Diy bimetallic heating radiator repair

Weak heat transfer from radiators during the heating season can occur for various reasons. The most popular of these is depressurization or reduced flow capacity in cavities. It is not always possible to get rid of such elements of the system, so you can carry out an independent repair of the heating battery. With its help, in many cases it is possible to restore the functionality of a failed node.

In modern living quarters, there are several types of radiators that effectively cope with their task. The main difference between the two is the material used. It is customary to use the following types:

• Cast iron. Affordable, but heavy. They are used more often in apartment buildings.

• Aluminum. They are in demand in low pressure systems. They do not tolerate pressure drops and water hammer.

• Bimetallic. They have a long service life. They are quite expensive.

• Steel. They have good thermal conductivity, but are susceptible to rapid corrosion processes, which reduce the service life.

In most cases, the repair of heating radiators is effective with cast iron sections.

Homeowners usually start to worry when the radiator is leaking, and not when the first problem symptoms appear. To reduce the likelihood of failure of radiators, it is worth paying attention to the behavior of the system as a whole and its individual sections:

• repair of cast iron batteries or other material may be necessary with incorrectly selected pipe diameters, with erroneously set pressure or inappropriate choice of the coolant temperature;
• with a large amount of undesirable impurities in the composition of the coolant, physicochemical destruction of the material occurs from the inside of the radiator;
• the heating batteries will require repair when a plaque forms at the joints between the radiator sections, clogging the passage of the coolant through the system;
• damage to threaded nipples leads to the repair of heating batteries;
• when the heating radiator in the apartment makes noise, this does not always indicate its malfunction, but you can call the repair team to check this process;
• radiators are noisy, including from formed air jams, which arise due to pipe leaks.

Video (click to play).

Leak point in a cast iron radiator

It is impossible to ignore problem radiators, as this can lead to the formation of material or physical damage, because the temperature of the coolant inside the system is very high.

The appearance of leaking spots is usually observed during peak loads on the heating system. If the heating battery leaks, we will tell you what to do next. It is easy to notice the leak by protruding droplets in a hot area or a small wet area under one of the sections.

Self-repair of a cast-iron battery will be effective in a private house or in an apartment with individual heating. In apartment buildings, it is recommended to connect specialists from the management company to the process, since the system has a higher pressure and it is not always possible to independently disconnect from the central heating.

The best solution would be to replace the old radiator with a new one.

Before work, it is necessary to reduce the pressure and temperature in the pipes, since it can be problematic to eliminate a leak in a hot cast-iron radiator. Several repair methods are used:

A hole created by corrosion or mechanical damage is better welded than cold welded. For cast iron, separate electrodes are used, and for the convenience of repair, you can remove the section, having previously blocked the riser with water.

Restoration work must be carried out after a complete seasonal heating shutdown. If the sections are built into a niche and are not supposed to be dismantled, then they must be at a sufficient distance from the wall. With dismantled elements, the restoration of cast iron batteries is usually carried out in their horizontal position. The second method is preferred. The remaining coolant is removed from the cavities and plugs or plugs are disposed of.

When unscrewing the radiators, it should be borne in mind that the plugs have a cut left-hand thread, and the cutouts have a right-hand thread.

We combine the working head of the key with the nipple in the section. We install an emphasis under the key so as not to bend it. Next, we begin to disassemble the sections. If the rusted thread does not lend itself, then this place must be warmed up with a burner or autogenous gun, scrolling the fire around the thread. Replacing the problem section, we return the radiator to its place.

It is advisable to prevent the formation of foci of corrosion on the outside of the radiators. To do this, it is recommended to paint them regularly. Previously, the surface is cleaned with a metal brush or sandpaper.

Separately, a few words must be said about the paint for radiators. You should choose a special non-toxic coating designed for temperature differences, with protection against corrosion and cracking, so that when heated, no toxic substances are released.

More and more often in apartments and houses you can find unconventional design of radiators. Most often we are talking about protective screens - an aesthetically designed panel that covers the radiator, but at the same time it does not interfere with convection. It is much less common for batteries to be painted in different colors. And although this is still rare in our apartments, it always looks very original and fresh.

VIDEO: How to repair a radiator without draining water from the riser

Any repair without the involvement of specialists is a troublesome and unpleasant task that requires both financial costs and investment of time in it.

Do-it-yourself repair of bimetallic radiators can be done quickly and without problems, provided that three conditions are met: adhere to the sequence of actions, have the necessary tools for this and be able to independently determine the cause of the breakdown.

Knowing how to disassemble bimetallic radiators, the rest of the work will be easy. They can be soldered, cracked and flushed just like other sectional structures such as cast iron, steel or aluminum.

The uniqueness of this type of heaters is in their design. Combining two types of metals in one design is an opportunity to take the best from each of them, while replacing their weaknesses.

On sale there are:

• Combination of a stainless steel core with an aluminum sheath. In this case, these metals complement each other in the following:
• Steel has a thermal conductivity of only 47 W, which is quite a bit for high-quality heating of a room. Aluminum has a heat dissipation of 190 W. By heating from the core, the casing effectively transfers heat to the room.
• Aluminum is "afraid" of water, namely high acidity, as it causes corrosion in it. Stainless steel is so named because it is not afraid of any coolant. Installation of steel collectors inside the aluminum body protected it from interaction with water. Thanks to this, the service life of bimetallic radiators is 20-25 years, while for models consisting exclusively of aluminum, it rarely exceeds 10 years.
• The strength of steel allows batteries of this type to withstand any water hammer, which gives consumers the ability to install them in homes with a centralized and unstable heating system.

Thus, the combination of two such different metals has created a strong and reliable structure, although its heat transfer is slightly lower than that of aluminum counterparts.

• The combination of a copper core with an aluminum top is a real breakthrough as these metals cannot even be kept close, but together they create the device with the highest heat dissipation. Separation of copper and aluminum ensures their durability and strength of the entire structure.
• Semi bimetallic radiators are equipped only with vertical steel collectors, while horizontal ones are made of aluminum. They are cheaper, but less durable, although their strength and heat transfer are at a high level.

This is how a bimetallic heating radiator works. If such a reliable structure is out of order, it means that mistakes were made during its installation.

Before proceeding with the repair of the radiator, you should deal with the cause of the malfunction. As practice shows, there are several main reasons for the breakdown of a bimetallic battery:

• Wrong model selected. If you do not correlate the indicators of the heating system with the technical characteristics of the battery, it may turn out that they do not fit together.
• Incorrect connection to the system. For example, if the pipes or adapters to them are copper, and the case of the radiator is aluminum, then the contact of these metals will provoke the formation of corrosion.
• Too dirty coolant can destroy even the most expensive and high-quality heating devices, leaving deposits in the form of suspended solids and debris on their walls for many years. When bimetallic radiators do not fully warm up, the most common reason for this is their clogging.
• "Looseness" of nipples and gaskets often cause not only temperature changes, but also water hammer. The former need to be periodically checked and tightened up, and the latter should be changed.
• When noise is heard in the batteries, airiness may be the cause, but the question of why bimetallic radiators click is best answered by specialists. The reason may be caused by internal damage, which can only be determined by employees of the heating network using special equipment.

It is possible to repair bimetallic heating radiators during the heating season only if the following signs are manifested:

• The battery does not heat up or only gets hot in one part.
• A leak has appeared at the joints of the connections or in the battery itself.
• Loud noise and crackling noise in the heating system.

If there are no obvious reasons why bimetallic radiators are not heated, then you should call the masters who, with the help of special devices, will find a breakdown. Only if the reason for the poor performance of the battery is established, can it be dismantled and repaired.

Not a single, even the most reliable heating system is immune from breakdowns. It is difficult to expect that with the quality of the heat carrier in the city heating system, the radiators will work flawlessly for years. As a rule, the first sign of why bimetallic radiators do not heat well is their clogging.

To rectify the situation, it is enough to clean the system. To do this, you need to know how to flush bimetallic radiators at home. In this simple work, the main thing is to follow the sequence of actions.

By following all the steps sequentially, any beginner can cope with such a simple job as cleaning batteries. It is more difficult if they have leaked, which will have to be eliminated either by soldering, or with glue, or by cold welding.

A crack on a bimetallic radiator is an extremely unpleasant event, since the repair of aluminum products is always difficult.

This metal tends to oxidize on contact with oxygen, which causes it to form an oxide film. It appears immediately, as soon as a piece of metal is "exposed".That is why it is difficult for a beginner without proper experience to repair a bimetallic radiator. Professionals know how to solder an aluminum frame, but this does not mean that this work cannot be done independently.

The main thing that the master will need is a flux, with which you can solve the problem with the appearance of an oxide film. Special means for soldering aluminum can be bought at the store, or you can prepare it yourself.

After the issue of removing the oxide has been resolved, you can perform conventional soldering using an iron-rosin mixture as a solder.

This method will pay off in the case of a small crack or hole. When urgent repairs are required, epoxy glue can be used as a temporary solution. The principle of cold welding is considered one of the best ways to eliminate cracks and holes in aluminum products, and a bimetallic radiator is no exception. Funds for this work are sold in building materials stores.

As practice shows, if a section of a bimetallic radiator has suffered severely, then it is easier to replace it with a new one than to try to fix it and be afraid that a new leak will occur at any time.

Summing up, the following conclusions can be drawn:

• Expensive bimetallic radiators break down too.
• They can be repaired by yourself, provided that the cause of the breakdown is correctly identified.
• The collectors of these batteries are clogged with dirt in the same way as with heaters made of other types of metals.
• Flushing the batteries every 2-3 years is a good prophylaxis that allows you to keep the heating system clean and prolongs the "life" of all its elements.

Thus, the repair of bimetallic radiators is not difficult if you follow the sequence of actions.

The need to disassemble heating batteries can arise in every home. If one of the sections leaks, then it must be replaced or removed. It is necessary to add additional ribs when the existing one does not warm up the room to the desired temperature. And if it gets hot in the apartment during the heating season, you need to remove the extra sections. Such tasks are solved with the help of professionals, but if the financial condition leaves much to be desired, you will have to learn how to disassemble a heating radiator with your own hands. This will save money and gain a rewarding experience.

How to disassemble a heating radiator with your own hands

If a heating element breaks down, especially in the cold season, it must be repaired or replaced immediately. Whether the radiator can be disassembled depends on the type of its design. Quite often, non-separable types of radiators are installed in apartments, which cannot be restored. In this case, it is best to purchase a new battery right away. But there are also collapsible models that can be dismantled to replace the damaged element and installed back.

Products are divided into two main types:

1. Sectional batteries assembled from several identical sections, securely connected to each other. Each of them has a channel through which water circulates, and fins that radiate heat heat the room. Sectional batteries are the most popular because the cost of such radiators is lower. In the event of a breakdown, it is enough to replace only the damaged section, and if necessary, you can always add or remove ribs.

Sectional heating batteries

1. Monolithic products represent one integral structure that does not have separate sections. Outwardly, these radiators may resemble sectional counterparts, but the differences between them are obvious. In monolithic devices, there are no connecting joints, due to which they are able to withstand more pressure. From this, the terms of failure-free operation of these structures are almost twice as long as those of sectional ones. But in the event of a leak, the monolithic device will have to be changed completely.In sectional products, it will be enough to replace the damaged element.

Bimetallic monolithic radiator

At this stage, you need to prepare all the necessary tools and dismantle the battery from the attachment point. For work, depending on the type and condition of the radiator, you may need the following tools:

• radiator (nipple) key;
• an adjustable wrench or a set of wrenches with different head sizes;
• autogen or grinder;
• construction hair dryer;
• hammer, sledgehammer;
• chisel.

Disassembly tools for heating batteries

A nipple wrench is an iron rod with a spatula-shaped head at one end and a hole or curved "ear" at the other. The tool purchased from the store has serifs, the distance between which is equal to the width of the heating radiator sections. They will help you find the location of the desired nipple nut.

After preparing the tools, it is necessary to equip a place for disassembling the radiator. A floor or a sturdy table will do. It should be borne in mind that dirty water will flow out of the battery, and do not forget to put a waterproof cloth under it.

To disconnect the radiator from the system and remove it from the mounting location, proceed as follows:

1. Stop water circulation and relieve pressure.
2. If the radiator is hot, you need to wait until it cools down and then disconnect from the system. To do this, unscrew the inlet and outlet couplings.
3. Move the coupling away from the radiator along the pipe and remove the device from the brackets.
4. Drain off remaining water and place the product face up in the disassembly area.
5. Pull out and rinse the filter immediately so that dirt does not dry out on it.

Dismantling of bimetallic and aluminum sectional products

In the next step, the radiator is disassembled into separate sections. To avoid damage during operation, you need to figure out which way you need to turn the nipple-nut. This element is a ring nut with an external thread and grooves inside on both sides. In this case, one nut has both a right-hand and a left-hand thread. If you unscrew it, then the adjacent sections of the battery will move apart evenly, and when twisted, they will contract.

Typically, manufacturers make markings on the face of plugs and butts that indicate thread directions. The “D” mark indicates the right-hand thread, “S” the left-hand thread. To accurately determine the direction of movement, it is recommended to take a free nipple-nut and try to thread it onto the thread in the radiator. Having decided in which direction it is twisted, it will become clear where to turn the key in order to disconnect the sections.

Important! If the nipple-nut is turned in the wrong direction, you can easily break off the thread on it and on the radiator.

Having decided on the direction of the thread, insert the nipple wrench into the radiator and slide it to the desired nut. The notches on the tool will help to do this. When it is in the grooves, insert the lever into the hole on the other side of it. Force is required to move the nut. Call an assistant to fix the radiator in one place.

Repair of bimetallic radiators

When the nut has advanced half a turn, go to the other side to unscrew the other, and do the same. After making sure that both nuts rotate without applying great physical force, gradually unscrew one or the other side, moving 5-7 mm.

Gasket between radiator sections

After disconnecting, take away the metal spacers that were between the sections. If they are in good condition, then they can be installed back during assembly, if in poor condition, then use them as a sample for buying new ones. Silicone gaskets must be replaced.

Cast iron heating battery

Cast iron products, as a rule, stand in apartments for several decades. In this regard, in many cases it is impossible to disassemble them without damaging them.To remove the battery from the attachment point, unscrew the inlet and outlet squeegees. If this did not work out, it will have to be cut off with a grinder or autogenous machine. After dismantling, the product is washed and placed on a flat surface.

We cut off the old battery with a grinder

Over the years of operation, the joints between the sections, nipple-nuts and other individual elements stick to each other. Due to this, disassembly requires the use of more physical force than when working with new radiators. If the nut does not loosen, use a tool to heat up the joints. When the stuck areas are warmed up, it will be easier to separate them.

Advice: for heating, you can use a building hair dryer, autogen or blowtorch.

If the grooves for fixing the key in the connecting nuts are corroded by rust, the product cannot be disassembled. An effective way to remove a damaged section is mechanical breakage using a sledgehammer, but in this case there is a great risk of damaging the entire structure. You can also try to saw the battery at the joints with a grinder or a hacksaw for metal.

After separating the damaged section from the entire structure, try knocking out the nipple nuts with a hammer and chisel. To make it easier to work, have an assistant. It may not be possible to remove and disassemble the radiator with your own hands, since the cast iron products are very heavy. One section weighs about 7.5 kg. Accordingly, a battery in 10 sections will pull 75 kg.

Disassembly diagram of cast iron heating radiators.

If you understand how to disassemble a heating radiator with your own hands, this can be done quickly and without any negative consequences. The main thing is to stock up on the necessary tools and knowledge. Problems can arise with old batteries. But if you're lucky, you will be able to remove the necessary sections. Otherwise, you will have to buy a new heating element.