Flushing of boilers and heating systems - always warm and comfortable

No matter what gas or electric boiler is in your apartment or office, no matter what heating system heats your room, no matter how perfect and high-quality your appliances for maintaining comfort and climate are, they, unfortunately, are appliances, which means they are completely naturally can fail. Is it possible to avoid breakdowns and problems in the operation of hot water and heating equipment? Is it possible not to put up with problems, but to prevent and prevent them?
Yes! But for this you need to find professionals who will tell you what to do and recommend how to do it so that your boilers, columns, heating systems do not fail.
We are professionals in the market of hot water boilers and heating technology, we have many years of experience in installing boilers and their maintenance, and therefore we know what to recommend to you. We have all the necessary equipment for boiler maintenance so we know how to help you. We know that you need systematic boiler flushing and heating flushing so that your equipment is always ready for use. Let's take a closer look at when and why it is required flushing of boilers and heating systems.

Flushing boilers during installation

When installing the boiler, it is important to debug the supply of gas, electricity, water, so as not to have problems with the operation of the equipment, you need to debug the automation. All this is known and understood by every buyer. However, not many people know that when installing a gas or electric column or boiler, it is necessary to flush the boiler in order to remove factory dust, soot, and harmful compounds that may be unsafe for human health. Here, the boiler is flushed in several stages using alkali and repeated flushing. It is better to entrust this work to a specialist who knows the rules and standards of technology, and accordingly, will be able to prepare the equipment for operation, and you will be sure that your equipment will last a long time.

Flushing heating systems before the start of the heating season

The heating season requires special preparation. If during the summer you did not operate your equipment, then the corrosion process may begin in hollow metal pipes, which is why it is necessary to flush the heating, as well as flush the boilers that have not been operated for a certain period. We will prepare your heating system for the new season, which is included in the service of boilers and heating systems.

Flushing of heating systems as a measure for the prevention and removal of scale, rust, lime deposits
The water that is supplied to the system has a lot of lime impurities, and often sand, which is why periodic flushing of boilers, boilers, columns is required. Professionals will carry out a comprehensive flushing of systems, pipes, coils, tanks, which will ensure uninterrupted operation of the equipment.

Types of flushing boilers and heating
We suggest you flush the boiler and heating in the following ways:
- chemical. In this case, the effect on blockages is carried out primarily with chemicals, and then flushing with water is carried out. The method is suitable for any boilers and heating systems.
- hydrodynamic. Boiler flushing carried out using special equipment that creates a stream of water under pressure. This method is effective, but more expensive, because a special technique is used.

Is it possible to do the flushing of heating boilers on my own?
In order to flush the boiler and flush the heating yourself, you need to have skills and experience, because you want to extend the life of your heating equipment. You can periodically flush yourself with chemicals that you can buy from us. However, even in this case, you will need to diagnose the boiler at least once a year. We will help your heating technology to withstand any test.

Heating flushing fluid, heat exchanger cleaning

There is nothing eternal, and this statement is entirely true for heating systems (CO) of any complexity and configuration. The root cause of this phenomenon, most often, is the clogging of pipes and elements of the heating circuit with solid-crystalline, corrosive or oil-mud deposits. There are many ways to remove contaminants from the internal surfaces of the pipeline, among which the hydrodynamic method is most often used (cleaning from plaque with a powerful pressure of water). This cleaning method is quite simple and relatively inexpensive, therefore it has been used for many decades in the housing and communal services system.

Hydrodynamic cleaning involves the creation of high pressure in CO, which makes its use impossible in a number of cases. The problem is solved by flushing the system using special chemical and microbiological agents, which will be discussed in this publication.

The need for CO flushing and its frequency

As you know, cleaning the heating system is performed in two cases: when it is already clogged, or so that it does not clog. In other words: flushing the heating system can be preventive (scheduled) or according to certain indicators, the signs of which are:

• Increase in hydraulic resistance.
• Repair or replacement of CO elements.

But, the main criterion for flushing the heating system is a decrease in the efficiency of heat transfer. The frequency of flushing centralized SS of private and apartment buildings is regulated by SNiP 3.05.01-85 (once every 12 months).

Important! The frequency of flushing autonomous heating systems is not regulated. Cleaning is carried out as needed, independently or with the involvement of licensed specialists.

Method of CO chemical washing

The essence of this technology is to introduce an acidic or alkaline reagent (depending on the type of pollution) into the CO, which dissolves or softens the plaque formed inside the pipes. Pollution is removed from the CO by the flow of water. The process of carrying out measures to clean the heating system is as follows:

1. Reagent selection. This stage is very important and depends on the type of pollution, the current state of the pipeline, the material from which the heating circuit and radiators are made.
2. Installation and connection of equipment.
3. Introduction of the reagent solution into the coolant circulating in CO. An autonomous pumping station maintains the circulation of chemicals through. The indicator of the end of the chemical flushing process is a clean filter in the pump coolant filtration system. It usually takes 8 to 22 hours for the dissolution and removal of solid crystalline contaminants (scale).

Tip: When using acidic reagents, the process of solution performance is controlled by the PH level. After increasing the pH of the composition to 7, it is necessary to drain the solution and continue cleaning with a fresh composition. Cleaning the system usually continues until the acidity of the solution stops changing.

1. Removal of contaminated solution from the heating circuit and repeated flushing of CO with corrosion inhibitors. This stage is necessary to protect the internal surfaces from corrosion after chemical exposure to the reagent.
2. Removing the solution from CO.
3. Dismantling of equipment and filling CO with coolant.

Important! It should be understood that when using chemicals, thinning of the pipeline walls occurs. That is why it is not recommended to use chemical flushing of the heating system more than once every 3 years.

Advantages and disadvantages of this technology

Chemical treatment makes it possible to remove almost all types of solid-crystalline and corrosive contaminants from CO. In addition, this technique has the following advantages:

• Easy to carry out washing procedure.
• Fast cleaning effect with chemical reagents.
• It does not require stopping the heating system and can be carried out even in winter.
• High quality cleaning.

Despite a lot of advantages, this method has very obvious disadvantages and limitations.

• Alkaline and acid solutions cannot be used in CO with aluminum radiators.
• The toxicity of the compounds.
• Quite a high estimate for flushing the heating system by chemical means.

Another not obvious, but still a disadvantage is the problem with the disposal of the solution, which cannot be drained into the sewer system. In addition, you should be prepared for the appearance of smudges that did not exist before or that you forgot about. Some leaks self-repair over time due to the fact that the hole through which the coolant oozed gradually became “overgrown” with lime deposits. Chemical compounds will dissolve and wash this "plug", and the flow will resume again. It is quite possible that after chemical washing it will be necessary to repair or change leaky pipe fragments, couplings, fittings.

Tip: The remains of a solution with high acidity are neutralized with soda. Only after that the composition can be drained into the sewer.

Chemicals for self-flushing of CO

Today, the Russian climate technology market offers the widest range of ready-made solutions and concentrates for chemical flushing of heating systems of various configurations. Among the most requested:

Tip: to improve the washing process with a high percentage of organic contamination, it is necessary to use the DEOXYL-HO additive. To reduce foaming during flushing, experts recommend additionally using the FORAL-PG additive.

During the operation of heating and hot water supply systems, due to salts and oxygen dissolved in water, corrosion-scale deposits gradually form on internal surfaces, especially on the walls of the boiler. This causes a significant decrease in the efficiency of the entire system as a whole, leads to excessive fuel consumption and reduces the resource and reliability of the equipment.
These problems can be eliminated with the DIXIS LUX heating system flushing liquid, an aqueous solution of which is intended for chemical cleaning of heat exchange surfaces made of ferrous metals, stainless steels and copper alloys, which will ensure the restoration of effective heat transfer.
Recommendations for use:
1. Drain the waste coolant and flush the system with clean water.
2. Prepare a working solution at the rate of 10 liters of "DIXIS LUX" - concentrate for 90 liters. water. It is advisable to use softened or rain water.
3. Fill the system with the prepared solution and flush it at a temperature of 60-70°C for 2.5 hours, providing communication with the atmosphere to release the released carbon dioxide.
4. Drain the used solution into the sewer and flush the system with clean water.
5. Prepare the required amount of neutralizing solution at the rate of 1 liter. "DIXIS LUX" - converter for 99 liters. water.
6. Fill the system with the prepared solution and flush it at a temperature of 60-70°C for 45 minutes, ensuring communication with the atmosphere.
Chemical cleaning with the DIXIS LUX heating system flushing agent takes place under milder conditions than when cleaning with mineral acids.
Due to the balanced formulation of the agent, carbonate deposits are quickly loosened and converted into a soluble state (which eliminates the formation of suspension and precipitation in the washing solution), and the metal surface is covered with a protective film that prevents the process of acid corrosion.
DIXIS LUX heating system flushing liquid is an aqueous concentrated solution of a mixture of organic acids, a complexone, a surfactant and an acid corrosion inhibitor. Does not contain inorganic acids.
Working solution: 10% aqueous solution of concentrated liquid for flushing the DIXIS LUX heating system. For 100 l of the system, one 10 l canister of liquid is used to flush the DIXIS LUX heating system.
During cleaning with DIXIS LUX heating system flushing liquid, metal etching and destruction of rubber gaskets do not occur.
Liquid for flushing the heating system DIXIS LUX allows cleaning of heat exchange surfaces in 1-3 stages with deposits up to 1000 g/m2, which provides:
restoration of efficient heat transfer;
protection of heating elements and walls of boilers from overheating;
saving gas, diesel fuel, solid fuel and electricity;
increasing the resource and reliability of heat engineering equipment.
Manufactured by highly qualified specialists on modern equipment with 100% output control.
The quality and effectiveness of the DIXIS LUX heating system flushing liquid has been confirmed by the successful long-term practice of cleaning various heat engineering systems from scale and corrosion products.
Supplied as a concentrate complete with residual acid neutralizer.

Over time, various contaminants appear in the heating system, which settle on the walls, reducing their conditional passage. It leads to , as well as to disruption of circulation, the speed of the coolant decreases. Pollution of the batteries and the boiler greatly reduces their efficiency. To bring the circuit into proper form, it must be cleaned. In today's article, we will tell you which liquid is used to flush the heating, as well as how the process itself goes.

Types of liquids for flushing heating

Heating flushing liquid

To clean the heating system of all kinds of dirt and scale, use a different liquid for flushing the heating. At the same time, the washing equipment is also different, because each composition has different characteristics. To begin with, let's look at what types of pollution are found in the heating circuit:

• carbonate-calcium deposits;
• iron oxide deposits;
• scale;
• waste products of aerobic bacteria;
• ordinary trash.

If we approach the issue in a generalized way, then we can distinguish two categories of liquids for flushing the heating system:

• ordinary water;
• chemical compounds.

In turn, chemistry is also different. It can be acid or alkali. Both of these fluids for flushing the heating system have a common name - reagents. The difference between alkali and acid is obvious. Alkalis are more gentle on pollution and the materials from which the circuit is made, acid, in turn, corrodes everything, even pipes. Yes, if the pipes are corroded from the inside, but this is not visible from the outside, then after using acidic reagents that corrode rust, a coolant leak may occur. make them resistant to acids.

Alkaline boiler flushes are mainly used to clean membranes, while acidic agents are used to clean heat exchangers and pipes.

Tellingly, the liquid for flushing heating radiators is selected depending on the material from which they are made. The choice of acids is quite wide:

• acetic;
• salt;
• formic;
• orthophosphoric;
• lemon.

That's what settles in the radiators

Ordinary acid-containing household products, such as Silit, are also used, but this is if you need to rinse the battery or boiler heat exchanger. In the case of the entire circuit, this will not be very profitable, since Silit, which includes phosphoric acid, will cost more than just a concentrate. If you approach flushing heating with acids with all seriousness, sometimes excessive, then before the procedure you need to do a water analysis. It will show which impurities predominate in the coolant. Based on this, it will be possible to select the necessary flushing fluid.

It is not necessarily one of the above acids. Most likely, you will need to either mix several ingredients, or rinse with different compositions in turn. Usually such difficulties are unnecessary and the masters are washed with what they are sure of. Use already proven liquid for cleaning heating systems. Different plumbers have their own, as well as their favorite flushing methods.

Acid and alkaline reagents are sold in three types:

• powder;
• concentrate;
• finished composition.

The powder, like the concentrate, is diluted with water, in the proportion indicated on the package. The finished composition does not need to be diluted. The composition of the reagents for flushing the heating system includes:

• active substance (acid or alkali);
• inhibitors that prevent corrosion;
• surfactants (surfactants).

Surfactants have detergent properties. They not only separate impurities, but also hold them, preventing them from settling inside the circuit. The special composition of the reagent does not affect the rubber seals.

How to wash with water

Water by itself will not clean the system in any way if no chemicals are added to it. After all, water always circulates around the circuit.

To clean the heating system with water, special equipment is required.

The principle of operation of water treatment plants is different. There are several types of such methods:

• pneumatic cleaning;
• impulse cleaning.

Pneumatic cleaning of the heating system is that water is supplied under pressure to the pipes. A jet under pressure knocks contaminants off the walls. Then it merges, and the process is repeated until, after the next filling, clean liquid flows out of the circuit. First, the flow is directed from the supply side, and then from the return side. This approach allows you to more thoroughly flush the heating system.

Impulse cleaning of the heating circuit lies in the fact that the fluid for flushing the heating system is not only supplied under pressure, it also pulsates. In order to create impulses, a special gun is connected to the compressor. It abruptly opens and closes the fluid supply. The speed of such pulses reaches more than a thousand meters per second. The pulsation of the liquid separates the contaminants from the walls layer by layer. The procedure is repeated until clean water. After washing, carry out using the same pumps that were used in the cleaning process.

How to wash with chemicals

A vivid example of how badly a pipe can become clogged

The technology for flushing the circuit with chemicals is simple. All you need is a pump. Using a pump, the heating system flushing fluid is pumped into the circuit and circulated for several hours. After that, the tool is removed from the system. Nothing complicated, all the work is done by chemistry.

To flush the boiler heat exchanger, the heater will have to be disassembled and then poured into the composition. After a few hours, the chemistry drains. The question arises how to determine that the system has already been flushed. There are several options here:

• the first is, of course, the experience of a plumber;
• the second is special additives in the reagent.

Such additives are not available in all products, of course, their presence affects the price. When the liquid enters the circuit, it begins to interact with pollution, the process is accompanied by foaming. When the solution stops foaming, washing can be completed. Some products form a protective film on the inner surface of the pipes.

When cleaning the system with chemicals, toxic, dangerous gases for humans are released - chlorine and nitrogen.

Some other manufacturers provide a color indication that shows the chemical activity of the reagent. When the solution begins to work, it may change color, which means a lack of concentration. By following the instructions on the packaging, you can determine by color when more reagent needs to be added to the circuit.

Chemical reagents are quite aggressive, which creates difficulties after they have been used. In order for the waste chemistry to be drained into the sewer, manufacturers add special additives to it, which make the composition biodegradable. If such additives are not provided, then after use, a neutralizing liquid must be added to the reagent and only after that the composition should be drained into the sewer.

Summarizing

There are two types of liquid for flushing the heating system - water and chemistry (acid or alkali). Water cleans the circuit due to pressure or impulses, and chemistry due to its active substances. To clean the system with water, more sophisticated equipment is required. Modern chemicals do not harm pipes and heat exchangers, they do not destroy rubber seals. Additives are added to chemistry, which visually show the degree of activity of the substance. Even in household products, such as Silit, there is phosphoric acid, which can be used to clean the batteries and the boiler heat exchanger.

During the operation of the heating system, sooner or later a situation arises when scale forms in the pipes, various kinds of deposits on the inner surface, the diameter narrows due to the stuck pieces of debris or scale. As a rule, this situation occurs in systems where water is used as a heat carrier. Basically, a not very purified coolant is used to heat houses - pebbles, pieces of rust, scale can come across in it. In addition, water contains various chemical formations - they settle on the inner walls of pipes under the influence of high temperatures.

In such cases, it is necessary to flush the heating system. As practice shows, scale 2 mm thick reduces the efficiency of the heating system by 48%.

Flushing is a standard service procedure that must be performed periodically - otherwise, you cannot avoid a significant decrease in the efficiency of the heating system, an increase in energy costs and the destruction of sections of the highway.

If in an apartment building such work is performed by employees of special services, then in a private house the owners have to take care of such things themselves.

Flushing the heating system during installation

When installing the heating system of a private house, it is necessary to check all the elements of the main line for the absence of small construction waste in them. After installation, it is necessary to rinse with water - we do not use any reagents:

• We start up a strong pressure of cold water and leave it for 2 hours - this way we remove small foreign particles from the circuit.
• We start up the maximum pressure of hot water - it washes out various oil formations.

Then a similar procedure must be performed after 3 months and regularly repeated annually.

After stopping the heating main for the summer period, it is recommended not to drain the water - otherwise, all foreign formations inside the circuit will harden and it will be impossible to remove them. In addition, sealed connections may dry out and start leaking when the heating system is restarted.

Signs of scale inside the heating circuit

We can determine that scale has formed inside the pipes by the following signs:

• A noticeable decrease in the efficiency of space heating.
• Extraneous noise during operation of the equipment.
• Radiators warm up either only from above, or only from below.
• A significant increase in the consumption of energy resources - electricity, gas, solid fuel.

All of the above symptoms indicate that it is time to flush the line. For its implementation, you can use equipment for flushing heating systems, as well as special reagents - a means for dissolving and destroying scale and rust.

This method requires a special setup. The device fills the line with a mixture of compressed air and water. This creates a fine pulsation, which removes rust, scale and lime deposits from the inner surface of the circuit. Such an installation very effectively cleans the main from all foreign formations, as a result of which the heating efficiency of the house increases and energy costs are reduced.

Biological reagents - an effective means for flushing the circuit

It is possible to perform such flushing without stopping the operation of the line - biological reagents are added to the heat-carrying liquid, which, dissolving in it, circulate along the circuit and wash out rust and scale.

This tool is advantageous in that no special apparatus is needed here, we do not stop the operation of the system, in addition, this is a very environmentally friendly method that does not destroy the inner surface of the pipes and does not pollute the environment.

Chemical reagents for flushing the heating line

Chemical flushing is also a very effective means of cleaning the circuit from foreign formations. Chemical washing is a liquid containing reagents in the form of various acids. It is used in complex circuits, where there are many hard-to-reach places. A liquid of this kind very successfully copes with all types of pollution, but you should read its composition very carefully before use. It must be compatible with the material from which the circuit is made - otherwise its use may cause the destruction of pipes.

Pneumatic shock method

Another method that requires a special apparatus is the method of pneumohydraulic shock. It lies in the fact that the hydraulic installation is connected to the line and creates pneumatic hydrowaves. The main impact force is transferred to the coolant - approximately 98%, the remaining 2% - to the walls of the system. Under the influence of these waves, all scale and rust fall off the inner walls of the pipes. This method is quite safe and applicable to any type of circuit, even very old ones.

Conclusion

Flushing the heating mains in a private house is a mandatory service related procedure. It must be carried out periodically in order to avoid a decrease in the efficiency of the system, an increase in energy consumption, as well as the destruction of the line due to critical contamination with rust and scale.

The owners of private houses must independently control the degree of pollution of the circuit and take care of the timely completion of all service work.

Any heating system is designed and calculated under normal operating conditions. To be more precise, we mean the good condition and correct operation of all its sections, devices, nodes. In practice, quite often there is a gradual decrease in heating efficiency at a seemingly maintained temperature regime of boiler equipment. Most often, the reason for such phenomena is that the clogging of the internal cavities of pipes and heat exchange devices of the heating system disrupts the normal circulation of the coolant.

Completely eliminating the overgrowth of pipes, radiators and heat exchangers is an extremely difficult, almost impossible task. So, it is necessary to take a set of measures for regular prevention. In particular, the heating system of a residential building should be flushed at regular intervals. When and how this is done will be discussed in the proposed publication.

What is the importance of flushing the heating system?

Conditions when deposits on the walls of pipes, radiators prevent the normal circulation of the coolant, when the normal permeability of the heat exchanger of boiler equipment is disturbed, can signal homeowners with a number of symptoms.

• Clearly uneven heating of the battery sections - the temperature in one of its areas differs significantly from other areas. If it's not an airlock (which is quite easy to check if there is a Mayevsky crane), then it remains to look for a serious blockage.

• The symptom may be more obvious - very hot supply pipes and a barely warm (if not completely cold) radiator.
• There is clearly not enough heat in the premises of a house or apartment, although the autonomous one works optimally. Or the time to create a comfortable microclimate began to take much more.
• The operation of the system began to be accompanied by unusual noise. This is especially true of the heating boiler, although the previously absent sounds of the flow of water in pipes and radiators are often heard.
• The owners notice a significant increase in the cost of the energy carrier on which the autonomous system operates. Owners of electric boilers will feel this especially quickly.

All these signs may indicate that the channels of the heating system in some areas have lost their normal throughput. And preventive intervention is required before the problem worsens. Ignoring the symptoms of a clogged system may well result in the need for a much larger repair, sometimes even with the replacement of expensive equipment.

Why might this happen? There are many reasons for this:

• First of all, corrosion contributes to this. Flakes of oxidized metal come off the surfaces of the walls of pipes or other heating elements and are carried by the flow. And in an amused system, there will always be vulnerabilities in which the probability of settling such insoluble particles increases significantly. Especially old central heating systems suffer from this “disease”.
• By itself, the coolant may not be clean enough even at the stage of filling the system or its replenishment - it may contain solid suspensions. Of course, it should be filtered, but there are as many facts of an irresponsible attitude in this matter as you want.

• Even seemingly clean, that is, mechanically purified water may well cause deposits. A higher concentration of salts dissolved in it leads to the formation of insoluble plaque, narrowing the channels and even capable of completely clogging the boiler heat exchangers. Ideally, water should go through a cycle of special preparation, but this is far from being observed everywhere.
• Solid suspensions may remain after the installation of the circuit - slag from piling, fragments of seals, etc.

Particularly vulnerable to clogging are:

Radiators with a large internal volume (for example, old cast iron). The flow rate for the light expansion of space in them is sharply reduced, and insoluble particles settle to the bottom, accumulating and clogging the lower collector.

Sections of turns, connecting nodes, taps and other locking and adjusting devices

Heat exchangers - due to the pronouncedly small diameter channels for the passage of the coolant.

If we talk about straight pipe sections, then VGP steel pipes due to the insufficiently smooth inner surface of the walls. Corrosion of the metal gradually increases the roughness, further helping to retain any insoluble debris.

You might be interested in knowing which one is right for you.

Overgrowth of pipe channels increases the overall hydraulic resistance of the system, increases the load on pumping equipment. The thickening of the walls with hard limescale drastically reduces normal heat transfer, which immediately affects the efficiency of the system. And if the boiler heat exchanger overgrows, there is only one step left until it burns out completely with the need for subsequent expensive repairs.

By the way, the owners of houses or apartments with an autonomous heating system should keep in mind one more, rather extraordinary danger.

The action of bacteria cannot be ruled out - such a reason is infrequent, but still occurs in systems with low-temperature operating modes (40 ÷ 60 degrees, which is typical, for example, for "warm floors"). A closed water environment, without access to oxygen, sometimes becomes very favorable for the appearance and rapid development of legionella colonies. Not only that, because of this, frequent airing of the system occurs with the formation of traffic jams. The resulting dark mucus, like liquid silt-like mud, can clog the screens of installed filters. The air discharged through the valves has an extremely unpleasant hydrogen sulfide smell, which in itself reduces the level of living comfort. And the ingress of these bacteria into the respiratory tract of a person can lead to the development of severe chronic diseases.

True, this problem is “treated” by raising the temperature to 70 degrees - it is fatal for legionella. Naturally, such a hot coolant cannot be supplied to the "warm floor" circuits - the mixing units must work properly in order to prevent such heating. But if, for preventive purposes, the increased heating of the boiler is left for several hours, the entire volume of the coolant will sooner or later pass through the heat exchanger of the boiler, and the entire colony will die. In general, it would be useful to carry out such "roasting" of the system from time to time - in order to prevent a relapse.

You may be interested in information about what characteristics are guaranteed

When and by whom is it necessary to flush the heating system

Here - not everything is clear. First of all, it depends on whether the homeowners use an autonomous heating system or are connected to the central one.

Flushing of common systems in apartment buildings

First of all, it should be correctly understood that none of the residents of an apartment building are simply not able to flush the system on their own. Yes, no one will allow him this, will not open access to the equipment of the heat point or to the shut-off valves of the heating risers.

The only thing that the owner of the apartment can do on his own (and even then - with reservations) is to flush the heating radiator, if there is reason to believe that the reason for its poor heating lies precisely in the blockage. But the dismantling of the radiator is possible only if it is separated from the supply pipes by reliable stopcocks (valves). And provided that its shutdown (removal) will not affect the performance of the entire riser as a whole, that is, the circulation of the coolant through the riser will not be interrupted.

An example of how a radiator is flushed will be shown below in the relevant section.

But without flushing the entire riser, such a measure seems clearly insufficient. Therefore, in the event that the state of the in-house system does not provide normal heating of the premises, residents have the right not to buy electric heaters, but to require the management company to take preventive measures to bring the heating operation to standard indicators.

You may be interested in information about what is

Carrying out flushing of intra-house networks is directly included in the list of mandatory measures for the maintenance of heating systems. These are not empty words - they are based on the current legislative documents, which should be appealed in case the management company fails to fulfill its obligations. And there are plenty of cases when, in one way or another, employees of these companies seek to either relieve themselves of the obligation to carry out such events, or to evade responsibility for their failure to carry out - as many as you like.

So, it is worthwhile to thoroughly understand this legislative framework - this information can be very useful for residents of apartment buildings.

The full title of this document is "On approval of the Rules and norms for the technical operation of the housing stock" . It covers in some detail, including issues on the proper operation of heating systems, in particular, those related to their flushing.

What points should be paid special attention to (in order not to accidentally "misrepresent" the information, it is better to give it full-fledged quotes).

Article 2.6. "Preparation of the housing stock for seasonal operation"

2.6.4. The schedule for preparing the housing stock and its engineering equipment for operation in winter conditions is drawn up the owner of the housing stock or the organization for its maintenance and approved by local governments based on the results of the spring inspection and shortcomings identified over the past period.

2.6.5. Preparation for winter (conducting hydraulic tests, repairs, verification and adjustment) is subject to the whole range of devices that ensure uninterrupted heat supply to apartments (boiler rooms, house networks, group and local heating points in houses, heating and ventilation systems).

2.6.13. During the summer period, the following work should be carried out:

b) for heating networks - system flushing , revision of fittings, elimination of permanent and periodic clogging of channels, restoration of destroyed or replacement of insufficient thermal insulation of pipes in chambers, underground channels and basements (technical undergrounds);

d) for heating and hot water supply systems - revision of taps and other shut-off valves of expanders and air collectors, restoration of destroyed or replacement of insufficient thermal insulation of pipes in stairwells, basements, attics, and in the niches of sanitary facilities. In the presence of non-heating of the radiators, they should be hydropneumatically flushed . Upon completion of all repair work, the entire complex of heat supply devices is subject to operational adjustment during a test fire;

But that's not all. Section V is devoted to the maintenance and repair of engineering equipment. And here, too, you can get useful information - what is included in the list of such works.

Article 5.2 "Central heating"

5.2.1. The operation of the central heating system of residential buildings should ensure:

• maintaining the optimal (not below the permissible) air temperature in heated rooms;
• maintaining the temperature of the water entering and returning from the heating system in accordance with the schedule for the quality control of the water temperature in the heating system;
• uniform heating of all heating devices;
• maintaining the required pressure (not higher than that allowed for heating appliances) in the supply and return pipelines of the system ...

5.2.10. Flushing of heat consumption systems produced annually after the end of the heating period, as well as installation, overhaul, maintenance with the replacement of pipes (in open systems, systems must also be disinfected before commissioning).

Systems are flushed with water in quantities exceeding the calculated flow rate of the coolant by 3-5 times, while complete clarification of the water should be achieved. When carrying out hydropneumatic flushing, the flow rate of the air mixture should not exceed 3-5 times the calculated flow rate of the coolant.

For flushing, tap or process water is used.

Connecting systems that have not been flushed , and in open systems, flushing and disinfection, not allowed .

It would seem - everything is clear, and should not cause any objections. But, alas, they are kept by some legal employees of management companies. The meaning of the excuse is often that the Decree of the Gosstroy is an internal document, and its implementation is not mandatory. Although, judging by the above paragraph 2.6.4. this is not entirely true.

Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of April 3, 2013 No. 290.

Well, if the situation is like this, then there is another document for this case that already has the force of law. We are talking about Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of April 3, 2013 No. 290. And he has a very eloquent name - "On the minimum list of services and works necessary to ensure the proper maintenance of common property in an apartment building, and the procedure for their provision and implementation" .

Pay attention to the keyword “minimum list of services”. That is, a wider range of services is quite acceptable, but it is not given to anyone to reduce without permission.

Chapter II. Works necessary for the proper maintenance of equipment and engineering systems that are part of the common property in an apartment building.

19 . Works performed for the proper maintenance of heat supply systems (heating, hot water supply) in apartment buildings:

• strength and density tests (hydraulic tests) of input units and heating systems, flushing and adjustment of heating systems ;

• carrying out trial commissioning works (trial furnaces);

• removal of air from the heating system;

• flushing of centralized heat supply systems to remove scale and corrosion deposits .

• cleaning of heat exchange equipment to remove scale and corrosion deposits .

They may object - the timing and frequency of such work are not indicated. There are also clarifications on this point in the decision. In the section, in fact, the Rules for the provision of services, it says the following:

5. The frequency of the provision of services and performance of works provided for by the list of services and works is determined taking into account the requirements established by the legislation of the Russian Federation. By decision of the owners of premises in an apartment building, a more frequent frequency of rendering services and performing work may be established than is provided for by the legislation of the Russian Federation.

This means that with less frequency than is established by the legislative act of the State Construction Committee, that is, the approved rules for the operation of residential buildings (which were given above), work is not allowed. More often - please, if it is decided by the owners of residential premises.

GOST R 56501-2015

But the legislative framework is not limited to this either - negligent employees of management companies can be "pinned to the wall" and GOST, which determines the volume and quality of services provided. The document is fresh - entered into force on January 3, 2016.

The topic of flushing heating systems also appears in it.

GOST R 56501-2015 “Services of housing and communal services and management of apartment buildings. Services for the maintenance of intra-house heating systems, heating and hot water supply of apartment buildings. General requirements".

Art. 5.15 Organization of seasonal work, including preparation for the heating season

Before the end of the heating season, the contractor draws up and coordinates with the resource supplying organization a schedule for seasonal and repair work, including flushing, leak testing (pressure testing) and conservation of the heat supply system during the non-heating season.

The Contractor ensures that the work is performed in accordance with the approved schedule. Based on the results of the work, acts are drawn up.

The “executor” in this document means a legal entity that provides management services for an apartment building. That is, at the end of the heating season, the management company should draw up schedules for all preventive and repair work, including flushing the heating system.

You might be interested in knowing what is

Art. 6.1.8 Hydraulic test and flushing of the heating system

At the end of the heating season, as well as upon completion of repair work, the heat supply system or its parts are tested.

Tests of the heating system must be carried out according to the technological schemes in compliance with the safety precautions for the work. Before testing is carried out flushing the heating system .

flushing heating systems during the preparation of apartment buildings for winter should be carried out in the manner prescribed in the operating instructions.

The water pressure in the pipelines during flushing should not be higher than the working one, and the air pressure should not exceed 0.6 MPa (6 kgf / cm 3). The water velocity during flushing must exceed the calculated coolant velocity by 0.5 m/s or more.

Flushing is carried out until the complete clarification of the flushing water at the outlet of the heating system drains.

After washing the system must immediately be filled with coolant or water that has passed through water treatment. Keep the heating system empty not allowed .

If desired, you can find other documents, for example, SNiP, which will also spell out the need for regular flushing of heating systems. But what is listed above is already more than enough to boldly demand that the management company perform this procedure with proper quality. As you can see, flushing should be carried out at least annually, and in case of repair work or non-compliance with heating standards for heating radiators, even more often, until the system is back to normal.

But for high-quality flushing, the management company has the right to conclude agreements with a specialized organization that has a staff of qualified specialists, “armed” with the equipment necessary for these purposes. Naturally, taking into account the rating of such companies and the cost of the services they provide.

Perhaps, to organize the flushing of the heating system, you will need

Flushing an autonomous system in a private house

But the obligation to flush the heating system in a private house, of course, lies entirely with its owner. And the frequency of such an operation is also determined only by him.

And, by the way, it would be appropriate to immediately make one remark. If you “walk” through construction forums on the Internet, you can be sure that the following opinion prevails on this score: it is undesirable to get involved in flushing if the system is working well, and there are no symptoms of clogging of pipes, radiators or boiler heat exchanger. Some members of the forum express themselves figuratively, according to the folk - “you shouldn’t scratch where it doesn’t itch”, you can make it worse.

Indeed, if there are no signs of blockages, and the heat transfer of the radiators is normal, why “disturb” the system and change the coolant? The water poured into the circuit has long been freed from the air dissolved in it, everything that could react with the metal in it has already reacted a long time ago. Dirt or chemical impurities from outside, as is the case in central systems, cannot be brought in.

Some owners say - they say the water is unclean, dark. Sorry, but this is not an argument. Do not drink water from heating, and darkening is usually a phenomenon if, for example, steel heating pipes are laid and "classic" cast-iron radiators are used. But it has not lost its heat capacity, and it copes well with its main task - the transfer of heat from the boiler to the batteries.

But a “fresh portion” of water will bring with it a high concentration of oxygen, dissolved salts, or even other chemically active substances, which can negatively affect the general condition of the system. According to the personal experience of the author of these lines, the water in the system has not changed for at least five years (with metal pipes, a gas boiler AOGV-11.6, cast-iron radiators and an open expansion tank). And so far, there are no visible prerequisites for the need to flush and replace the coolant. The only periodic action is to check the fill level and, if necessary, replenish, but even then - very little.

Judging by the recommendations on the forums, even if it became necessary to flush the system (or its separate section), then you should not part with the drained coolant. Water can be collected in containers, filtered if necessary, and then, after washing, reused to fill the circuits. In any case, there will be no outbreak of corrosion activity and other negative chemical processes.

Some features, of course, can be in heating systems in which electrode boilers are installed. For the correct operation of these devices, a balanced chemical composition of the coolant is required, capable of creating the required ionic medium for heating. It is even recommended here to check the quality of the coolant annually and, if necessary, replace it. Naturally, before replacing, flushing will suggest itself. But these are particulars, somewhat "falling out" of the overall picture.

But if the need to flush the autonomous system is obvious, then it is still better to invite specialists with the appropriate professional equipment to carry out this operation. There are, of course, some techniques that you can apply on your own, but they are not always effective if the clogging of the system has gone too far.

Prices for solutions for flushing heating systems

for flushing heating systems

Existing methods of flushing heating systems.

Depending on the degree of contamination of the heating system, various methods of flushing it can be used. Most of them require special qualifications of workers and the use of special equipment. Some are also available for self-fulfillment, if the contamination of the system has not gone too far.

Conventional mechanical flushing of the system

One of the easiest and most affordable ways. True, its effectiveness is manifested only with minor pollution - it is unlikely to cope with solid old deposits on the walls of pipes or radiators. Such flushing will not help with overgrowth of the boiler heat exchanger.

The bottom line is to connect hoses to the system (or a certain area temporarily disconnected from the general circuit), water pressure is supplied through one of the ready-made ones, and through the second, this flushing water is drained while simultaneously monitoring its purity. To create pressure, a pump is connected, and when flushing on their own, many owners even use the pressure of the plumbing system.

Various points in the system can be used to connect hose fittings. These can be welded-in pipes with drain and subscription taps, pipes for installing instrumentation, and other technological plugged holes. Including - radiator manifolds, after removing the plugs from them and screwing in the plugs with fittings.

Very often, with this technique, heating radiators are generally pre-dismantled and washed individually. And the shut-off valves remaining on the supply pipes are very well suited for connecting pressure hoses. In this case, the system can be divided into sections - the quality of flushing will only benefit from this.

Hydropneumatic flushing

Hydropneumatic flushing is in general similar to purely hydraulic flushing, but shows much more noticeable results. The fundamental difference is that, together with the pressure of water, a stream of compressed air is supplied with the help of a connected compressor.

A mixture of water and air, such a kind of emulsion, passing under high pressure through the pipes, very effectively washes away even quite serious growths and pollution. Radiators are also well cleaned, including cast iron ones, in which accumulation of caked dirt in the lower manifold is often observed.

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Hydro-pneumatic impulse washing

This cleaning is usually used in areas of severe local contamination of the contours or in the most vulnerable areas prone to complete overgrowth. The meaning of flushing is that with the help of special equipment - an air gun, powerful shock impulses are created with a high propagation velocity, up to 1300 m / s. Such a “shock wave” very effectively removes even old corrosion deposits, breaks through traffic jams, etc.

Subsequently, the section treated in this way is subjected to normal washing until the desired purity of the washing water passing through it is achieved. After that, the site can be reconnected to the common circuit and put into operation.

One of the advantages of this approach is the possibility of flushing only certain sections of the system without completely emptying it and, if necessary, even without decommissioning.

The disadvantages include the need for special equipment, the availability of skills to work with it (with an unskilled approach, you can seriously damage the circuit). The length of the area that can be cleaned in this way is usually small, and depends on the specific model of the air gun, on the type and diameter of the pipes.

Chemical flush

Owners of private houses resort to this technology quite often. The use of chemical components that can dissolve or soften deposits on the walls of pipes and radiators eliminates the need for complex equipment. The most acceptable chemical washing is also for boiler heat exchangers.

In any case, the chemical treatment of the system will require subsequent normal flushing with clean water.

Chemical flushing can be performed in different ways. For example, a chemical reagent in the required amount is simply added to the coolant of the circuit, after which it circulates there during normal heating operation (that is, when the boiler is running). After a certain time (this also depends on the volume of the system, on the type and degree of contamination of the circuit, on the reagent used), the coolant is drained, while capturing a significant part of the deposits. A subsequent rinse with water completes the cycle.

Another option requires a set of special equipment - a pump with a set of hoses and containers for supplying a chemical reagent, for draining "working out" and for the possibility of organizing a small circle of circulation.

Thus, it is possible to close the flushing circuit in any individual section of the system that requires treatment. A very valuable quality, especially for regular maintenance of boiler heat exchangers.

There are a lot of compositions for chemical washing of boilers on sale - the choice is made in accordance with the characteristics of the system and the degree of its contamination. For example, reagents of the Sillit line, a special reagent designed to remove rust and lime deposits BWT CP 5008, a liquid for gentle and effective cleaning of AQUAMAX ERP1 heat exchangers and other compounds are very popular.

Prices for reagent BWT СР 508

BWT СР 508 reagent

Many of this composition have the properties of not only dissolving contaminants, but also, to a certain extent, restoring the metal surface of pipe walls and other parts of the system, giving them additional anti-corrosion qualities.

However, owners of private houses often find cheaper options for flushing their systems. Thus, a solution of citric acid, caustic soda, vinegar, and other available acids, for example, orthophosphoric or phosphoric, are used as reagents. In the course is even whey. It is clear that such washings will be effective only if severe blockages are not observed, and only preventive intervention is required.

The chemical washing method has many advantages. But it also has some significant drawbacks.

• An incorrectly selected or diluted reagent in violation of the instructions can sometimes do more harm than good. So, after chemical washings, a system leak can be observed, moreover, in several places at once. Therefore, the recommendations of the manufacturer of the formulations should in no case be neglected.
• Chemical flushing is not allowed in systems with aluminum radiators, due to the high reactivity of this metal. There are, however, special reagents intended for such systems - special attention should be paid to this when purchasing the composition.
• Almost always there is a question about the disposal of the spent reagent. Many of them are strictly forbidden to be discharged into the public sewer or into the drainage system.

Video: an example of a chemical flushing of a heating system

Professionals use some other methods of flushing systems. For example, and the use of hydrodynamic heads, which provide an accentuated effect of water jets with high pressure on the pipe walls. Moving a hose with such a head in the cavity of the pipe allows you to almost completely clean it of any contaminants.

There is also a modern electro-hydro-impulse washing technology, which perfectly fuses with petrified limescale. It is clear that it also requires special equipment.

By the way, when a team of professionals is engaged in servicing the heating system, not just one, but a whole range of possible and necessary flushing technologies is usually used. For example, hydropneumatic or hydrodynamic cleaning may be preceded by a chemical treatment of the circuit. Many sets of equipment are immediately and designed for the possibility of using several approaches, depending on specific conditions.

You may be interested in information about what kind of insulation and technical characteristics

How to flush cast iron radiators MC140

Cast iron radiators are especially susceptible to blockages. The reason has already been explained - due to their large volume, the liquid flow slows down sharply and insoluble suspensions settle to the bottom and walls, initially forming a silty coating, which hardens over time and creates dense plugs.

Sometimes apartment residents, tired of demanding high-quality flushing from the management company, including radiators (and this is included in the list of services), almost agree to replace the batteries. but they can be put in order even on their own.

Naturally, it is better to dismantle the radiators for this, having previously turned off the taps on the supply pipes. Flushing work is best done on the street or in a utility building, where it will be possible to create a pressure of water for flushing (this can even be a simple street tap). In extreme cases, you can also flush at home, for example, in the bathroom, but for this you will have to take steps to protect, firstly, the sewer from clogging - you need to install a grate on the drain hole of the bathroom. And secondly, to prevent accidental damage to the enamel coating of the bath, that is, it will need to be covered with a rather thick layer of unnecessary rags.

Illustration	Brief description of the operations performed
	A group of old MC140 cast-iron radiators was dismantled. The reason is clearly reduced heat transfer. The way out is to flush to return them to their former performance.
	The case, by the way, is very neglected, as evidenced by the condition of the pipes leading to the radiators. The lumen of the pipe is more than half overgrown. In radiators, the picture is no better. It’s just that the owners decided to change the circuit completely, with the installation of new pipes, and restore the radiators to working condition.
	Since it was decided to give cast-iron batteries a new life, it makes sense to work a little before washing them for their preliminary mechanical cleaning. All plugs are twisted from radiators. The cavities under the plugs, if they are heavily clogged with dirt, can be mechanically cleaned with a piece of fittings - it is still necessary to “plow the way” for the flushing solution. And the necks themselves - holes for plugs - should be thoroughly cleaned with a metal brush with brass bristles.
	Such an operation cleans the threads of these sockets well from dirt, from traces of corrosion, and from the remnants of old sealing windings.
	It even makes sense to install a brush attachment with a metal bristle on a grinder or a drill and clean the end pads on the flange protrusions at the inlet necks. This will ensure a good seal of the gasket later on when the plugs are put in place.
	The next step on one side of the radiator, both the upper and lower manifolds are muffled with impassable plugs. Plugs must be properly packed to prevent leakage during the flushing period. On the cleaned thread of the sockets, this will be easy to do. After that, the radiator is placed so that both open entrances to the collectors are at the top. Since there is a washing step ahead, this should be a suitable place for such purposes.
	A caustic soda solution will be used for flushing. It copes well with the vast majority of possible contamination of cast iron batteries. In addition, the solution does not require any special disposal - it is not forbidden to drain it into the ordinary sewer. The recommended consumption of soda is 200 grams per 10 liters of water. The measured amount is poured into a container ...
	... and then filled with the right amount of hot water. Stir until complete dissolution of crystalline soda. You can blame the master, who demonstrates the process, that he neglects personal protective equipment. Caustic soda is quite capable of leaving rather sensitive chemical burns on the skin. So it’s better to work with gloves, and it doesn’t fit to protect your eyes from accidental splashes with glasses.
	Now it is necessary to fill the standing radiator with the resulting solution to the eyeballs. As a funnel, you can use a plastic bottle with a cut bottom - its neck fits perfectly into the radiator neck.
	The caustic solution is poured into the battery without much haste, so that no air bubbles remain and the liquid completely fills the entire cavity.
	Filling is literally to the eyeballs. It is clear that the same picture should be on the second radiator neck. In this form, the battery is left so that the caustic does its job - it softens all the pollution as much as possible. The term may be different. Some argue that one or two hours is enough. But if the pollution is serious, and even more so - there is nowhere to rush, then it is better to leave it for a day - it will definitely not be worse from this.
	Having withstood the "chemistry" for the scheduled time, you can proceed to the final flush. To do this, they often use a regular hose connected to a water tap - even this pressure is usually enough. When the batteries are washed in apartment conditions, sometimes they even get by with a flexible shower hose, having previously twisted a watering can from it. But the best result will be obtained, of course, if the water is supplied at a higher pressure. For example, the radiator will be perfectly flushed if you find the possibility of using a high-pressure mini-washer. The spent caustic solution is drained, the radiator turns to its "regular" position. Water under pressure is supplied to the open neck of the upper collector.
	With the beginning of flushing, whole lumps of dirt may come out of the lower neck. But gradually all this "swamp" will be washed away, and the water will begin to brighten. Rinsing is carried out until clean water begins to flow from the neck. For a guaranteed result, it is recommended to turn the radiator over, and also flush in the opposite direction.

Flushed radiators after the required packing of all plugs, in accordance with the connection diagram, can be installed back into the circuit, filled, tested and put into operation. And they will serve for a very long time.

What water to fill the system after flushing?

So, the system is washed out, and its filling is to be done. What coolant is better to use for this?

It is clear that such a problem will not be faced by the owners of apartments connected to central heating - nothing depends on them there. But homeowners can think about this issue. And there are different recommendations in this regard.

• There are supporters of the use of exclusively distilled water. Yes, it does not contain hardness salts, and indeed no other impurities. The disadvantage is that you have to pay for it, although the cost does not look completely unaffordable. In addition, there is still nowhere to get away from oxygen dissolved in water, that is, at first, it will still exhibit corrosive activity.

• As mentioned above, there are many supporters of collecting it in a container after draining the water from the system, letting it settle additionally, filtering it from small debris, and then reusing it. Water has almost lost all its chemical activity, and will be harmless to pipes, radiators, heat exchangers.
• If you have to use tap or well (borehole) water, then it is advisable to pre-prepare it. And the volume of such preparation largely depends on the chemical composition of the water.

Water with a high content of hardness salts should be passed through a softening filter or an ion exchange column. The entire volume of water must be allowed to settle - many dissolved gases (including chlorine and hydrogen sulfide) will come out of it, and the processes of oxidation of dissolved iron will go through. In any case, after settling, the water will become “healthier” for the heating system.

• There are many tips to collect rainwater, as it is the softest and does not give lime scale. Barrels installed under downspouts can solve this problem. True, in such water all kinds of pathogenic microflora can already actively develop, so it is desirable to disinfect it just in case.

Some owners solve the issue of the purity of the water being poured by its usual boiling.

• Finally, no one bothers to use a special coolant - antifreeze, which is especially important if the house is often left unattended in winter. The composition of such antifreeze fluids often includes special additives that protect the metal parts of the system from corrosion.

True, the cost of such antifreezes is quite high. In addition, the thermal performance is much worse than that of ordinary water.

You may be interested in information about what are

* * * * * * *

If water is not poured directly from the water supply, then it is advisable for the owners to know in advance the volume of their heating system in order to prepare the required amount of coolant.

And there are several ways to find out. For example, during test filling from a water supply system, check the readings of a water meter. Or, conversely, when emptying the system, drain water from some measuring containers.

And you can also carry out a mathematical calculation, taking into account all the devices, devices, pipes included in the system. This is not as difficult as it might seem - the calculator below will help. The only remark is that the expansion tank is not taken into account in the calculator. Simply because the tank is usually selected based on the total volume of the system. So adding the capacity of the tank to the result will not be difficult.

The maintenance of heating systems in apartments should be supervised by management companies. Residents of their own home have to perform maintenance on their own. Actual preventive maintenance and repair should 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 the entire heating system. It begins with cleaning the contours of pipes and heating devices from pollution.

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

For the optimal functioning of the heating system, the movement of the coolant through the heating system should not interfere with anything. There are several signs of clogging of the heating system and the accumulation of a large amount of debris in it, and the accumulation of scale on the walls of the pipes. There are no obvious and visual signs of contamination of the system. You can diagnose the system with a careful examination of the operation of the heating system and the appearance of a number of signs.

We single out 4 main signs of pipe pollution, namely:

• Warming up the system takes longer than usual;
• The boiler works with the appearance of incomprehensible sounds;
• The consumption of electricity or gas has increased;
• Different temperatures in the 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. It could be airing the system. In this case, it is enough to bleed the air intake through the bleed valve.

In those houses where a central heating system is connected, flushing should be carried out by employees of heat supply organizations and invited masters. But no one can give a 100% guarantee that the cleaning and the system was carried out on a full scale. Too many factors go into 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, flushing of pipes must be carried out once a year. This is the building code. Such a period is critical for the accumulation of dirt in the pipes, which clearly reduces the heating efficiency.

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

With sometimes inside the pipes and radiators of the central heating system of multi-storey buildings, deposits of salts, scale, rust and sand are formed. Such formation affects the material from which the heating system is made, and makes the pressure of passage in the pipes much smaller. And this can lead to a rupture of the system 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 seep to the neighbors from below and it is no longer possible to do without compensation or repairs.

If you do not take into account such a disaster, clogging of pipes and radiators entails many negative consequences.

The negative consequences of clogging radiators and tinder heating systems are:

1. With the formation of layers of dirt in the pipe, the strength of the mechanical type of the heating system decreases.
2. Obviously, the friction of water along the inner walls of the pipes and the radiator increases, and this significantly reduces the fluid flow rate.
3. The wall thickness increases and this reduces the inner diameter of the pipe, and this reduces the heat transfer from the pipes and the radiator. The temperature of the liquid also decreases, as it undergoes thermal resistance.
4. The formation of scale in the system increases the need for fuel for heating, which means an increase in utility bills.

To clean the internal surface of the system from deposits, it is necessary to carry out preventive work. Prevention can be done in a variety of 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 way is flushing and pressing the heating system, and this must be done regularly.

To carry out preventive maintenance of pipes and radiators of the heating system is available to everyone, in contrast to improving the quality of the coolant.

Chemical fluid for flushing the heating system

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

Using for cleaning non-galvanized pipes, such a tool is not effective and can lead to the detection of new leaks and new lesions.

Most of the pollution settles on the bottom of pipes, radiators, furnace heat exchangers or boilers. In order to fully clean the entire area, a special cleaning liquid is used instead of water and is pumped through the entire system with a pump. After that, the flushing liquid is drained and repressurization is done, and then water is poured into the system and put into use.

Do-it-yourself washing batteries in a private house is a little easier than in an apartment building. In order to clean the installation, there are different ways. For example, cleaning can be done with citric acid, this option is perfect for polypropylene pipes, and rust from metal pipelines will disappear instantly. Flushing is also used for underfloor heating, unless of course it depends on the installation of batteries. Here, hydrodynamic flushing will become ideal, which makes it possible to clean even the most distant corners. Of course, the work can be done independently, but it is better to entrust it to KOSGU.

How to flush the heating system with your own hands

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

Such an option as chemical washing involves the use of a solution of an alkaline substance, solvents, organic substances and minerals. The device for flushing is necessary: ​​a hose, a pump, a reservoir for draining the liquid.

Flushing must be done in the following order:

• We drain all the water from the heating system;
• Pour a special solution;
• We connect the pump for pumping the system for about 2 hours;
• We drain the liquid with the reagent;
• We flush the system with plain water.

This method shows a 100 percent cleaning rate, but it can only be used in iron heating systems. If the system has the presence of aluminum elements, then such flushing can damage them. And therefore, before using reagents, you need to consult an expert or carefully study the contraindications to using a cleaner.

Precautions in using such a chemical heating system cleaner:

• Before working with such a solvent, rubber gloves must be worn;
• 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 drain the cleaner after cleaning into the toilet or into the garden, and you can buy a special tool for disposal.

Be sure to consider all these points when working with a chemical type of substance.

How to properly flush heating (video)

Flushing 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 for this, then our instructions indicated in the article will definitely come in handy in your future work. Be sure to follow all the recommendations.

Has yours ceased to function fully and is no longer as efficient as before, warming the home? The reason is simple: the pipes are clogged with scale, rust and other deposits, which hindered the circulation and heat transfer of water. But there is no need to despair because of such a diagnosis, because high-quality flushing can save the equipment. Do it really even with your own hands. In order for you to accurately cope with the task and return the heating system of your private house to its former efficiency, we will understand the four most effective types of flushing: with and without equipment disassembly.

Flushing with battery removal

First, consider the most difficult way to flush the heating system - with an analysis of its components. The work is carried out in several stages:

• Drain all water from the heating system.
• Unscrew the radiator from the piping and remove it.

Advice. If the fixing sleeve does not come out as standard, heat it with a cutter.

• Visually assess the condition of the battery and, if necessary, pre-clean it mechanically.
• Take the radiator outside. Turn the device upside down and close its bottom opening.
• Fill the battery up to the stop with water and open the bottom hole: the liquid will flow out of the device along with dirt particles. Repeat the procedure until clean water comes out of the battery.

It is very important to clarify one interesting point here: why does the radiator need to be turned upside down? The fact is that hot water moves through the radiator in one, correct direction, leaving behind scale in the form of small scales, and by turning the device over, you run liquid into it in the opposite direction, thereby helping it effectively eliminate scaly deposits.

Flushing with battery removal

After flushing, connect the radiator back to the pipes and start the heating system.

Unfortunately, practice shows that even with all its complexity, this washing method is not always effective. That is why cleaning methods that do not involve disassembly of equipment are actively used today. Let's get acquainted with three of them.

Chemical flushing without dismantling the system

This method of cleaning the heating system is based on the use of special chemicals. It can be such active substances:

• alkaline solution;
• phosphoric or orthophosphoric acid;
• vinegar;
• caustic soda;
• special formulations.

First, the selected substance is poured into the heating circuit. Further, using a special pump, the reagent is circulated directly in the system for several hours - usually up to four. If you use store-bought formulations, the recommended circulation time is indicated on the packaging - it is important to follow it so as not to deform the internal coating of the battery. After completion of the procedure, it is necessary to drain the reagent, rinse and pressure test the heating system - and only after that it can be put into operation.

Take into account the fact that chemical compositions are not suitable for washing non-galvanized steel batteries and pipes that have been used for several decades - this is simply unprofitable from an economic point of view: active reagents in the process of cleaning the system can not only dissolve rust, but also provoke the appearance new leaks in old equipment.

Another way to maintain the heating system that does not require disassembly of the equipment is hydropneumatic flushing. This method has been used for several decades and involves breaking up contaminants using a pneumatic pump.

The flushing principle is as follows: the heating circuit is started to be discharged into the sewer system, and in parallel, compressed air is supplied to the water stream at high power, which destroys rust, scale and other contaminants. At the same time, it must be installed on the pipeline without fail - it will protect against ingress of flushing water into the pump.

Hydropneumatic system flushing

Step-by-step scheme of hydropneumatic flushing:

1. Fill the heating system with water and close the valve.
2. Close the drain pipe.
3. Connect the pump to the second branch pipe of the system.
4. When the pump pressure reaches 0.6 MPa, start the compressed air supply - one procedure should last up to 15 minutes.
5. Flush all the risers one by one with an air-water mixture, draining the liquid through the drain cock. Flush the system until the outlet water is clear.
6. Discard residual water.
7. Start the heating system and perform a one-time reset.
8. Refill the system.

Pneumatic and electrohydropulse flushing

Speaking about the methods of flushing the heating system, one cannot fail to mention two more common methods - pneumatic and electrohydropulse.

Pneumohydropulse washing involves the use of a special pneumatic gun or other impulse device: the device creates multiple impulses, through which contaminants are introduced from the system. This method provides spot flushing of heating equipment.

Electrohydropulse washing is based on the use of energy released by an electric charge: first, an electric impulse enters the system through one end of the coaxial cable of a special device, and then a strong charge is formed at the second end of the cable, the shock wave of which quickly destroys pollution. Most effectively, such a wave fights scale. Upon completion of cleaning, the dirt is washed out with running water. At the same time, peculiar microexplosions do not deform the pipes and batteries themselves - they only affect deposits.

As you can see, it is absolutely realistic to improve the functionality of heating equipment in a private house with your own hands. To your attention, four effective ways to flush the system at once - if you clean it regularly and taking into account all the recommendations, you are guaranteed to be able to improve the quality of heating your home and extend the life of the heaters.

Flushing the heating system: video

How to flush the heating system: photo

Heating systems perform a restorative function, helping to restore the original performance and heat transfer characteristics of the pipeline, boiler and batteries.

Background of the problem

The reason for the decrease in the efficiency of heating equipment is banal and simple: the water circulating in pipes and radiators contains impurities. Therefore, various dense deposits settle on the walls of hollow products, elements of boiler equipment after a long service life, reducing the thermal conductivity of the system several times. As a result, the temperature in the living quarters drops.

Photo 1: Only with the help of the latest equipment and effective chemistry can the heating system be freed from deposits formed inside

In order for the heating to work as it should in winter and the heated house to be warm and comfortable, you should take care of cleaning the systems before the start of the heating season. These measures will also help save money intended for heating.

The most effective method for eliminating scale in pipes is treatment with special reagents.

How to choose a liquid for flushing the heating system

When choosing a flushing product, professionals urge to be guided by a number of criteria.

1. The heating system flushing fluid may contain either acidic or alkaline components. The former are activated as quickly as possible, but interaction with them requires extreme caution - there is a risk of damage to washed items and damage to health. The latter are safer, but not as efficient in operation. To achieve a positive result, you will have to spend a lot of time.

Photo 2: Only qualified personnel are allowed to service and operate the system flushing equipment.

1. It is preferable to choose a product with an anti-corrosion effect. If the flushing liquid is not provided with this function, it will be necessary to additionally treat the system with a special substance with inhibitors and passivators that prevent the corrosion process from starting.
2. Before using, and better before purchasing the selected product, you should make sure that it is suitable for the material from which the pipes and other elements of the heating system are made. If this is neglected, you can damage the equipment and spend a lot of money on its replacement.

In what form are the reagents for sale

Flushing the heating with chemicals will help keep the system in order. Experts say that this kind of prevention should be organized annually. Chemical reagents for flushing heating equipment are available in three types:

1. concentrate - before use, it is diluted with water in proportions according to the manufacturer's instructions;
2. powder - in the same way to be diluted with water;
3. finished composition.

Rules for Disposal of Flushing Products

By adding special components to the preparations, after washing, it is allowed to drain into the general sewer. This fluid is biodegradable. If the reagent does not contain biodegradable additives, then a neutralizer must be added to it.

Photo 3: Use only safe reagents to flush heating systems

Popular means for flushing the heating system

To prevent clogging of pipes and batteries, experts in the field recommend the use of safe flushing chemistry. Today, the domestic market sells such solutions and concentrates that are able to flush heating systems of any configuration.