replace the heating system in your apartment, you need to collect all the information that can influence your choice. The operating pressure in the central heating system does not exceed 5 kgf/cm². According to the provisions of SNiP, the standard temperature of the coolant cannot be above 95 degrees, even under severe frost conditions. In reality, these standards are rarely met by public utilities. In practice, when there are many complaints from consumers about the cold in apartments and during the period of dismantling the nozzle located in the elevator unit of the heating system, coolant is supplied to the heating system directly from the main heating main, in which in extreme cold the temperature reaches even 140 degrees Celsius . You should also take into account the possibility of water hammer - from quickly opening the valve on the house when starting heating, the pressure at the front of the water flow can reach 25 atmospheres.
A similar effect also occurs from an incorrectly installed screw valve. When the coolant moves from the valve in the direction of the seat, the valve, which is not completely open or is torn off from the stem, will periodically block the water flow, as a result of which a series of water hammers will occur in the riser. For heating convectors mounted by welding, the center-to-center distance at the connection differs from the standard parameters for radiators (500 millimeters). Therefore, the eyeliner requires partial replacement. If the heating in an apartment is being altered, it is advisable to make do with a set of tools available to each owner.
Replacing radiators
Before replacing the heating system in the apartment, radiators are purchased; bimetallic batteries are considered the best among them today. Why? The fact is that the basis of devices intended for heating homes are collectors and vertically located channels made of steel grades resistant to corrosion processes, in contact with the coolant. Experts warn: you should not give preference to cheaper bimetallic radiators - they only have steel cores on the vertical channels. Such products are similar in strength to aluminum batteries. As for bimetallic radiators, their outer shell made of cast aluminum has developed fins. The combination of metals allows the production of heating devices with a high degree of heat transfer and excellent strength. As an example of the use of the latest technologies in heating systems, we can note the bimetallic radiators Monolit from the Rifar company; their appearance can be seen in the photo. For this series, the operating pressure is 100 atmospheres, the products can withstand a test load of 150 atmospheres. The fracture pressure value is 210.
Procedure time
It will take approximately 2.5 hours to change the batteries.
If you have the necessary equipment and experience in handling it, you can replace heating devices quickly and efficiently.
Calculation for one product:
- drafting - 10 min;
- cutting off supply and return - 5 minutes;
- removal and removal of the old radiator - 5 minutes;
- installation of a heat shield - 15 min;
- installation of brackets - 10-15 minutes;
- assembly of the circuit with a ball valve - 40-60 minutes;
- fastening the Mayevsky crane - 5 min;
- connection of wiring - 10 min;
- assembly quality check - 10 min.
It will take no more than 2.5 hours to replace the battery in one room. For repairs in a standard two-room apartment, 8 hours are enough, including a lunch break.
Pipe replacement
New connections to heating radiators must be made of a material that is durable and not subject to corrosive processes. It could be a galvanized pipe, but precise fitting will be required, and installation is labor-intensive. Corrugated stainless steel pipe is an excellent solution to the problem, thanks to which replacing the heating system in an apartment is not so difficult. At the same time, it is not inferior in strength to galvanized products and bends at any angle. Fittings for it have a simple design of a nut and high-temperature silicone seals. Another positive point is that installing corrugated stainless steel requires only a few adjustable or gas wrenches. True, when connecting it to old risers, it is necessary to cut a thread (for more details: “Replacing a heating riser in an apartment: features of the process”). You will need a 3/4 inch die or die.
Unfortunately, the cost of such a pipe is not affordable for all consumers. For example, a meter of 20 mm pipe from the South Korean TM Kofulso costs about 200 rubles. European similar products will cost 2-3 times more.
Video description
Comparison of fuel types in this video:
If there is no gas - pellet boilers BIODOM
If gas is supplied to the house, then it is almost guaranteed to be the optimal heating solution. But if there is no gas, even if there is a central highway nearby, then a prudent owner will consider not only the cost of heating, but will also add in the cost of connecting a gas pipeline to the house. In this case, pellet boilers look more economically profitable. Moreover, there are now innovative solutions on the market to automate their work.
It would seem that the evolution of pellet boilers stopped in the early 2010s, when manufacturers introduced screw feeding technology, which made it possible to significantly simplify the management of the home heating system. Everything that manufacturers have come up with in recent years was more like complicating the boiler for the sake of the complication process itself, rather than helping the boilers themselves become better and more efficient.
It seemed that it was impossible to improve the efficiency of pellet combustion and simplify the process of installation, startup and operation of pellet boilers. But in 2022, the BIODOM company appeared on the Russian market with its development - pellet boilers with BIOLOGIC technology. Back in 2004, having developed and patented its invention, this European company, overcoming the difficulties of an unknown brand, brought its know-how to the masses - a pellet boiler, all interaction with which consists of adding pellets and pressing the “Start” and “Stop” buttons.
BIODOM engineers paid a lot of attention to the energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the boilers they produce Source biodom-ural.ru
Today, BIODOM boilers with BIOLOGIC technology are time-tested, and invariably, from year to year, they prove their uniqueness and performance. One of the main secrets is the use of solutions used in modern cars and their processing to control the combustion of solid fuel, which has become a unique novelty that has solved most of the problems in the industry.
- Boilers have become compact - space can be allocated for them in a house of any size.
- Installation has become as simple and time-consuming as installing an electric boiler.
- The chimney was reduced to the smallest possible size and became the same as that of a gas wall-mounted boiler.
- Activating a new BIODOM pellet boiler is easier than starting a microwave - after pressing the “Start” button, reliable automation will do the rest, including adjusting for pellet quality.
- The cost of installation and operation is one of the lowest compared to boilers operating on other types of fuel.
Thread cutting
The die holder is placed on the pipe, with the long side - it will ensure that the die is strictly perpendicular to the axis of the riser. Before cutting the thread, you need to clean off the paint and ensure that the die fits well by chamfering it with a grinder, a file, or by crimping the edge of the pipe with a gas wrench.
To make the die go easier and not leave burrs, the pipe prepared for threading should be lubricated with any oil. To insert the die, it is pressed against the end of the riser, applying maximum effort, and then the holder is rotated. After cutting the beginning of the first thread, the riser is fixed with a gas wrench so as to compensate for the torque from the die. Otherwise, you can damage the connection between the water supply and the radiator in the apartments below and above. It is enough to make a thread of a maximum of 5 threads, since it is only needed for mounting the adapter fitting on a corrugated pipe.
Modernization of heating equipment in an apartment
Making a decision on the need to replace heating radiators, and, if necessary, pipelines, is within the competence of the owner. Mostly, such an operation is confined to general repair work, but can also be performed separately from them. To carry it out, it is necessary to carry out a number of preparatory measures and purchase new radiators.
Features of choosing heating batteries
The range of heating devices on the market is large and varied both in terms of materials used and cost characteristics. They have different design and efficiency. When choosing the required devices, parameters such as specific heat transfer and geometric dimensions should be taken into account. The first parameter, if selected correctly, will allow you to accurately maintain the temperature and humidity conditions, and the second will fit organically into the window sill niches.
When choosing heating batteries, you should take into account parameters such as specific heat transfer and geometric dimensions.
The following types of radiators are currently available for sale:
- stamped, steel panel type;
- cast iron;
- steel tubular;
- aluminum;
- bimetallic.
The last batteries on the list are the most expensive, but their efficiency is at the highest level. With rare exceptions, all modern equipment has a durable polymer or paint coating and requires annual painting. The choice of a specific type of equipment is determined by many factors, not least the financial capabilities of the client.
Preparatory activities
When replacing heating batteries with gas welding, it is necessary to perform a number of preliminary operations.
First of all, you need to dismantle the old heating devices. To do this you will need an angle grinder and cutting wheels. When cutting pipes, you need to install screens on the sides of the wall and floor, which will avoid damage to these surfaces by scale.
After separating the battery from the pipelines, it is removed from the brackets and carefully turned upside down with flanges and taken out of the room. The hanging fasteners are also dismantled, and the wall behind the radiator is cleaned and finished.
Important! In order to increase the efficiency of heaters, experts recommend installing reflective screens behind them. This will allow you to direct the infrared flux inside the room, and not to heat the wall
This will allow you to direct the infrared flow inside the room, and not to heat the wall.
Installation of new radiators
The operation of replacing heating batteries during welding should be carried out by well-trained specialists. Their qualifications must be high enough to make a sealed seam on the back side of the pipeline.
To install the battery in a niche under the window, you must first install new brackets. These items are usually supplied with the equipment or purchased separately. Markings are made in advance to ensure a strictly horizontal position of the device. It is necessary to maintain the distance from the floor recommended by the manufacturer.
A piece of pipe with a pre-cut thread is welded to the pipeline; their location must coincide with the position of the radiator flanges. The same adapters are pre-screwed into them. Next, you can perform the steps to replace heating batteries yourself. The connection is made using a coupling and a lock nut. All joints are sealed most carefully.
It is better to entrust the replacement of heating batteries with gas welding to professionals.
For this, one of two materials is used: fluoroplastic tape (FUM) or jute tow. In the second case, plumbing specialists also add a little oil paint or primer. After drying, it forms a very reliable and tight connection; in addition, this measure protects the threaded connection from corrosion. After drying, a test run of water is carried out to check the absence of leaks in all welds and joints.
Timely replacement of heating batteries will reduce the cost of heating residential and public premises directly or indirectly. In the first case, if it is possible to regulate, it is possible to reduce the supply of coolant to them or its temperature. In the second option, there will be no need to use additional devices to increase the temperature in the room.
Radiator installation
To avoid heat loss, you need to know how to change the heating in an apartment correctly. Radiators are installed as follows:
- The device is hung strictly level, and depending on the type of brackets, one or another mounting method is used. If there are no brackets, the wall is drilled to a depth of 8-10 centimeters using a 9.5 mm drill and a dozen reinforcement is hammered into the hole. When the radiator is installed, the fittings are cut in place and bent upward;
- For bimetallic radiators, the standard cross-section of the plugs is 25 millimeters, so the thermostat and valve are screwed on using adapters. In order to ensure sealing of the joint, flax with sealant or paint is used. The thermostat head is mounted horizontally so that warm air from the line does not pass through it;
- an adapter is mounted on the pipe from below and above the riser and on the valve with a thermostat;
- To connect a corrugated pipe to a fitting, it is inserted into the hole and the nut is clamped with an adjustable wrench, at the same time the silicone seal securely compresses the ribbed surface. The liner is also made level, but it should not be positioned strictly horizontally, since a minimum slope is required to prevent airing of the heating system and radiator.
Replacing the heating system in an apartment, details in the video:
Starting the heating riser
When starting the risers, you need to screw the plugs onto the winding and fill them with coolant. At the same time, we should not forget about the following nuances:
- when screw valves are mounted on the riser, it is necessary that water flows from the spill in accordance with the arrow on the body, otherwise the valve may tear off;
- First you need to equalize the pressure in the riser and bottling by opening one of the valves and waiting until the noise of the water subsides. Then you need to fully open this and the other valve.
When replacing a radiator during the heating season to restore circulation, the main thing is to remember to bleed the air in the radiator on the top floor.
For reference: refusing to heat the apartment and turning off the heating system for other residents in the house can result in undesirable consequences.
Summary
Questions
1. If I refuse major repairs and replacement of heating risers, what will happen to me in the future?
1.1. You may be legally required to allow workers to perform the specified work on your premises. The courts usually satisfy the relevant claims.
1.2. Good evening. This does not threaten you with anything, since no liability is provided for by law for failure to replace risers.
2. Do I have the right to refuse to replace heating risers as part of a major overhaul?
2.1. Good evening. You do not have the right to refuse to replace heating risers, since heating risers belong to common property and their repairs are carried out at the expense of the management company or the HOA.
3. Is it necessary to pay for an emergency shutdown heating riser to replace radiators?
3.1. Hello. No, this is not provided for by law
4. Is the replacement of the common heating riser included in the current repairs?
4.1. included in major renovation
5. The heating risers in our house were replaced. According to the agreement, they must do so by August 1. We are in the Far North. The other day they installed heating in the city, but in the houses where the heating was replaced there was no heating. We called the campaign and they replied that the passports were not ready; the heating would be unknown when.
5.1. Report to the prosecutor's office IMMEDIATELY... We are talking about causing material harm and harm to the health of all residents of the houses.
6. Can the management company refuse to turn off the heating riser to replace part of the riser running inside the apartment?
6.1. Hello, I may refuse because... the riser inside the apartment belongs to the common property of the residents and is part of the heating system, alas.
7. In all apartments in the house there is a planned replacement of heating risers. There is no basement, communications are under my floor, which means they will dismantle the floor. In addition, the riser pipes are sewn into the walls, which means that the walls in my apartment will also be broken. There are no plans to restore the floor and walls after replacing the pipes. They also ask me to vacate the apartment while the pipes are being replaced, but I have nowhere to go. Is it legal to break floors and walls, damage renovations, and ask to vacate your home? And who will restore the floor, walls and repairs after replacement?
7.1. The estimate for replacing risers should include work to restore the floor and walls, under one condition - if the apartment owner did not unauthorizedly sew up the pipes into the walls and subfloor. It is illegal to demand eviction during repairs. If the walls and floor are not restored, then you can file a claim to recover the cost of restoration or be required to restore it in kind.
8. We have an emergency riser. We made an application to replace the riser and were told the welders would come in three weeks. Two days before the promised arrival, they called and postponed the replacement date for another month, due to indignation that when the heating was turned on, the riser might burst and we would flood the neighbors, they replied that they would shut off the water along the riser and then 10 apartments along the riser would be left without heating for half a month . Are there any reasonable deadlines for eliminating accidents, and what to do if these deadlines are not met?
8.1. Hello. Emergency situations must be resolved within 24 hours. Contact the Criminal Code with a written complaint or a complaint to the housing inspectorate.
9. Please tell me after what period the heating radiator risers are replaced by ZhEK.
9.1. Good afternoon Alexey, these works relate to major renovations, check with the administration when your house will undergo major renovations.
10. Can I refuse to replace heating risers if I already have new pipes? Floor 9 is the last.
10.1. If it is technically possible due to the location of the apartment on the top floor, then you can refuse to replace the heating risers.
