DIY heating repair

In detail: do-it-yourself heating repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Heating is the most expensive item when living in a private house. Installation, maintenance and operation of systems are very expensive. The service life of pipes and heating devices is quite long, but not infinite. Sooner or later, some elements of the system fail. You can call specialists or make repairs to the heating in a private house yourself. There is nothing particularly complicated in it, so it makes sense to consider the main types of faults and think about how to solve the problem with minimal financial costs.

Routine repair is the repair and replacement of worn-out system elements. As a rule, this is the elimination of leaks, minor repairs of boilers, etc. Such an event usually does not require a long shutdown of the entire system and costs little money. Overhaul arises a need during periods of overhaul and reconstruction of buildings, in cases of wear of all or many parts and assemblies:

replacement of a boiler, stove or heat accumulator;
complete or partial replacement of heating pipes;
installation of new radiators or underfloor heating systems.

The need for overhaul occurs infrequently, sometimes systems serve for several decades without serious breakdowns. The frequency of replacement and refurbishment of the system depends on the quality of the heating devices and pipes that the owners choose for specific buildings. Therefore, when choosing, you should pay attention to the products of firms with a good reputation and to the technical characteristics of the models.

There are several reasons for battery breakdowns:

radiators are initially of poor quality or poorly mounted;
poor quality coolant and harsh operating conditions of batteries (for example, high operating pressure);
corrosion, the appearance of plaque at the joints of radiators and pipes;
wear of the intersection gaskets and / or threaded nipples.

Video (click to play).

It happens that there are several reasons why the batteries have leaked, and they are associated with the "advanced age" of heating devices. In this case, partial repairs will become a never-ending and pointless endeavor. It is better to spend money once on the purchase of new equipment than to constantly patch up the old one. If the batteries are still relatively new, then the exact location of the leak should be identified and repaired.

Most of the time, the location of the leak is obvious, but sometimes it can be difficult to identify. Easy way: Run a dry white cloth over the area of the battery where you suspect the problem. There is a leak in the area where moisture has soaked in the napkin. If you still can't find it, then you need to turn off the system, remove the radiator and immerse it in a bath of water. Where air bubbles go, it flows there.

After completing the diagnostics, prepare the repair tools:

putty or welding machine;
sealant;
thin steel cable;
whitewash;
metal clamp, bolts and nuts to it;
a small amount of gasoline;
an oilcloth and a rag to protect the floor from moisture.

Clean the place of leakage to metal, rinse thoroughly with gasoline.
Treat with putty: apply the composition on a strip of fabric and wrap it around the joint in 2-3 layers.
Place the clamp on the putty and secure with bolts. Seal, wait for all materials to dry and touch up.

The reasons for the appearance of leaks in pipes are the same as in radiators: wear "from old age", chemically aggressive coolant, pressure surges, leakage at the joints. Usually, it is not difficult to repair or replace a pipe, but if the wiring is hidden, then problems can really arise. That is why, with hidden installation, they necessarily provide for the possibility of free access to communications.

For urgent repairs, you need to stop the operation of the system: turn off the boiler, pumps, close all valves, drain the water. To eliminate the leak, you will need a clamp with a seal. Then you should proceed like this:

Parse the connection.
Apply a layer of pre-roll.
Install the clamp.

If the pipe is steel, and the leak is not formed at the joint, but on the body of the pipe, you will have to use welding. When repairing copper products, welding is also used, but this process is more complicated, so you will have to contact a specialist.

An alternative to welding is capillary brazing. Unfortunately, it is not always effective and the pipe leaks again. If this occurs repeatedly, replace the damaged area. This will require less effort, nerves and money than a new repair of worn out metal. Metal-plastic pipes are not repaired, but immediately replaced.

Experts strongly advise against repairing heating boilers on their own. This should be done by professionals, because negligent or inept work can lead to unpredictable consequences. After installing the boiler, keep the operating instructions. It clearly states what and how the owner can do it himself:

adjust the temperature;
turn on the gas supply;
remove air.

Entrust the rest of the work to people who are well versed in heating technology. Do not risk your life and property.

If there are no big problems with the repair of pipes and radiators, everything can be done by hand, then it is better not to try to repair boilers and circulation pumps yourself. A faulty boiler is fire hazardous, and the pumps often "do not survive" after the intervention of amateurs in their work. To repair these elements of heating systems, call the masters.

Repairing heating radiators is, in general, a simple matter and does not require much special knowledge. The main thing here is to have a general idea of what this radiator is. Therefore, it would be necessary to first figure out what kind of radiators are, and only then talk about their repair.

Repair of radiators is a delicate thing

So, a radiator is a heating device that consists of columnar elements, or sections. All these sections are hollow inside and a coolant circulates through these cavities. In most cases, this is water, but there is also another heat-carrying liquid. For example, mineral oil.

Radiators are divided into several types:

Cast iron.
Aluminum.
Steel.
Bimetallic.
Oil.

Cast iron heating radiators are installed in multi-storey buildings. They are quite powerful and compact, do not react to the poor quality of the heating fluid circulating in them and do not corrode, which makes them durable. Due to their heavy weight, these batteries are quite heat-intensive, but the same characteristic complicates their installation and maintenance.

Old, but not yet forgotten cast iron radiator

Another disadvantage is probably the destruction of the nipples and the wear of the intersection gaskets, which often leads to the formation of leaks. In addition, plaque forms on the walls of the porous internal channels, which reduces heat transfer.

Aluminum radiators have the following subtypes:

cast, in which each section is a one-piece cast product;
extrusion, that is, those in which each section consists of three hermetically connected components.

Heating structures made of aluminum have a high heat transfer. Due to the fact that these batteries hold a small amount of heating fluid, they are quite convenient when there is a need for constant temperature control.

Well-known aluminum radiator

The use of this type of radiator in systems intended for centralized heating is not desirable, since they are easily destroyed by pressure drops. Along with this, they are quite easy to install and weigh relatively little.

The main disadvantage of such batteries is that they do not tolerate well the components that make up the heating fluid. In addition, gases accumulate in them, and this causes airing of the heating system.

Steel radiators are of the following subspecies:

The panel battery consists of two sheets of steel. These sheets have special recesses, which during welding form channels for the circulation of the heating fluid.

Panel steel radiator

Such products weigh little, and also have a shallow depth. For their production, steel is used, which is degreased, phosphated and coated with enamel. This subtype of radiators is afraid of corrosion and its service life is very short.

Sectional steel batteries are very similar to cast iron ones, but their sections are connected by welding. They are very durable, however, their price negatively affects the popularity.

Tubular radiators are welded structures, the joints of which significantly reduce the likelihood of leakage. Their big disadvantage is the small thickness of the steel.

Bimetallic radiators, unlike aluminum ones, have steel elements inside the structure. This allows her to take on a fairly high level of pressure. The heating fluid in these radiators is completely isolated from the aluminum that is part of the product. The only drawback of bimetallic batteries is their very high price.

Bimetal radiator - durability and efficiency

There are also oil coolers. Such a heating battery has a sealed casing filled with mineral oil. This housing houses an electric heater

It is worth saying once again that it is not difficult to repair a radiator on your own. In this case, the most important thing is the availability of the necessary tools. The primary tool for repairing a radiator is a dedicated radiator wrench.

The most common malfunction is a radiator leak, which may be caused by a torn gasket. This defect is corrected by replacing the damaged structural element. It happens that a leak occurs as a result of the formation of a small hole in the battery. This hole can be cold welded.

Place of leakage of a cast iron battery

Happens when the problem is related to a malfunction of the tap, plug or lug. Then the battery is repaired in the same way - by replacing the worn out part. This is easy to do with your own hands, without resorting to outside help.

If any of the above happened, then the radiator repair begins with your own hands by draining the water. It is most convenient to carry out repair work outside the heating season, when the battery is cold, but you do not have to choose. Sometimes, after draining, a certain amount of liquid remains inside the radiator so that it does not fall on the floor, you just need to substitute a basin and the leak will not spoil the floor covering.

Tap for draining water from the heating system

Very often, repair work is made difficult by the fact that the plugs and fittings are not unscrewed. This situation occurs as a result of the "gluing" of these parts. In this case, it will be advisable to call a wizard who will solve this problem using an autogen. This, of course, costs money, but the described steps are indispensable.

Sometimes the repair of cast-iron radiators is, rather, their restoration, since the defect is damage to the appearance. You can fix this inconvenience with your own hands using paint, so the cost of repairing radiators of this type, in this case, directly depends on what kind of paint you are going to use.

Removing old paint from a battery

Batteries are painted only if the surface of the heater is cold. Before applying a new layer of paint, remove the old one, then thoroughly wash the battery and degrease its surface.

It happens that the only way to fix a radiator defect is to replace it. The battery must be dismantled when the heating is turned off so that the product is cold. The radiator is separated from the system using special means. Such work is urgent, especially in cold weather, otherwise you can be left without heating at all.

Replacing a radiator is easier but expensive

As for other types of batteries (aluminum, bimetallic, steel), their repair differs little. If the damage is not complicated, you can fix it yourself. Small leaks can be sealed with cold welding. It is quite simple to dismantle such structures, although two people are required to complete this task, at least.

Repair of oil radiators can also be done by hand, but here it must be borne in mind that the breakdown may concern the electric heater.

You can order the services of one of the firms specializing in the repair of radiators today both on the Internet, and by phone, and directly at the office of your chosen company.

Repair and manufacture of radiators is now carried out by many companies. Their pricing policy is different, as is the quality of products and services. Therefore, you need to choose very carefully, analyzing and calculating all the options. However, if we are talking about a minor malfunction, it is better to do all the repair work yourself, enjoying the process and saving money.Do-it-yourself repair of radiators is a responsible business (especially considering the high pressure under which the coolant is supplied), but quite feasible. If your experience is not enough for this, use our advice or consult with a qualified specialist.Very often, the owner of an apartment or house wants to repair the heating system with his own hands, without resorting to the help of third-party specialists. This may be due to both a simple desire to figure everything out on our own, and the need to save money.However, in both cases, the key word will be "understand". After all, you see, in order to do any operation with any element of the system, you need to have at least some minimal understanding of the essence of the upcoming repair.Heating system repairAnd repair, by the way, can be different ...Let us first deal with this point, talk about how heaters can be repaired, and then talk about what is important to pay attention to before starting work and during their implementation.In this case, the owner of an apartment or house will probably be able to do everything on his own, since prevention is basically such moments:

bringing the appearance of pipes and radiators in order. In most cases, you just need to clean and paint the metal and that's it;

Replacement of heating risers, old taps, plugs or other fittings. If the system is planned correctly, then the water supply to any of these parts can be shut off with a tap and the problem fitting can be replaced at this time;

flushing the system. But this is already more difficult work, since it will require more tools and skills. In fact, flushing consists in the fact that water is launched under pressure either into the entire system or into its individual elements, followed by draining. This removes debris inside radiators and pipes, scale, rust, etc.

It turns out that the prevention of the system, in principle, can be done with your own hands. But only in the case when there is a technical possibility, there is enough experience and knowledge, as well as a tool.Advice: if during the heating season you see that most of the fittings are leaking, rotted or rusted, then you should not postpone replacing them until spring or summer. Call the wizard to prevent a large-scale disaster in the system.Now let's deal with the second repair scenario.Installing new radiatorsIn the case of a major overhaul of the entire system as a whole, you can also do everything completely independently. And what is usually done is this:

old radiators are removed;

old pipes of the system are dismantled;

new pipes and batteries are selected and purchased, and then naturally assembled.

As you can see, the work is really quite understandable, and it would seem that there is nothing complicated. The tool can be bought or rented in order to save money, but if you need instructions for a certain stage of work, now this is not a problem - there are many articles and videos as on our website.However, there is one important point that is key and determines the efficiency of the heating system later - this is the choice of elements of the new system. After all, you must agree that if you buy unsuitable radiators or pipes, do not take into account the technical features of the object, then you can simply waste your money and, as a result, never provide the room with heat.Modern heating radiatorsBut if everything is more or less clear with pipes - now it is more convenient and profitable to use plastic or metal-plastic products, then with radiators it is not so simple. Because there are a lot of them on the market, their price is different, and the features, characteristics too.Let's take a look at what modern radiators are and how they differ from each other.It is important to understand that the information is given of a general nature, which means that in your particular case there may be some nuance, which will be the main criterion for making a decision to buy a particular type of radiator.That is, the fact that in one case there will be a lack of any batteries, in another situation, on the contrary, will not affect the work efficiency in any way.So, let's begin.Steel radiators are distinguished by a long service life, a high level of metal heating, low weight and a beautiful appearance. There are steel panel batteries in the middle price segment, which, in principle, allows everyone to purchase them.Rapid heating is possible due to the structure of the metal, and also because there is a small amount of water in the radiator, which will quickly heat up even an electric boiler.If we talk about the shortcomings, then, perhaps, we can highlight the rapid cooling of the radiators if the coolant supply stops.The next type.Modern cast iron radiatorsDespite the fact that this is one of the most expensive options, cast iron batteries are still in high demand. And this is not surprising, because in this case it is unlikely that the heaters will need to be repaired, since there is simply nothing to break in the cast-iron radiator.In addition, these batteries are beautiful, they are not afraid of rust, and also slowly cool down even if the walls of the building are not insulated.Of the minuses, perhaps, one can single out a lot of weight and a considerable amount of water in the sections. If the heating is central or is powered by a gas boiler, then this, in general, is not so scary. But in combination with an electric boiler, such batteries will be quite difficult to heat up.And a couple more options that exist on the market.Sectional aluminum batteriesThe peculiarity of such batteries is that you can add any number of sections, or vice versa - subtract them. The metal heats up very quickly and well, but it also cools down at about the same speed. Also, batteries are absolutely not afraid of corrosion.In addition, the appearance of sectional radiators has an interesting quality - versatility. This means the batteries will look great in almost any interior.As for the shortcomings, these are probably such moments as the high price and a large amount of water inside the sections.It turns out that buying such batteries is best for central heating systems or for systems with a gas boiler.

Photo 1. The foreman unscrews Mayevsky's tap on the radiator to drain the water and remove the airlock.

The pressure in a gas boiler can drop for the following reasons:

A leak appeared in some part of the system.
As long as there is air in the radiators or pipes, the pressure will drop. To solve this problem, you will have to dump water in the farthest section of the heating system. In this case, the coolant supply must be turned on.
Availability of new aluminum batteries - they are oxidized from the inside, which leads to a decrease in pressure.

Sometimes radiators remain cold because the liquid circulates poorly or does not circulate at all.

In heating systems, it is used two types of circulation: natural and forced.

If there are obstacles to the movement of water, the radiators will remain cold (the boiler is still running). The reasons for this are:

malfunction of the device for pumping liquid;
a large accumulation of gas in the circuit;
sagging after unsuccessful soldering (this often happens with propylene pipes);
rust build-up inside radiators or pipes;
freezing of the coolant.

If the elimination of minor flaws and malfunctions of the system did not help, you will have to contact the specialists.

Heat is distributed unevenly. Professionals calibrate the temperature using special instruments. They do this on their own by comparing the degree of heating of the batteries. Adjustment is made by taps. They fully open on the radiators farthest from the boiler, and less and less as they get closer to the boiler.

Trying to fix the problem yourself impossible. For repair work, the riser is turned off, they do it only specialists.

In summer, pipes and radiators break through during maintenance and system checks for performance.

Photo 2. The pipe, which gave a leak, may be caused by a water hammer. Leads to unpleasant consequences and significant damage.

The heating system in the apartment erupts due to:

water hammer (more often during the heating season);
crimping (during the summer check).

Both reasons accidents depend on the condition of the radiators and the heating system, the service organization is responsible for this. It is important to take measures that will make it possible to further demand compensation for damage from the guilty party.

A few steps will help get the management company to fork out and pay for the consequences of your negligence.

You need to call the dispatch service and place an application

The guilty party usually tries to evade payment, so if there is little damage, you can agree, for example, to repair the apartment at their expense.

If you refuse to pay compensation or if the proposals to agree are unprofitable, you will have to use the services of an appraiser and conduct an independent examination. With the received conclusion on the amount of damage a claim is filed in court.

Reference! When filing a statement of claim, the cost is added to the amount of damage services an independent expert and legal assistance.

Problems that may arise:

coolant leakage;
radiators do not heat up;
lack of normal movement of the coolant in the radiators.

The system starts up at maximum load and battery leaks become visible.

Having found weaknesses and fistulas, you can quickly fix them using:

Cold welding: the surface of the radiator is degreased and dried. A small piece of plastic composition is taken and kneaded between the fingers (a ball is obtained 20-25 mm).

Using a screwdriver, it is pressed onto the damaged area of the radiator. In this position, the ball is held 3-5 minutes. The composition hardens after 40 min., and the battery will be ready for operation only in a day. This material does not require subsequent bandaging or clamping.

Sealant: the leakage point is cleaned to metal, after which it is degreased with a solvent. A sealant is applied and tightly wrapped with a cloth or regular bandage.

If there is a fistula, then you can first carefully screw a suitable screw into it, then wipe it with a sealant. A clamp is put on the sealed place. The clamps should be located on the opposite side of the damage.

If the fistula is extensive, or there is an intense flow of coolant, it is better to call a master.

When leaks are regular it is worth thinking about replacing radiators.

In this case, the repair will depend on whether what material pipes made.

It is easy to find leaks on metal: paint will swell on the pipes, rust and drips will appear.

A sign of a leak is pressure drop - noticing this, you can start looking for damage. If the pipes are hidden, then it is possible to determine the location of the leak only with the help of a special device.

Photo 3. Rust on a metal pipe, such a problem often causes leaks.

At the points of connections and docking with the radiator, you will have to disassemble the mount and change the seal.
If the pipe leaks at the junction with the stop valves, you will have to replace it - such a leak indicates a high probability of its unusability.
If it flows on a smooth pipe section, a very simple and cheap method can be used. With a small leak, salt is poured onto the damaged area and rubbed in. If the damage is noticeable, salt with a bandage is used: the pipe is wrapped, before a new turn, the area of leakage is sprinkled with salt.

Then you need to wait, if the leak is closed, tighten the bolts a little more.

If there is no clamp at hand, wire is used.

But in most cases, such a measure is short-lived.

Important! The stores have special clips for this purpose. You can buy already ready-made bandages for pipes with a pre-installed seal.

More reliable and durable way: cut out the entire piece and weld on a new one (can be replaced with a piece of polypropylene pipe).
Lead chasing: a small piece of lead is carefully driven into the fistula. The place of damage is pre-cleaned. Tap until the lead completely fills the hole and grabs some space around it. You need to do it carefully.

It is difficult to find a leak on a polypropylene loop, as there will be no rust. Have to inspect each site carefully pipes.

After detection, turn off the heating and water supply, cut out the damaged piece and solder a new one. Small damages can simply be soldered, but this temporary measure.

Photo 4. A leak in a polypropylene pipe; to eliminate it, you can solder the damaged area.

If the pipe bursts near the fitting, it is better to replace it with it. When the leak is small, you can first try to tighten the connection to the maximum. Then loosen and apply the seal. If these manipulations did not help, you will have to change the fitting.

If a gas boiler is installed, then do not repair yourself. A defective gas appliance is source of danger.

Attention! The design is difficult even for professionals, so if a breakdown is detected - call specialists.

First you need to re-read the data sheet for the boiler: there is a list of problems that you can determine and fix yourself:

Overheating, in turn, means:

blockage in the heat exchanger - the boiler is de-energized, the heat exchanger is cleaned with a brush or vacuum cleaner;
blockage in the chimney - you need to clean the ventilation stroke.
flow from the column - connections inside the device are checked, problems found are eliminated.

You can undertake self-repair if the device is collapsible. But more often you have to contact a service center, since modern pumps, even simple and cheap ones, still rather complexly arranged.

You can fix several problems yourself:

The pump is running, but the impeller is not running. The device is disassembled, the rotor turns. If possible, oxidation is removed.
The pump does not start. A fuse may have blown. If it is not provided for by the design, you will have to buy a new pump.
The pump is making too much noise. Reason: air, with prolonged inclusion, idle work can go. To correct, air is bled from the heating system.
Interruptions in pump operation, spontaneous shutdown.
A layer of scale has formed on the inside, you can clean it yourself, the lid is cleaned.

After watching the video, you can familiarize yourself with the process of soldering polypropylene pipes for the purpose of repair.

If desired, with patience and work, it is possible to clean and even install new water pipes and radiators. But trying to repair a boiler or pump, relying only on intuition and not having the necessary knowledge - ineffective and dangerous.

Video (click to play).

It should be remembered that we are talking about devices, the operation of which is associated with high voltages and flammable substances. Reckless actions and excessive self-confidence can create an emergency in your own home.