How to flush heating pipes in a private house. Flushing heating systems. Flushing the heating system in a private house: signs of clogged pipes

Management companies must supervise the maintenance of heating systems in apartments. Residents of their own home have to perform maintenance themselves. Current preventive maintenance and repairs must be carried out in a timely manner. Modernization can save space heating costs and extend the life of the boiler and other heating devices. The most important step in preparing for the heating season is cleaning and flushing all heating. It begins with cleaning the circuits of pipes and heating devices from contaminants.

Flushing the heating system in a private house: signs of clogged pipes

For optimal functioning of the heating system, the movement of the coolant through the heating system should not be hindered by anything. There are several signs that the heating system is clogged and a large amount of debris has accumulated in it, and scale has accumulated on the walls of the pipes. There are no obvious or visual signs of system contamination. You can diagnose the system by carefully examining the operation of the heating system and the appearance of a number of signs.

Let us highlight 4 main signs of pipe contamination, namely:

• Warming up the system takes longer than usual;
• The boiler operates with the appearance of incomprehensible sounds;
• Electricity or gas consumption has increased;
• Different temperatures in parts of the radiator, that is, the radiators are clearly at a lower temperature than the supply to them.

In general, uneven or weak heating of the radiator is not always a sign of contamination. This may be airing in the system. In this case, it is enough to bleed the intake air through the vent valve.

In those houses where a central heating system is connected, flushing should be carried out by employees of heat supply organizations and invited craftsmen. But no one can give a 100 percent guarantee that the cleaning of the system was carried out on a full scale. There are too many factors influencing this. The coolant of the central heating system must undergo water treatment, and this reduces the level of pollution. But, unfortunately, such preparation is not always carried out. And the system itself performs its functions for a long time, and this increases the amount of pollution in it.

For central networks and autonomous heating systems, pipe flushing must be carried out once a year. This is a building code. This period is critical for the accumulation of dirt in the pipes, which clearly reduces the efficiency of heating.

Why is flushing the heating system in an apartment building so important?

Sometimes, deposits of salts, scale, rust and sand form inside the pipes and radiators of the central heating system of multi-storey buildings. This formation affects the material from which the heating system is made, and makes the flow pressure in the pipes significantly less. And this can lead to a system breakdown at the most inopportune moment. And this threatens to flood the apartment with hot water, but this is not so important, but what is important is that this water can leak to the neighbors below and there is no way around this without compensation or repairs.

Apart from such a catastrophe, clogged pipes and radiators entail many negative consequences.

The negative consequences of clogged radiators and heating system tinder are as follows:

1. When layers of dirt form in the pipe, the strength of the mechanical type of the heating system decreases.
2. The friction of water on the inner walls of the pipes and radiator clearly increases, and this significantly reduces the speed of fluid flow.
3. The thickness of the walls increases and this reduces the internal diameter of the pipe, and this reduces the heat transfer from the pipes and radiator. The temperature of the liquid also decreases, as it is subjected to thermal resistance.
4. The formation of scale in the system increases the need for fuel for heating, which means an increase in utility costs.

To clean the internal surface of the system from deposits, it is necessary to carry out preventive work. Prevention can be carried out in different ways.

Prevention can be done in the following ways:

• The first method that can help is to try to improve the heat carrier; this can only be done in autonomous heating systems, but not in central heating systems;
• The second method is to flush and press the heating system, and this must be done regularly.

Preventative maintenance of pipes and radiators of the heating system is available to everyone, unlike improving the quality of the coolant.

Chemical liquid for flushing the heating system

Very often, chemicals are used to clean heating systems. With the help of such means, deposits are partially dissolved, peeled off and removed. Chemical reagents have different compositions, it includes various acids, alkalis, complexons and solvents. Such products are toxic and therefore work using them must be carried out carefully and as carefully as possible. Cleaning behavior is approximately 3 days with the heating system running.

Using non-galvanized pipes to clean such a product is not effective and can lead to the discovery of new leaks and new lesions.

Most of the pollution settles on the bottom of pipes, radiators, furnace or boiler heat exchangers. In order to thoroughly clean the entire area, a special cleaning liquid is used instead of water and pumped through the entire system using a pump. After this, the flushing liquid is drained and pressure testing is repeated, and then water is poured into the system and put into use.

It is a little easier to wash batteries yourself in a private house than in an apartment building. There are different ways to clean the installation. For example, cleaning can be done with citric acid; this option is perfect for polypropylene pipes, and rust from metal pipelines will disappear instantly. Washing is also used for heated floors, unless of course it depends on the installation of radiators. Hydrodynamic washing will be ideal here, which makes it possible to clean even the farthest corners. Of course, the work can be done independently, but it is better to entrust it to KOSGU.

How to flush your heating system yourself

Cleaning can be done in several ways, but we will consider the most common, chemical.

An option such as chemical washing involves the use of a solution of an alkaline substance, solvents, organic substances and minerals. The following equipment is needed for washing: a hose, a pump, and a reservoir for draining the liquid.

Washing must be done in the following order:

• Drain all water from the heating system;
• Fill in a special solution;
• We connect the pump to pump the system for about 2 hours;
• Drain the liquid with the reagent;
• We flush the system with plain water.

This method shows a 100 percent cleaning rate, but its use is only possible in iron heating systems. If the system has aluminum elements, then such washing can lead to damage to them. And therefore, before using reagents, you need to consult with an expert or carefully study the contraindications to the use of the cleaner.

Precautions when using this chemical heating system cleaner:

• Before working with such a solvent, you must wear rubber gloves;
• Such chemical cleaners are made with different compositions, and it may have a constituent element that can cause burns to the mucous system and that is why it is better to wear a respirator;
• It is strictly forbidden to pour the cleaner into the toilet or garden after cleaning, and you can buy a special product for disposal.

Be sure to take all these points into account when working with a chemical type substance.

How to properly flush heating (video)

Cleaning batteries is a process that is familiar to almost everyone. Even a child can tell why this process is necessary. As a rule, such work is not done independently. But if you have received permission to do this, then our instructions indicated in the article will definitely be useful to you in your future work. Be sure to consider all recommendations.

How and with what to flush the heating system yourself

There are several reasons that may make the owner of a private home think about cleaning the heating system:

• First of all, this is a decrease in temperature, which is not due to any visible reasons.
• Also - uneven heating of radiators. For example, the top heats up well, but the bottom is practically cold.
• And finally, increased fuel consumption when the battery temperature is insufficient.

Having noticed at least one of these signs, experienced owners are looking for an effective and simple way to flush the heating system in a private home with their own hands.

The easiest way in this matter is to contact a specialized company that provides such services. However, it is no secret that this is an expensive pleasure.

Also, sometimes a water-pulsating mixture is used to flush heating. To do this, a special device is connected to the batteries, which supplies them with a stream of water and air. He, in turn, passing through the system removes all deposits from its internal walls.

This is a good and effective method, but its price is quite high.

An alternative to the two methods described above is mechanical cleaning, however, it involves completely dismantling it before flushing the heating system in a private house with your own hands. This is extremely inconvenient and difficult, and not every master knows how to do it correctly.

It is much easier to go to the nearest store or find a site on the Internet that sells special chemical compounds for flushing heating. This way you will save a lot and the quality of cleaning will not suffer.

The main thing is to choose a good quality product from a reliable manufacturer and make sure that it is suitable for your type of heating system.

The next step is to carefully study the instructions and provide yourself with the necessary protective equipment.

Once these steps have been completed, you can begin the cleaning itself.

Technology for flushing the heating system using a chemical method

1. Before flushing the heating system in a private house with your own hands, turn off the boiler and let the pipes cool.
2. Then a special chemical composition is introduced into the water with which the batteries are filled and the pump is turned on. The liquid begins to circulate and the acid that is included in its composition effectively dissolves all possible types of deposits.
3. After some time, the system is drained and flushed with clean water to wash away any remaining acid.
4. When enough water has passed through the pipes, they can be refilled and the boiler connected.

Once the radiators have warmed up, they will immediately give you the opportunity to notice the results of flushing.

The main advantages of this method are

• High-quality removal of lime deposits and rust on the inner surface of pipes.
• There is no need to completely dismantle the heating system.
• Uniform heating of radiators after flushing.
• Reduced fuel consumption and, as a result, savings.
• Extending the life of the heating system.

Reading time ≈ 9 minutes

The heating system is an important component of every home.

This design includes not only pipelines, but also batteries. The heat supply of the entire room will depend on the condition they are in. But in order to wash it, you should learn about all the features of such a procedure and determine how such washing should be done.

Main causes of pipe contamination

Water flows through the heating pipes. And as you know, water contains many components that can affect metal. The water composition contains the most calcium, iron, and magnesium. When water heats up, they are released in small quantities, deposited inside pipes and other parts of the system from the inside.
Oxide deposits also often form, which is the result of rusting processes of metal elements. Therefore, it is important to determine what kind of pollution has occurred and, based on this, use certain technologies for cleaning.

Dirt can accumulate for years

Most often, the plaque has the following composition:

• iron oxides - up to 25% of the total plaque (if we talk about a steel pipeline);
• magnesium and calcium deposits – 50-60%;
• oxides of sulfur, zinc and copper – no more than 15%.

As you can see, plaque can have a completely different composition. Therefore, it is recommended to take a sample before washing and then determine how to produce it. This will not only save your energy, but also give maximum results.

In order to take plaque for testing, the pipeline should be partially disassembled. But according to statistics, this stage is often skipped. Especially if the heating system was installed not so long ago.

Important: How often the system should be flushed directly depends on the composition of the coolant used, the operating temperature, the material of the pipe itself and the battery.

Features of diagnosing the heating system at home

Many people are concerned about the question: when is it worth washing? Initially, the feasibility of such an action should be determined. Several factors indicate this. They are easy to identify at home yourself.

The first indicator of the need for a system is recognized as uneven heating and, consequently, heat transfer from the batteries. In other words, the battery will be hot in some places and cold or warm in others. This is very easy to determine - touch the radiator. But it is more correct to use a thermal imager or a point thermometer.

Changes in radiator heat transfer

In a private home, it is necessary to compare the current indicators with those stated in the characteristics. To do this, you need to measure the pressure in different zones of the circuit. Where the pipe is clogged, the wire diameter will be smaller. As a result, pressure drops occur. This phenomenon requires flushing the heating system.

Possible external indicators that indicate a blockage in the pipes

If you hear a lot of noise, this indicates that there is a blockage inside the pipes. Noises arise due to the fact that the volume of hot water passing through different zones of the heating system changes.

Also, the need for flushing is indicated by the fairly frequent activation of safety groups. These include an air vent and a bleed valve.

When you are sure that you can’t do without flushing, then it’s time to choose the optimal technology and find out how to flush the heating system in a private house with your own hands to ensure the greatest efficiency.

Pollution can be enormous

Methods for self-flushing the heating system

To prevent the heating season from bringing any unpleasant surprises, choose the most suitable method for cleaning pipes from contaminants. The problem remains the density of the scale. It most often has the same structure, which is located inside the heating devices.

Therefore, if the house has a cast iron radiator that needs to be washed, then the first thing you need to do is divide this deposit into separate components, which will be small. And after that, use liquid pressure to remove the blockage from the pipe.

The cleaning process can be significantly complicated by the presence of a combined heating system, which consists of materials of different types - metal, polymers, and so on. If you choose standard chemical cleaning, the aggressiveness may damage the pipes. So in this case it is worth using mechanical action on the scale.

You can clean the scale yourself

Hydrodynamic method for cleaning a heating system

This method is the most labor-intensive in terms of removing contamination. The essence of the method is the use of a shock wave of water, which is directed and acts on the accumulated blockage.

Such flushing of the system involves the use of specialized equipment, including:

• pumping system;
• professional nozzle;
• a special hose through which liquid is supplied.

Equipment for hydrodynamic cleaning of pipes

The hydrodynamic cleaning method is only suitable for batteries or pipelines that have a simple layout of water channels. When there are pipes of considerable length, the use of chemical methods becomes economically unprofitable due to the significant volumes of the system.

Washing is carried out step by step

Chemical method for cleaning the heating system of a private home

For an apartment building, it is best to use chemicals to clean the heating system. They are capable of breaking down scale into small elements. But to use the chemical method in a private home, you should carefully select the chemical composition of the reagents. After all, some can negatively affect pipes made of aluminum and polymers. So before purchasing, consult with a specialist or carefully read the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Chemical reagents for flushing pipes

Here too some equipment should be used to achieve efficiency. You need to stock up on a pump and a container that will contain the liquid. The equipment must be connected to the main line using pipes. The connection can be in a specific area or throughout the entire heating system in general.

Most often, the purchased chemical reagent must be diluted with water (the proportions are indicated in the instructions). When all preparations are completed, you should proceed to direct washing according to this scheme.

The price of chemical solutions that are intended for flushing a heating system with aluminum radiators and pipes directly depends on the chemical composition and manufacturer. If the heating system is small, then it is better to buy a liquid that is ready for use. If you have an autonomous system, it is better to take a concentrate that needs to be diluted with water.
Important: When using antifreeze in the system, you should rinse the system at least 2-3 times with plain water before cleaning with chemicals.

Small secrets of rinsing

Since cleaning the system, according to the recommendations of specialists, should occur once every 5-6 years, you do not need to buy special equipment. It is enough to rent it for the time of use. This will save you a lot of money and won't take up space in your pantry.

If you need to flush a system that has been uncleaned for about 20 years, then experts recommend dismantling all radiators and the boiler heat exchanger. Thanks to this, cleaning the heating system in a private home will be as effective as possible. There is no need to dismantle the pipes.

Removing the radiator for cleaning

Take care of containers that will be used to drain and store liquid from the network. Especially if you have cast iron pipelines. This is where most of the various types of pollution are generated.

The heating system plays an important role in every home, especially in private homes. Your comfort and health during the cold season depends on its functioning. But with any operation, contamination cannot be avoided. So knowing how to flush the heating system in a private home, doing it yourself, is not only interesting, but also useful. To learn about all the secrets and nuances of flushing your heating system yourself, watch the video with practical tips.

To ensure that your heating system operates correctly and efficiently, it is necessary to carry out preventive maintenance such as inspection, repair, maintenance and flushing of the system from time to time. After all, if the coolant in the pipes is water, then over time scale and rust will form in them and clogging will occur. As a result, water does not circulate well, which leads to heat loss. It has been verified that a heating system that has not been flushed for a long time loses 10% in efficiency. Therefore, washing should be a regular procedure. Flushing the heating system yourself is possible. Let's figure out how to do it.

Why is flushing necessary?

First of all, flushing is needed in order to remove various debris and rust that accumulate in radiators and pipes during operation. As a result, it turns out that the heating system does not function at 100%. You pay money for heat, but don't get it in full. Moreover, we all know that when water is heated, scale forms, especially if the water contains impurities. You can verify this by looking at your kettle. If you haven’t cleaned it for a long time, you may notice a layer of scale on the bottom. The same happens with pipes and radiators. Due to scale, the cross-section of the pipe can be halved, which reduces the permeability of water in the system and its heat transfer (this applies to metal pipes).

It is clear that it is impossible to determine by appearance whether your system needs flushing or not. But you just need to observe how the system functions and take some actions. So, you can find out whether pipes and radiators need to be flushed or not by the following signs:

• The system takes longer to warm up than usual.
• When the boiler is operating, extraneous noises are heard that were not observed before.
• The radiator warms up partially: the top is warm, but the bottom is not, or the last fins are cold.
• The radiator is absolutely cold, but the supply pipe is hot.
• Recently, the consumption of thermal energy has increased, and you have started paying more for gas.

All these signs will help you decide to flush your pipes and radiators. This will improve the performance of your heating system.

If the radiator only partially warms up, this is not always a sign of a clogged system. Perhaps he's just arrogant. In this case, you need to bleed the air from the radiator using Mayevsky taps.

Let's get started

When you are convinced that flushing is really necessary, you can start doing it yourself. This procedure cannot be called simple, so you will have to make some efforts and spend a lot of time. First you need to perform hydraulic flushing.

First of all, you need to turn off the water supply and drain it from the heating system. If you live in a high-rise building, you will have to go to the basement. Since it may be closed, ensure access to it in advance. If you are a resident of a private house, this procedure is easier to complete. Now disconnect the radiators from the pipes and remove them. It is difficult to do this on your own, of course, unless you are Hercules, since cast iron radiators are quite heavy. So ask for help. If you cannot unscrew the connection, the coupling needs to be heated.

After removing the battery, it can be pre-cleaned mechanically. It is inconvenient to carry out further work in an apartment or house, since it involves using a large volume of water. Place the radiator upside down, closing the hole at the bottom. Then use a hose to fill the battery with water. Next, the water needs to be released through the hole at the bottom, opening it. If the water literally “flew” out of the hole and carried away debris and scale, you did everything right. The whole process must be repeated until the water that comes out of the battery is clean.

Since the hot water moved through the radiator in one direction, the scale it left behind formed in the form of scales. By turning the radiator over, you run water in the opposite direction, which helps the water better remove all the scale. If this method is ineffective in your case, and the contamination still remains, consider other cleaning options. They will help cope with various contaminants and clean not only radiators, but also pipes.

Without removing batteries

Today there are many types of heating system flushing. You can use each of them. Let's look at 5 different heating system cleaning technologies:

1. Chemical washing.
2. Dispersive washing.
3. Electrohydropulse washing.
4. Pneumohydropulse washing.

Chemical washing involves the use of special chemically active substances. This can be whey, caustic soda, vinegar, phosphoric, orthophosphoric and other acids, special formulations purchased at the store. The specifics of flushing the system depend on the choice of products. If you use a special composition, instructions for use are written on the packaging. This sequence was developed by the manufacturers, so it must be followed. If you use “improvised” reagents, you need to pour them into the system and turn on the pump for 15 minutes every 4 hours. The procedure should be carried out for several days, after which the coolant should be drained and the system flushed several times. Dry cleaning is quite risky and is used for ferrous metals.

Dispersed washing is more gentle. A special reagent is introduced into the system, which acts exclusively on scale and debris without interacting with metal. This washing can be done for both metal and plastic pipes. The technology is quite simple and similar to chemical technology: a circulation pump is connected to the system, a reagent is introduced, which circulates through pipes and radiators, after which it is removed.

After such washing, the pipes are cleaned, and a protective hydrophobic film is formed on their walls - the “plastic pipe effect”, thanks to which salts do not settle on the surface.

Hydropneumatic washing involves breaking up contaminants using a special washing unit. It delivers fine jets of water and compressed air into the system at high pressure, which wash away rust, scale and other deposits.

Pneumohydropulse washing can be performed using a special pulse apparatus or a pneumatic gun. The system is exposed to multiple impulses that remove contaminants. This ensures spot cleaning of water pipes and radiators. Used for Ø 150 mm, no more.

Electrohydropulse cleaning is also performed using a special unit. The cleaning process involves applying an electrical impulse to the heating system pipe through a coaxial cable. After which, an electric discharge is formed at the end of the cable, creating a powerful shock wave that affects the scale, destroying it.

During such micro-explosions, pipes are not damaged or deformed. The main blow comes from pollution. At the end of cleaning, all debris must be washed out of the system with running water.

Doing such cleaning of the heating system is not only possible, but necessary! Such events should be carried out regularly. Thanks to this, you can significantly increase water permeability and heat transfer, which will save your money. The main thing is caution and following the rules. And to reduce the formation of scale in the pipes, you can install a special filter in front of the boiler, which will purify the water circulating in the system.

Video

How to carry out hydropneumatic flushing, see below:

Heating systems in private houses and apartments require periodic flushing. In apartment buildings, this work is carried out by utility workers, while owners of private houses have to do everything themselves or hire third-party specialists. During operation, various small particles enter the heating system and settle in the radiators, pipes and boiler. Without flushing, these particles will accumulate and compact, which will lead to clogging of heating devices and pipes, disruption of water circulation in the heating system, and failure of the heating system. To prevent all these problems, periodic flushing of the heating system is necessary. Before flushing the heating system with your own hands, be sure to study the rules and features of this work.

Scheme of permanent hydropneumatic flushing of the heating system.

Flushing heating system pipelines: why is it necessary?

To properly flush the heating system, you need to know why this flushing is performed.

The technology for flushing heating system pipelines is quite simple, so if you follow certain rules, you can do everything yourself.

Flushing of pipelines and other parts of the heating system is necessary in cases where the heating system, which has not been flushed for more than 5-10 years, has low energy efficiency, which is associated, first of all, with a large number of deposits of magnesium and calcium salts on the walls of the heating system pipelines. It is known that a layer of deposits with a thickness of only 1 mm reduces heat transfer by approximately 10%, which immediately affects the overall energy efficiency of the heating system and energy consumption. Moreover, the overgrowing of heating system pipelines with scale and deposits leads to a drop in temperature in heated rooms.

Standard flow diagram for flushing a heating system.

If you refuse to flush the heating system pipes in a timely manner, the consequences can be simply catastrophic. You need to understand that flushing the heating system pipes is a mandatory service procedure. This technology is designed to maintain the heating system in proper condition for a long time. High-quality and long-term operation of the heating system is impossible without periodic flushing, which, of course, must be done correctly.

In case of refusal to timely flush the heating system pipes, breakdown and destruction of expensive equipment of the heating station is possible, the possibility of various emergency situations, including defrosting of the heating system in winter, cannot be excluded, which ultimately leads to idle time of the heating system and significant financial losses, the processes of mechanical destruction are noticeably accelerated heating pipes, etc. That is why the operating rules of the heating system regulate its mandatory periodic inspection.

Why do deposits form on the walls of heating system pipes?

The main conductor of heat is water. It is this that is the main cause of contamination of the heating system. Sludge, formed by hard water salts or tiny particles of sludge, eventually becomes scale, a solid sediment. By settling on the inner walls of the heating system pipes, scale significantly reduces the efficiency of the heating system.

Heating system flushing diagram.

A thick layer of scale is characterized by high thermal insulation properties, i.e. prevents heat transfer. In addition, scale intensifies the mechanical processes of wear of pipes and other elements of the heating system.

That is why the operating rules for heating indicate the need to periodically carry out various preventive maintenance work, an integral part of which is flushing.

Flushing the heating system: how do you know when it's time?

There are a number of signs that indicate that it is time to flush the heating system:

• Heating radiators heat up unevenly. Typically, the top of the battery is warm while the bottom is cold;
• when the heating boiler heats up, a characteristic crackling sound is heard due to a thick layer of scale;
• heating the premises takes much longer than previously required;
• the boiler operating power decreases;
• coolant costs increase significantly;
• When the supply pipes are hot, the batteries remain cold.

The rules for flushing the heating system provide for the possibility of using chemical and physical cleaning methods. Physical methods include hydraulic shock and hydraulic pulse flushing, which require the use of special equipment - a compressor. The chemical flushing method is the use of various preparations that dissolve sludge and scale deposits.

Scheme of chemical cleaning of pipes.

To flush the heating system yourself, prepare the necessary tools:

• construction key;
• chisel;
• spanners;
• basin;
• products selected according to the cleaning method (compressor or descaling agents).

Flushing the heating system with a water-pulsating mixture and biological products

This method is based on cleaning heating pipes with a pulsating mixture of water and compressed air. The rules and technology are quite simple. Compressed air is supplied to the heating system, the turbulence of which with water raises particles of salts, corrosion, soot, sand and other deposits. Further pulsed air supply removes sludge from the pipes of the heating system, preventing it from settling on the walls.

By following the rules and technology of such flushing, you can extend the life of your system by 20 years or more. This method allows you to clean the heating network at any time of the year without dismantling the risers and radiators.

Standard scheme for chemical cleaning of pipes.

Flushing heating system pipes with biological preparations is a highly effective and environmentally friendly method, the rules and technology of which provide for the introduction of microbiological preparations into the heating system.

Circulating through the pipes of the system, biological products break down organic, oily, mud and solid deposits. The rules and technology of this method do not provide for disassembly or disconnection. Another positive point in this case is the safety of modern cleaners for older systems.

Flushing the heating system through pneumatic hydraulic shock and chemicals

This method is usually used for flushing old heating systems. The rules and technology for performing such work provide for the impact of a hydraulic shock wave on the system, which propagates through the system at a speed of 1200 m/s and breaks through plugs of scale and sludge. The walls of radiators and pipes, in this case, are not destroyed, because they are affected by no more than 2% of the total force of the wave shock, and the remaining 98% comes from various deposits, which are destroyed and discharged through a flexible hose into the sewer system.

By following the rules of hydrotreating, you can significantly reduce operating costs, because There is no need to replace pipes and radiators.

Various chemical preparations allow you to clean and flush pipelines, risers and other components of the heating system using reagents based on organic and inorganic acids. This method of chemical washing is considered one of the most economical, and covers not only surfaces, but also hard-to-reach places of deposits.

Diagram of the heat exchanger device.

When using such reagents, it is very important to follow the rules for their use, which are usually given on the packaging. Technological means completely eliminate traces of scale and corrosion in the heating system within 5-10 hours.

However, the rules for using such products indicate the need to assess the condition of heating equipment. The physical condition of radiators and pipes, degree of wear, wall thickness - these parameters must be carefully examined for the risk of damage to them by chemical reagents, the composition of which, as a rule, includes hydrochloric acid.

Take into account the fact that, even if you follow all the rules for flushing the heating system, it is not always possible to achieve the required result. Sometimes, due to particularly large contamination, complex cleaning is needed, the rules for which require the use of several different methods.

Features of dismountable washing of the heat exchanger

If the heat exchanger is very dirty or completely out of order, dismountable flushing can help. The rules and technology for dismountable washing are quite simple. It is necessary to disassemble the heat exchanger, remove all the plates, soak them in a special solution, wash each plate manually, and insert the package of plates into the heat exchanger. After this, the heat exchanger is assembled and pressure tested.

By following the rules of this work, you will receive many benefits:

• dismountable heating flushing guarantees the highest quality;
• any contamination is eliminated;
• everything happens clearly, and you can see the entire work process.

However, there are also disadvantages that cannot be avoided, even if you follow all the rules of work. So, if your heat exchanger has been worn out, under critical conditions, or the service life of the rubber seals has expired, then you may have to change the heat exchanger seals, which will increase the cost and duration of the work.

As a rule, the above-mentioned technology for dismountable cleaning of the heat exchanger differs only in the choice of a specific method for cleaning the plates of the device after disassembling it. Several basic methods are used:

• in the case of dismountable washing, it is sometimes possible to remove contaminants using a jet of water from a special high-pressure apparatus;
• If there are more serious deposits, you must first clean the heat exchanger plates from the top layer of deposits using a high-pressure apparatus, then soak them in an acid solution, and then clean them again using a high-pressure apparatus.

Features of in-place flushing of heat exchangers

To prevent and extend the service life of heating systems, in-place flushing is used, the rules for which provide for the use of special equipment designed for in-place flushing. This method is used for both gasketed and soldered heat exchangers.

Among the disadvantages of this method, one can highlight the fact that if the heat exchanger is clogged with various mechanical impurities (particles of sludge after welding pipelines, etc.), in-place heating flushing will not be effective enough, even if all the rules for performing the work are followed. And the advantage, in fact, is that there is no need to disassemble the heat exchanger.

Heat exchanger composition.

In-place chemical washing is performed using a special apparatus. This device allows you to perform chemical cleaning of welded, brazed or plate heat exchangers. Externally, it is a tank made of high-strength plastic, equipped with a built-in heating element and a reversible pump. While flushing, for example, a plate heat exchanger, this device is alternately connected to the circuits of the unit through the drain holes.

Inside the device itself during operation there is a special detergent made on the basis of organic additives and phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid is very well suited for chemical cleaning and flushing: when it gets inside the heat exchanger circuit, it dissolves the compounds that make up the scale. Along with this, due to the fact that the cleaning solution for chemical washing of heat exchangers also contains inhibitors and organic additives, it does not cause any harm to the heat exchanger plates.

After all the scale has been dissolved, the cleaning solution must be drained through the drain holes and the heat exchanger rinsed with clean water. After this it is ready for use again.

This modern technology, if you follow all the rules for its implementation, has many advantages, namely:

• the ability to perform work without dismantling or with partial dismantling of the heating system at any time of the year, including during the heating season;
• the use of environmentally friendly and certified chemicals ensures safe working conditions;
• economic efficiency and high productivity of use;
• performing the entire range of work with high quality and in the shortest possible time.

To clean heat exchangers and heating systems, modern preparations are used that can dissolve ferrous and carbonate deposits from the surfaces of copper and steel alloys, and the inhibitor they contain prevents the aggressive effects of hydrochloric acid. The active substances in the cleaning product accelerate the washing process, which allows you to quickly remove even difficult-to-soluble and dense sediments. The dispersant prevents the re-deposition of washed deposits (especially in places of circulation), and the anti-foaming component does not allow the working solution to foam abundantly and prevents the formation of the so-called. “dead zones”, allowing the surfaces of heating pipelines to be completely cleaned.