Do-it-yourself chemical flushing of the heating system. Features of flushing the heating system: an overview of the best ways

In order for the heating system of a private house to serve for many years without reducing efficiency, it is necessary to periodically carry out maintenance activities. More precisely, preventive flushing of the heating system, equipment and radiators. It is a mistake to think that this applies only to networks of steel pipes, and copper or polymer pipelines do not need to be washed. The procedure is necessary and important for all types of individual systems from any materials, and this article will tell you how to implement it in practice.

The need for flushing and its frequency

In apartment buildings connected to centralized heating networks, flushing of heating systems should be carried out by public utilities or private services according to a special schedule in accordance with SNiP standards at least once a year. As for the private sector, people carry out this activity as needed.

Advice. It is much easier and cheaper to flush the heating system in a private house once a year, during the off-season, than to fix the problem in the form of deposits that half block the flow area of ​​the pipes.

If we take a city boiler house, then there the coolant constantly passes through the water treatment cycle. But due to the poor condition of these networks, it is again polluted and this is a real misfortune of our time, which is not so easy to deal with. But the owners of private houses, as a rule, fill the systems with ordinary tap water without any preparation. The maximum that can be is a filter at the water inlet to the house.

For this reason, the frequency of flushing of boiler heat exchangers, radiators and pipelines should also be carried out once a year. Otherwise, the salts contained in the water begin to react with the metal parts of the heat generator, batteries and pipes, causing their gradual destruction. The products of these reactions are deposited on the inner walls in the form of silt and scale.

Note. Various small impurities found in tap water usually do not cause much harm, since they are trapped by a strainer installed in the boiler piping circuit.

If the heating flush is not performed for a long time, then the deposits cause double harm, leading to a significant decrease in the efficiency of the system:

• the inner diameter of the pipes and their throughput are reduced. The hydraulic resistance increases and the lines cannot deliver the required amount of heat to the batteries.
• scale in the heat exchanger and heating radiators reduces their ability to transfer heat. The heat generator uses more energy to raise the process temperature and thus heat water or transfer heat to the room.

It should be noted that flushing pipes is the last thing a homeowner, puzzled by the problem, resorts to. Its first action, when there is a general decrease in the heat transfer of the system, is to raise the temperature of the coolant by turning the regulator on the boiler. Hence the increased fuel consumption.

Conclusion. If the above signs are found, flushing the heating system should be done immediately. And to avoid such situations, it is better to service it annually, it will be much cheaper.

How to flush the heating system?

You can perform this procedure in several ways, each of them has its own characteristics and conditions for the work. This is:

• simple flushing of the entire system with water;
• chemical cleaning;
• hydropneumatic washing.

The first 2 methods are available to every homeowner and do not require special costs, while the hydropneumatic method will require special flushing equipment. It includes a compressor and a device for pumping water into the system simultaneously with air. The process takes place under a pressure of 6 bar, the water-air mixture successfully and in a fairly short time cleans all internal surfaces from all kinds of deposits.

A method such as hydropneumatic flushing of the heating system is considered one of the best, the result is almost 100% guaranteed. There are two drawbacks, we have already mentioned the first of them, this is equipment. It is pointless to buy it, which means that you will have to rent or hire a specialized company. In any case, you are waiting for tangible financial costs.

After cleaning old systems from steel pipes, fistulas may be found in some places. Therefore, it is recommended to observe the system for some time after the system is put into operation. However, chemical washing using various acids or alkalis can lead to the same outcome. It is produced in two ways:

• a pumping station with a tank containing a chemically active flushing liquid is included in the break of the system (it is possible instead of a circulation pump). Forcing it to circulate throughout the system for a certain time, the station completely cleans the pipes from plaque;
• the system is filled with water containing a detergent, after which a predetermined period of time is maintained. Vinegar, caustic soda, or a commercially available flushing agent can be used as a cleaning agent. Then the dirty composition is drained, and ordinary water is driven through the pipes.

The disadvantage of using acids and alkalis is that the flushing liquid from the system cannot be drained into the domestic sewer, and in the process of work, safety measures must be taken when handling caustic substances. But the result is achieved quickly, and the cleaning is of high quality.

Attention! It should be remembered that the flushing of the boiler is carried out separately from the rest of the system, therefore, for the duration of the work, it must be disconnected and a temporary bypass installed.

The flushing method with ordinary water under pressure is just what is recommended for annual maintenance. There are still very few deposits on the walls, and if you remove the circulation pump and connect the supply and drain hose to the outlets, then most of them will be removed. The main thing is to supply water in the direction opposite to the flow of the coolant in order to wash the plaque in the hydraulic "pockets".

In this case, the flushing of the radiators and the boiler is carried out together with the pipelines, nothing needs to be disassembled. And in order to perform the operation better, before draining the coolant, you can add a cleaner for car radiators to the system and hold it for 15 minutes. There are also preventive compounds added to the coolant during operation. They must be used following the instructions on the packaging.

Conclusion

Timely flushing is the key to the reliable functioning of the heating of a private house. It is not necessary to bring to extreme measures with the use of pneumatic shocks or chemistry. By the way, it is recommended to select reagents according to the results of laboratory analyzes of the spent coolant, so as not to cause harm. This leads to a delay and increase in the cost of the procedure.

Cozy warmth in your home largely depends on the stable operation of the heating system. In this perspective, heating maintenance is a very important point.

One of the significant options for caring for a heating system is flushing pipelines and heating elements.

You may immediately have several reasonable questions:

Why flush the system?

Can this amount of work be done by hand?

What are the ways to flush the heating?

The purpose of this article will be detailed and exhaustive answers to the questions posed.

When flushing is needed

Cleaning the heating system will be needed if you notice the following signs during the heating operation:

The manifestation of at least one of these signs may indicate that the heating system is clogged.

Why pollution occurs

The problem of clogging of metal pipelines is rust. Accumulating inside the system, it prevents the free circulation of the coolant, and as a result, malfunctions appear in the work.

As for plastic pipes, they, of course, are not subject to rust, but, nevertheless, scale appears on their walls, which also contributes to malfunctions in the heating system.

One of the causes of pollution is also the quality of the water, which can contain various impurities that cause clogged pipes.

Thus, there are the following types of blockages:

• scale;
• rust;
• silty sand;
• trash.

How often to flush the heating system

Many people who take great care of their heating system are wondering how often to clean pipes.

There are two types of cleaning work:

1. The first flushing is carried out immediately after the installation of the heating system. This is due to the fact that during the heating equipment, various kinds of debris or oily contaminants could get inside the pipes. Therefore, the flushing procedure must be carried out until the water at the drain becomes absolutely clean.
2. Regular flushing in systems equipped with metal pipes is recommended to occur twice a year - before the start of the heating season and after it ends. For plastic pipelines, it is recommended to clean once a year - before the start of the heating season.

Knowing now the causes of pollution of heating systems, as well as the regularity of cleaning, the question involuntarily begs: is it possible to do the flushing yourself?

And we will give an affirmative answer to this: it is quite possible to do the cleaning of the heating system with your own hands. To do this, you just need to choose the best flushing option, which will be discussed later.

Washing methods

To date, it is customary to distinguish four technological methods for cleaning the heating system.

Chemical flush. This cleaning method allows you to remove 100% of system contaminants, with a minimum of effort. However, this cleaning method is only suitable for metal heating pipelines.

To perform chemical cleaning yourself, you must have the following tools and materials on hand:

• washing solution, which may include mineral or organic acids, as well as all kinds of solvents and alkalis;
• container for draining liquid;
• pump;
• hoses.

The procedure is carried out as follows:

• water is drained from the heating system;
• acid solution is poured;
• a special pump is connected to the system, which pumps the cleaning liquid throughout the heating circuit for several hours;
• the waste liquid is drained and clean water is pumped.

Important point: the used acid solution is strictly forbidden to drain into the sewer. If it is not possible to dispose of it yourself, then you can purchase special means of neutralization.

It is also worth remembering that it is not recommended to flush aluminum radiators with an acidic liquid, as irreparable damage can be done to them.

Hydrodynamic washing. This method of cleaning the heating system is carried out using special equipment, which includes thin hoses and special nozzles.

The principle of cleaning in this way is that water is supplied under pressure to a nozzle that generates thin jets of water. With the help of these jets, all grease, rust and scale are removed from the working area.

It should be noted that although this method of flushing pipes is quite effective, due to its high cost, it is used too little.

Pneumohydropulse flushing of the heating system. In order to perform this type of cleaning with your own hands, you will need:

The order of work consists of the following steps:

• water is drained from the system;
• a branch pipe is connected to the "return";
• the compressor is connected to the outlet, and we pump up the pressure to approximately 5 atmospheres. Strong pressure in the pipes leads to the fact that all kinds of pollution break off from the walls.
• we block the outlet pipe and disconnect the compressor, and connect the hose;
• we open the valve, and as a result, all contaminants come out under pressure.

It should be noted that for better cleaning, the pneumohydropulse procedure can be repeated several times.

You might also be interested in the features article.

Read an informative article about flushing a heating boiler from scale.

Watch a video that popularly explains the need to flush the heating system and the features of the relevant work:

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 the 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 it is important 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.

Before the start of the heating season, a trial run of the heating system should be carried out in order to make sure that it is in good condition in time. It is recommended to flush the system once every two to three years. To do this, it is necessary to drain the water from the system, and thoroughly rinse the pipelines and devices with fresh water under pressure. An even greater effect is achieved with hydropneumatic flushing, i.e., with the simultaneous supply of compressed air with water from a cylinder or compressor at a pressure of up to 6 kgf / cm2. Before flushing, the system is disconnected in two places - on the riser and the return line in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe boiler installation (the boiler is washed separately). By connecting a flexible hose from the water supply network to the riser through the fitting of the nozzle, they flush the system until clean water comes out of the return line, which is then discharged into the sewer. In hydropneumatic flushing, it is useful to first blow out the pipelines with compressed air to loosen sediments on the inner surface of the pipes, and then flush them with a mixture of water and air.

The method of chemical cleaning of the system is applied. For cleaning, in particular, a solution of inhibited hydrochloric acid is used. Special inhibitor substances are added to it to slow down the reaction with the metal.

During the cleaning process, the scale layer on the inner surfaces of pipes and appliances is etched away. After chemical cleaning, a thorough flushing of the system with tap water is required.

Safer than dry cleaning, and less technologically difficult to clean the system by leaching. A solution of soda ash is poured into the system for 10-20 hours, prepared at the rate of 20 g of soda per 1 liter of water. The solution is heated to operating temperature, kept for 10-20 hours. After cooling, the solution is drained from the system and the system is flushed using the countercurrent method, i.e. directing the flushing water flow in the direction opposite to the water circulation in heating mode.

After washing, the disassembled connections are restored and the system is slowly filled with water through the filling pipe so that there are no air pockets in the pipelines and devices. Cleaning the boiler is usually combined with flushing the heating system.

To remove scale, use a solution of inhibited hydrochloric acid or special electrical equipment in bulk

Means - antinakipin. electrical equipment wholesale
For such cleaning of the boiler, it is advisable to use a hydropneumatic
way. Compressed air is supplied to the boiler half-filled with solution through the return pipe. The solution, rising through the sections, loosens the scale, which is then removed through the lower opening in the frontal section, followed by washing the boiler first with a solution of caustic soda, and then with clean tap water.

A simpler and more convenient way to remove scale at home is leaching. For this, the boiler is filled with a solution of soda ash with the return valves closed, followed by boiling for 16-24 hours. After that, the solution is drained and sludge and dirt are removed through the lower opening in the frontal section and the boiler is thoroughly washed with tap water.

Some of us, no doubt, faced a rather unpleasant situation - a few months after the start of the heating system, it becomes noticeable that its efficiency is declining. According to the information provided by the engineers, the efficiency of the heating system may decrease by 10% by the end of the heating season. However, it should be noted that these data refer only to those systems in which water acts as a heat carrier. The question is quite logical - how to avoid a decrease in efficiency and how to flush the heating system? This is quite simple - it is necessary to periodically carry out such an event as flushing heating systems.

Flushing the heating system of a private house

Where does pollution come from in the heating system?

The source of most of the problems that arise during the operation of the heating system is the coolant - water. First of all, when moving hot water through pipes. Sometimes a chemical reaction begins with the material of the inner surface of the system. As a result - there is a usual scum. Another problem is the poor quality of the water in the system. The result is plaque and sediment from organic compounds, as well as banal rust. All this makes it necessary to carry out such an event as flushing the heating system of a private house.

It is the presence of these substances in the system, as well as their further settling on the walls, that leads to a decrease in the quality of heat transfer, necessitating such a process as flushing the heating of residential buildings.

It should be noted that if plaque (scale) accumulates on the inner surface of the system with a layer whose thickness exceeds 8-9 mm, this leads to a decrease in the efficiency of the heating system by more than 40%.

It should be borne in mind that the presence of sediment on the walls significantly increases the wear rate of the system, thereby reducing its service life.

Is there any scale in the system?

Of course, by the appearance of the heating system, even relatively new, it cannot be said whether there is plaque on the inner surface, and whether the heating system of a private house needs to be cleaned. However, it's pretty easy to find out. You just need to observe the operation of the system and perform a few simple steps. The main signs of plaque on the inner surface and the need for such a process as cleaning the heating system are:

• longer system warm-up;
• during operation, extraneous noise is heard from the boiler, which was not there before;
• the radiator is partially cold (top is hot, bottom is not);
• the radiator is completely cold, while the pipe connected to it is hot;
• if the boiler is electric, there is a significant increase in electricity consumption.

In addition, plaque often occurs in the heating system after an additional element has been connected to it (provided that the system has functioned before).

Methods for dealing with the problem

Thanks to modern technology, several very effective ways have been developed to deal with scale that has arisen in the system:

• Water-pulsing mixture. Such flushing of the heating system of a building requires special equipment. Through it, the system is filled with a combination of compressed air and water. As a result of active pulsation, all contaminants are “washed away” from the internal walls of the system. This cleaning of heating pipes is good because it allows you to quickly and efficiently clean the system from rust, plaque and sediment. As a result, it increases the efficiency, service life and heat transfer of the system, and also significantly reduces fuel or electricity consumption.

• Biopreparations. Fairly fast and practical flushing heating. Its peculiarity is that there is no need to turn off the heating. The principle of operation is simple - a special biologically active liquid is added to the system for flushing the heating system, which, circulating along with water, literally dissolves all precipitation, rust and scale. This method allows for a fairly short period of time to completely clean the system of contamination. It should be noted that the liquid used to flush the heating system is environmentally friendly and does not harm the internal surface of the system.

• Pneumohydraulic shock. A very practical cleaning of heating systems, used even for fairly old heating systems in which cast-iron radiators are involved. This cleaning of heating systems requires the connection to the system of special equipment, through which short but active pneumohydrowaves are created. It is they that contribute to the very rapid delamination of any amount of pollution from the walls of the system. You should not be afraid that as a result of this type of cleaning, the system itself will suffer. The fact is that the main impact force falls precisely on the coolant flow (98%). But the walls receive only a slight blow with a force of only 2% of the wave power - and it does not pose any threat to the system. According to experts who use this kind of heating cleaning, it is very effective when cleaning the heating system, the length of which does not exceed 55-60 meters. The diameter of the pipe is 4 inches. Flushing the heating pipes by means of a pneumatic hydraulic shock takes very little time - 5-50 minutes, while all deposits in the system are completely removed.

• Chemicals. It should be noted that in systems with a rather complex layout, it is not always possible to remove contaminants from individual, most inaccessible places. And if there are any in your heating system, then the most practical and convenient way to descale is to use a special chemical solution. Consisting of several types of acids, chemical flushing of the heating system is able to remove all contaminants from the heating system that prevent its normal operation in a short time. However, this method should be used with some caution. Chemical flushing of the heating system can directly damage the internal walls of the system. Therefore, before using it, it is recommended to assess the overall condition of the system (meaning - check the level of wear of the material). It is also important to check the chemical composition of the deposits - this will allow you to select the most effective acid compound, and the chemical cleaning of the heating system will be better.

The use of one or another method of cleaning the heating system largely depends on its condition, as well as on the degree of its contamination. In no case should you even try to think about how to clean the heating pipes yourself - almost all cleaning methods require special skills and knowledge. Therefore, to obtain the desired result, always invite a specialist who knows exactly how to clean heating pipes effectively. Then your heating system will last a really long time.