Expansion tanks for hot water supply (DHW). Choosing a tank for hot water in the bath

It is impossible to imagine a bath without water. And if the issue with the appearance cold water is solved by summing up the centralized water supply, then with the production of hot liquid everything is somewhat more complicated. To solve the problem of hot water supply allows the use of storage tanks.

Purpose

The water tank is a reservoir designed to organize hot water supply. Regardless of the type and volume, it has a hole for cold water, as well as shut-off and distribution valves for hot water.

Despite the variety of electric and gas heating devices, the water tank does not give up its position. Its use allows you to save electricity and gas consumption. In addition, the tank remains the only device for heating water if there are interruptions in electricity or the gas in the cylinders runs out.

Hot water in the bath is used mainly for washing after the steam room. Moreover, it is necessary for household needs, washing. Finally, hot water in the steam room serves in an additional way heat up the room hot steam so beneficial to health.

Types

There are the following main types of bath tanks.

built-in

In this case, the water tank is installed at the bottom of the furnace, and is combined with the firebox from above. The peculiarity of the tank is that its bottom is in direct contact with the fire, due to which a high rate of heating of water and a long preservation of temperature are achieved. The intake of hot liquid is made from the top of the tank or through the built-in tap.

The direct contact of the tank with the fire imposes special requirements on its design. It must be heat-resistant, not subject to deformation, with thick walls. Its size is determined by the dimensions of the heater. The inconvenience is that the efficiency of the latter is reduced, since most of the heat is spent on heating the tank.

remote

The remote model is mounted outside the steam room - in the washing room, dressing room. Such tanks are usually mounted on a furnace with a heat exchanger and connected to it by means of brass or copper pipes.

The principle of operation of the design is based on the fact that cold water goes down and enters the heat exchanger, while hot water, on the contrary, rises and enters the tank.

The advantage of the design is reliability and long-term preservation of high water temperature. The disadvantage is the heating of the walls of the tank, which can cause a burn.

On the pipe

If hot water is needed throughout the day, then a tank on a pipe will be optimal. Heating of water, and rather operational, is carried out at the expense of thermal energy. smoke temperature in chimney is about 500 degrees C, so heating occurs quickly.

The design on the chimney is characterized by overall dimensions and high rates heat capacity. Its use prevents the risk of leakage of carbon monoxide gases emitted during the operation of the furnace, since surrounding the pipe, the water tank becomes its protection.

The most common is the samovar type model, which is equipped with a single or double fitting. May have different capacity and appearance.

Tanks on a pipe, in turn, can have the following types.

Tank built into the pipe

In this design, the chimney pipe is located inside the tank and is fixed, mounted when organizing the chimney. The tank has the shape of a rectangle or a cylinder. At the same time, it is important that the lower entrance of the pipe has high-quality sealing. Otherwise, tank leakage cannot be avoided. Water in this design flows by gravity directly into the washing or intermediate bowl.

Suspension

It is a kind of removable structure on the chimney column, so it can be attached to an already installed chimney. The tank is placed close to the pipe, securely fixing it. Availability on back wall the capacity of the gutter, repeating the shape and diameter of the chimney, will provide better fixation and a tight fit of the tank to the pipe.

The disadvantage is the risk of burns when using this system. In addition, if the tank is small, the water in it begins to boil, which is unacceptable in a tank of any type. Boiling can be prevented by periodically draining hot water and then adding cold water to the container. It is more convenient to do this with a drain tap hot water.

The tank on the pipe can be mounted at different heights. The simplest method is to install the container directly on the oven. The advantage is easier installation, no need to purchase special brackets, almost unlimited choice of tank volume. However, due to the low location of the device, it cannot be combined with a shower.

For small steam rooms, you can choose a hinged corner option, the use of which does not clutter up the room. As a rule, such tanks have a horizontal arrangement. Horizontal tank the shape is usually oval, resembling a barrel.

Installation on a chimney column requires special fasteners. The volume of the tank is limited, but this design makes it possible to supply hot water to the shower.

For big companies(that is, if you need a large amount of hot water), you should think about installing the tank in the attic. Ceiling ceilings will become a reliable basis for the tank, so the choice of its volume is very wide.

The main thing is to take care of the reliable thermal insulation of the attic, otherwise the heat loss will be enormous.

Attached

There is also an attached tank that does not require piping. Outwardly, it is a "canister" with a faucet, which is simply attached to the wall of the furnace. Such a device has not received wide distribution due to the low efficiency. The water in the "canister" heats up slowly and unevenly: it is stronger at the points of contact with the stove.

If the stove is in the corner of the steam room, then one side of it is the furnace part, the second remains free for an attached container. It turns out that the place where the water comes out of the tap is inconvenient. True, the use of a pump allows you to correct the situation.

Devices of this type are equipped with a removable lid or neck with a diameter of at least 10 cm. The second option is more common. Despite the fact that the neck makes it difficult to clean the container, this design is more reliable.

Tanks are delivered ready-made, may have various forms and dimensions. The best option is a stainless steel tank. The available version is galvanized steel analogues, which, however, have a shorter service life.

For baths of a large area, equipped with powerful stoves, an expansion tank is recommended. Its feature is the ability to compensate for excessive pressure in heating system, which is always inevitable when the water temperature rises. In fact, this is a standard large-volume storage tank with the function of maintaining optimal water pressure.

Depending on the method of heating the tank, the following types are distinguished:

• heating from the oven;
• use of heating elements.

The choice of a specific option depends on the volume of the tank and the features of the bath procedures being carried out.

If the bath is intended for 1-3 people and, accordingly, the tank is of a small volume, you can use containers with a heating element. This will avoid the situation when the bath is already quite warm and comfortable, but the water has not yet warmed up, and therefore you have to waste fuel and wait for the water to heat up.

For large companies, as well as lovers of long bath procedures, containers heated from the stove are usually recommended. While you are steaming, it manages to warm up a large volume of water - just for 4-7 people or more (depending on the type of device).

materials

Such characteristics of the tank as reliability and durability, the rate of heating and cooling of water are largely determined by the material of the tank.

Among the most popular are tanks made of the following materials.

Stainless steel

The material is characterized by strength, resistance to mechanical stress and deformation, high temperatures. Environmental friendliness and corrosion resistance are also advantages of stainless steel tanks.

The water in them heats up quickly, but due to the high thermal conductivity and cools down faster. Similar designs are made in the form of a cylinder or a rectangle.

The basis of such a tank is sheet steel. If it's chrome or stainless material, it is characterized by low light absorption. Such a tank will reflect light, thereby increasing the degree of illumination of the steam room.

Cast iron

Cast iron products are characterized by increased strength and an impressive (at least 40-50 years) service life. The material is characterized by low thermal conductivity, so heated water remains hot for a long time.

Cast iron tanks warm up a little slower than stainless steel counterparts. However, they are able to keep the water temperature high almost all day long. The advantage is also the absence of deformations and rust.

Of the minuses - the large weight of the structure and the associated installation difficulties.

Other types of metal

Steel tanks are characterized by much lower operational qualities compared to the options described above. They are prone to deformation, corrosion, and do not differ in durability. Even with proper care of the tank, it is difficult to avoid corrosion, which affects the purity of the water and the durability of the tank. Draining the tank after use and wiping it dry can reduce the likelihood of its occurrence.

Galvanized steel tanks have better anti-corrosion resistance compared to metal, but they wear out fairly quickly.

enamelled tanks can also be used for a bath, but you should not rely on their durability. Enough common problem the enamel becomes chipped, due to which the unprotected parts of the tank are corroded. Such designs have a much lower cost. However, they cannot be painted with heat-resistant paints, since the release of toxins begins during the heating process. In the presence of chips and cracks, it is better to refuse to use an enameled metal tank altogether.

An inexpensive option for a homemade tank will be a container welded from several sheets of aluminum. In the presence of galvanized sheets, it will be possible to obtain a product protected from corrosion.

Plastic and wood

On sale today you can find plastic tanks that mimic wooden barrels. Naturally, they are not designed for heating water. Such bowls are used for cold water or mixing hot and cold water. In this case, do not forget that hot water is poured into cold, and not vice versa.

A good option for storing cold water is an oak barrel, which is environmentally friendly, durable and attractive in appearance.

Sizes and shapes: optimal volume

You can choose the optimal tank volume based on the number of users. On average, one person needs 18-26 liters of water. About 10-12 liters are required for bath procedures, another 5-7 liters for a shower or washing after a bath. In addition, it is always necessary to make a reserve in case of unforeseen situations.

On sale you can find many models of structures of different volumes, as a rule, it ranges from 20 to 200 liters. The range of volumes of electrical analogues is slightly less - from 30 to 100 liters.

When choosing the volume of the tank, remember that the wall thickness depends on this. The larger the volume of liquid the tank holds, the thicker the walls it should have. For tanks of 50 liters, the optimal thickness is about 1 mm, for tanks with a volume of about 50 liters, the wall thickness is 1.5 mm. As the wall thickness increases, so does the weight of the product.

The dimensions of the tank per pipe depend not only on the needs of users in a certain volume of water, but also on the diameter of the pipe itself. In this case, you can determine the required volume of the tank by squaring the radius of the base of the pipe, and then multiplying the number "pi" equal to 3.14 by a constant mathematical constant. After that, the resulting number is multiplied by the estimated height of the cylinder (or, if we are talking about installing a tank from the furnace to the ceiling, by this distance).

The shape of the tank can be round, cylindrical or rectangular. When choosing a shape, it is important to focus not only on your own aesthetic preferences, but also on the location of the tank.

If the tank is mounted in a furnace, preference should be given to round devices. The walls of such a tank can withstand pressure well, so it will be more durable.

Installation and connection

Schemes for installing and connecting the tank depend on its location, the features of the bath.

If you are at the stage of building a bath, it is recommended to take care of improving the comfort of the building right now. To do this, separate the steam and washing zones and install an external type tank in the latter. Water in this case is supplied under voltage, so you can not do without a closed water supply system.

A home-made system can be organized by means of a furnace equipped with an internal coil and connected to a tank. Another option is to hang the bowl over the stove. For such a scheme, a simple tank of 50-120 liters is enough, which you can weld with your own hands, which will significantly reduce costs. For a small family, a standard 80-liter tank is enough, which is not difficult to purchase in a store.

If everything is installed and connected correctly, then the water, being heated in the register, rises to the top. Gradually cooling down, it again falls into the register. In other words, the principle of natural circulation is implemented.

Installation in this case is carried out in several stages:

• the tank is mounted under the ceiling and connected by pipes to the coil;
• to ensure the correct circulation of water will allow the connection of the upper outlet of the tank with the upper outlet of the coil, the lower one with the lower one (that is, after connecting, the hot water outlet will be from above, cold - from below);
• at the point of entry of cold water supply, so-called "explosives" should be installed - safety valve, mounted here check valve;
• is set to the maximum allowable pressure, at which the safety valve is activated (the setting is made in accordance with the instructions for the heating tank).

It is important that the length of the circuits be no more than 2.5 m. The advantage of the system is that when the water reaches the desired temperature, its movement through the pipes can be stopped.

Bath procedures have a very positive effect on human health. They perfectly warm up the muscles, joints, prevent the appearance of colds, improve blood circulation. But for a comfortable and healthy rest, the bath must be properly equipped.

Usually in standard model Russian bath has two water tanks. One of them is designed for cold, and the other, respectively, for hot. Comfortable rest in the bath directly depends on which hot water tank is chosen, how it is installed and what volume it has. These issues should be treated carefully and extremely responsibly.

Peculiarities

Although today there are a variety of heating devices for water, but the usual tank for hot water in the bath is still relevant. A rather significant advantage of this device is a decent savings on heating water from gas or from electrical appliances. Also, one of the positive aspects of the hot water tank in the steam room is that it increases the level of humidity in the air.

The main thing before buying a tank is not to miscalculate its volume. To approach the choice of the tank correctly for its subsequent reliable and long-term operation, some important rules. In particular, it should be taken into account that for one person in the bath you will need from 20 to 25 liters of hot water. Therefore, if the sauna steam room is small and designed for two people, then a standard fifty-liter capacity will be enough. And in the case when the area of ​​​​the bath allows you to relax in it with a whole company, then a hundred-liter tank is indispensable.

Kinds

Hot water tanks are available in various models. Among the most common types of structures, a built-in tank, a remote tank and a tank on a pipe are distinguished. Each of the presented models has both its positive and negative sides.

built-in

Previously, built-in structures were made in baths immediately in the process of their construction. The lower part of the water tank was connected to the furnace, and then the liquid was heated from the fire in the stove. This is a familiar and standard design that has been used for a long time. Its big plus is that the water in the tank heats up pretty quickly and it doesn’t have much trouble with the option of heating water. The liquid from such a reservoir is taken using a ladle, lifting the lid or mounting a tap in the barrel. However, such a reservoir may be of small capacity. The volume in this case directly depends on the dimensions of the heater or boiler. And also, most of the heat from the stove is spent on heating the container with liquid, which lowers the level of heat transfer in the steam room.

remote

The main convenience of this type of design is that the tank can be installed anywhere, depending on convenience. Such a container is most often placed in washing rooms or in the shower room near the steam room. As a heating device, a heat exchanger is used here, located in the stove, which is connected to the tank using pipes made of copper and brass. The principle of operation is that cold water flows through the heat exchanger, and already hot water rises back.

On the pipe

It is advisable to use these models when the steam room is used for quite a long time. In this case, the water container is located above the pipe. Installation of this design is more difficult than the others, but has more advantages. The water tank is usually installed in the attic. Heated water retains its high temperature for a long time even after the stove has been fired. The design itself does not clutter up the space in the bath, as it is located in the attic. This design is good to use in a bath with a large number of people., because the tank contains a large volume of water, and its heating is carried out in an extremely short time.

Another tank for hot water on a pipe is usually called a samovar because of its principle of operation. Usually stainless steel is used for the production of samovar systems. Thanks to this material, the water in the tank warms up very quickly. But it is extremely important not to allow the liquid to boil in the tank. This rule applies to all types of systems.

Also quite popular model are tanks of hinged type. This is a very convenient design, which is installed directly above the stove, which allows you to heat the water. Such a tank is very convenient to use in small bath because the water tank takes up little space. But their most typical drawback is that people in the steam room can accidentally touch the hot walls of the tank and get serious burns. In addition, the volume of such tanks is not always large and the water in them can quickly boil. To do this, it is recommended to periodically drain the water and fill it with cold water. Moreover, such tanks are equipped with taps for draining water.

The corner water tank is installed in the corner of the steam room. This is a plus, since such a design does not clutter up the space in the bath.

Water tanks horizontal arrangement have an oval shape and rather resemble a barrel.

There are also tanks with the so-called heating element. TENs are heating elements providing water heating from electricity. heating elements in recent times have also become very popular. Even many sauna stoves now do not work on wood, but with the help of these devices. Their leading manufacturers are firms "Harvia" "Helo", and among domestic manufacturers, the campaign is popular "Ermak". In addition, there are complex devices in which water can be heated both from the mains and from the heat of the stove.

It is also worth mentioning such a model as expansion tanks. The main function of such a device is to compensate overpressure in the heating system. This always happens when the water temperature rises. That is, the bottom line is that such a storage tank helps maintain optimal pressure in the system. Often expansion tanks applied to large systems heating, for example, for public baths.

An attached hot water tank is also considered one of the most popular. To heat water, the tank is simply attached to the furnace partition, and the water in it is heated.

materials

When choosing a tank for a bathhouse or when making it yourself, an unmistakable choice of the material for its manufacture is extremely important. The time of heating the liquid, the period of its cooling and the duration of operation of the apparatus itself will depend on this. Cast iron, stainless steel and enamelled steel are widely used among the most widely used materials.

Previously, only cast iron tanks were used for hot water tanks. Cast iron containers time-tested and have a number of positive aspects. In particular, a cast iron tank will long time keep the water hot. Corrosion does not appear on them and the water in this tank will always be clean. This material is very resistant to temperature changes. And finally, the shelf life of a cast iron tank is very long, since this material is not subject to corrosion. Currently, not many manufacturers are engaged in the manufacture of cast iron tanks. But it is quite possible to buy a used tank for a lower price. In this case, it will be necessary to process it and give it a pleasant appearance.

Of the minuses, one can emphasize a rather long time for heating the water in the tank. Cast iron tanks are heavy and sometimes need to be installed on a special foundation. If the tank is located above the stove, its fastening is required additional gain. Making such a tank yourself will also be a very problematic event.

Stainless steel tanks are now used quite frequently. This material has replaced cast iron tanks. The owners of the baths appreciated their high positive traits. These tanks do not require additional protection from high humidity. The water in the stainless steel tank heats up in an extremely short period of time. Stainless steel has good resistance to sudden changes in temperature and, accordingly, does not rust, which already follows from its name. Of the minuses, it can only be noted that the water in it cools down quickly.

Enamelled steel tanks- also a popular version of this design. A special enamel coating on such tanks reliably protects them from corrosion. The main thing is to prevent damage to the enamel, otherwise the tank may begin to rust. Although it is rather problematic to damage the enamel layer, since such a coating is resistant to different kind damage. If necessary, a tank made of such material can be very easily cleaned. There are different colors of enamel on the market.

For cold water separate tanks now they are used infrequently, since it most often enters the room through the water supply. But if it became necessary to put a container for cold water, then there is much less trouble with it than with a hot water tank, since there are no particularly strict requirements for it. You can even use wooden tanks, such as, oak barrel. Popular and plastic containers for cold water. But such containers cannot be placed in the steam room, and even more so near the stove, because plastic is sensitive to high temperatures and can deform when heated. Also, such a tank can be completely made with your own hands.

Homemade container can be welded from several sheets of aluminum. You can also use galvanized surfaces, which will additionally protect the tank from corrosion.

DIY manufacturing

Quite a few bath attendants with experience recommend making stainless steel containers. Most of its advantages were listed above and they all point to the great ease of use of such material. But it is worth considering that stainless steel also has different brands, and not everyone can be suitable for making containers with water in the bath. Some of the best options are brand 08 X 17 (430) and 812 X 18H10 (304). These are very reliable surfaces that do not require special care and will last a long time.

Usually purchased tanks have a wall thickness of 1 mm. But when making a container, it is best to use metal sheets a little more thickness. The dimensions of the sheets are selected according to the capacity of the tank.

Often masters use a stainless steel pipe. In this case, the container is similar to a barrel. And it's pretty convenient option, because you do not have to spend a lot of time calculating the size and connecting the sheets. To make such an iron barrel, you must perform the following steps:

• First you need to cut off the necessary piece of pipe with a grinder.
• The places where the pipe was cut must be carefully processed. To do this, you can use a regular file. To facilitate the task and save a lot of time, a drill with special nozzles will help.
• Then you need to start installing the bottom and top cover of the tank. Actually, for this you need to find a sheet of stainless steel. Usually the thickness of the upper and lower parts is greater than the walls of the tank itself. On the sheet you need to draw an even circle in accordance with the diameter of the pipe. The necessary circles are cut out and processed again. If a chimney passes through the container, then additional holes are made in the lower and upper parts in accordance with the diameter of the pipe from the stove.

• The next stage of work is the connection of the cut parts with the main part of the future container. For this, it is applied welding machine or the soldering method (which is much more difficult and time consuming). After joining, again, you need to process the welds well. By the way, if necessary, and for convenience upper part welding is not necessary. It can be bolted to the body or made into a cover so that it can be removed. This is done when the container is not connected to the water supply and water is poured manually.
• The next stage of work is the most painstaking. A faucet and fittings must be installed on the tank. To do this, the stainless steel must be drilled from the bottom and top in the places where the taps will be located. Sometimes nozzles are simply welded to the tank so as not to make special threads.
• Then work is carried out to install the tank. More details about them are given below.

How to install and connect correctly?

In the process of installing and connecting the tank in the bath, one of the main priorities is to decide how the water in the tank will be heated. The water in the tank can be heated either from the heat of the stove in the steam room, or with the help of a heating element. Here the main factor is the number of people visiting the steam room and their need for hot water. The thickness of the tank will also affect the rate of water heating.

Water tank connection diagrams may vary. If there is a water supply in the room, it is necessary to use a water supply system closed type. For this purpose, it is best to use a furnace that has a coil, and which, in turn, will be connected to a water tank and heat the liquid. The container itself can be mounted on the wall. Sometimes tanks are mounted directly above the furnaces, but with this type of installation, it is best to use lighter and smaller structures. For containers that have a water circuit, stainless steel or galvanized sheet is often used.

You need to connect according to the following instructions:

• The tank itself should be installed in the steam room and connected to the pipes using a coil.
• To achieve good circulation, it is worth connecting the upper part of the tank to the upper outlet of the coil, and the lower part of the tank, respectively, to the bottom. For this reason, cold water will flow from below, and hot water will be discharged from above.

• At the place where cold water will enter the tank, a safety and check valve is used.
• After that, you need to set the threshold pressure for the valves at which they will work. The drawings are shown below.

Thanks to this principle of operation, the liquid in the tank will be heated using a coil. And after it is used, the tank will be filled with cold water again.

If hot water is in the tank for a long time, then the pressure in it rises. But in this case, a so-called "explosive device" is installed on the tanks, which releases pressure automatically.

Many owners of baths have a need to paint the water tank. Especially if this is a handmade product, then you definitely need to give it a beautiful and presentable look. To begin with, before painting, it is recommended to thoroughly clean the surface of the container both inside and out. To do this, you can use various abrasives. Also, the surface must be degreased so that during subsequent painting a good adhesion of the surface and paint is ensured. If an old container is used, then for sure there will be rust residues in it. This can be dealt with using a metal brush or an electric drill with a special nozzle. A drill will help save time, effort and clean rust more thoroughly.

To heat the water in the bath, a boiler is not required, since traditionally the temperature is raised using an ordinary stove, burning wood and a specially equipped heat exchanger. However, it is better for each homeowner to decide on the choice of a suitable container used as a bath tank. This article provides basic guidelines for choosing a suitable container and describes several acceptable options for their location. There is always a choice: buy ready product or order a bath tank made according to individual technical requirements.

• Remote;
• built-in;
• Tanks on the pipe.

Until recently, water containers were always built into the furnace in such a way that the bottom of the boiler was placed on top of the furnace. Thus, the bottom of the tank is in direct contact with the fire from the stove. Water from such containers is collected independently or poured out using specially equipped taps.

Thanks to the heat exchangers built into the oven, the water tank can be installed wherever it is convenient. In this case, cold water will descend into the heat exchanger, and hot water will rise into the tank.

In some cases, the tank is installed on the chimney. This is necessary for the possibility of prolonged use of the bath after the firewood in the firebox burns out. In such devices, water is constantly heated to the required temperature. The temperature of the pipe from which the smoke comes out can even reach 500 degrees. Because the heating area is large enough, the liquid will be heated evenly. An added advantage of such structures is the impossibility of smoke leakage through the resulting crack in the pipe itself. A water tank in such a situation will act as a fuse.

Remote tank

Similar fluid heating systems are used if the furnace is equipped with a heat exchanger. Some manufacturers create ovens in such a way that you can install your own heat exchanger. They also offer customers a choice of several options for such devices. Almost every domestic manufacturer manufactures furnaces with built-in heat exchangers.

When buying a finished furnace, it would be better to purchase a heat exchanger from the same manufacturer. However, there should not be any difficulties with connecting your device to the sauna stove. Pipes with an external tank are attached to the heat exchanger.

Features of operation of furnaces with heat exchangers:

• Water should only be poured into cold system before lighting the fire. If the heat exchanger is hot, when water is added there, a difference in temperature expansion will occur. As a result, the heat exchanger may break;
• When connecting the heat exchanger to storage capacity it must be remembered that the length of the pipe structure between them should not be more than 3 m. This length is enough to install the tank behind a wall in another room. If the length of the pipe from the tank to the heat exchanger is longer, a pump will have to be installed to ensure normal circulation.

To connect the tank in the bath and the heat exchanger in the furnace, you can use any pipes that can withstand high temperature effects. Metal pipe can be installed if the tank is located at a distance of about 50 cm from the oven. The connection areas of the nozzles can be sealed with a special winding used for high temperature fixtures. It is advisable to replace the gaskets with homemade ones made of paronite.

Tank on the pipe

It is very convenient to heat water with the heat generated from the chimney. Such devices are also called samovar-type tanks. If we consider the devices in cross section, their geometry may differ in a certain way. Everyone can choose for themselves a suitable product in terms of volume and design features.

However, this method of heating has certain disadvantages:

• In such devices it is difficult to control the water level. Similarly, it is impossible to control the heating temperature. It is better not to bring the water to a boil if you need to get dry steam, but it is almost impossible to control the condition of the water in such a tank;
• Installing a tank on a pipe involves certain difficulties. The mass of such containers can be about 100 kg;
• When the tank is located above the stove, the filler hole is located too high.

However, some craftsmen find ways to control the level of liquid in the tank.

Built-in tank

A built-in or hinged tank is a conventional sealed steel container with a lid, equipped with a special tap to drain hot water. Such a tank can be fixed on the back wall or on the side. Metal hooks are often used as fasteners. In most cases, such products are made of stainless steel, which can interact with the liquid without damage. Since such a tank is exposed to high temperatures, some methods of corrosion protection cannot be used.

Material for manufacturing

Stainless steel is considered one of the most common materials for the manufacture of water tanks in the bath. We list the main arguments in favor of this particular material:

• Thanks to structural features metal, water in stainless steel heats up faster and cools down longer;
• Under the influence of high temperature, stainless steel will not be deformed;
• The material is quite light and lasts a long time. aesthetic appeal, allows you to slightly decorate the interior of the room.

Custom-made or mass-produced metal tanks are installed almost everywhere today. However, their aesthetic qualities and practicality are significantly inferior to stainless steel. The container can be closed with some kind of heat-resistant facing material or immured into the wall, but hardly anyone will be able to protect the metal tank from rust. The metal can deform over time as a result of a regular increase in the temperature of the environment. It is difficult to understand why many homeowners prefer metal tanks, despite their obvious disadvantages. However, in many new baths, such products are not even covered by anything.

Enamelled tanks slightly increase the quality of metal containers. Treatment with a special substance does not contribute to the development of corrosion, the water in such products will remain clean for a long time. However, such containers are unstable to various mechanical influences. The chipped enamel won't protect metal product from rust. When the container is exposed to corrosion, in one place, over time it will rust completely.

Cast iron products are also commercially available today. Thick metal will not rust due to the properties of its structure. However, the water in it will warm up much longer, and cool down more slowly. Cast iron containers are quite massive. It is better not to install such products on small ovens.

How to choose

In addition to volume, the main selection criteria also include design features products. Ordinary stainless steel containers, in which the water temperature rises after heating the stove, can be produced in semicircular, rectangular, square shape. This takes into account the available free space, pouring the foundation under the stove, the type of tank used. The container should be placed in such a way that the free space is not shy. It must be remembered that when touching a hot container in a bath, you can get burned. Tanks can be completely empty in winter, because after freezing, water can break the integrity of any metal container. After icing, the entire protective layer will fall off the enameled product.

For determining right size capacity, you need to determine the number of people who will use such a bath. More than 50 liters of water is not needed where one person is steamed. For relax big company in the steam room, it is desirable to equip a bath with a capacity of at least 70 liters.

The wall thickness will always be determined by the selected dimensions of the container. If stainless steel is selected with a volume of more than 50 liters, optimum thickness material will be 1 mm. Uniform heating of water, as well as heat accumulation in the tank, is determined by the thickness of the metal walls. However, one should not forget that a tank with thick walls will be more expensive. The container must have at least one place for output and for filling cold water.

To select a suitable device, it is advisable to first consult with a specialist in this field. On the domestic market there is a huge number of containers suitable for the size of the equipped bath room. It is advisable to buy a tank with a heat exchanger in a situation where the volume of the heated liquid must correspond to at least 200 liters. In addition to such containers, you can install storage tanks that are connected to the electricity and plumbing system.

From ancient times, a bath in Russia was valued much more than just a special place for cleansing the body. It was a whole ritual, which was associated with the complete liberation of a person from the superfluous spiritually and physically. In many ways, it was thanks to the bath with a birch broom that Russia was famous for its red maidens and heroes. Buck with hot water, bath heat and steam helped the Slavs to be healthy and strong, protected from many diseases, invigorated the body and spirit.

The popularity of bath procedures does not fall, it only increases every year. And this applies to the whole world. After all, the person who visited the bath absorbs all the healing and healing power of the steam, and comes out with good mood and rejuvenated.

What bath without normal? And in order to heat it, you don’t need a boiler at all, since there is a stove and a full-fledged fire in the stove. Well, the water will be heated through a special heat exchanger.

However, first it is necessary to determine which tank for a bath will be better: remote, built-in or on a pipe, what material it will be made of. In general, what exactly should it be so that at the time of using the bath it definitely does not have to be changed to some other tank.

You can, of course, find it already with a tank, but what to do when there is an oven, but there is no special container for heating? In this case, you can find special bath tanks on the market or make them yourself using a completely ordinary welding machine.

Bath tanks are of various types. The most famous are built-in, remote and on the pipe. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Compare and evaluate - which one is right for your bath.

Advantages of a tank that is built into the oven

Once upon a time, water tanks in the bath were always built into the stove - in such a way that all Bottom part the boiler was in the upper part of the furnace - the hottest. The bottom of the tank in this case is in direct contact with the stove fire. Water from this tank can either be drawn directly or removed through a special built-in tap.

Remote bath tank: main advantages and disadvantages

Thanks to the excellent opportunity to install a special heat exchanger in the oven, the tank can not be tied to a specific place - it can be installed even in the washing room. According to all known laws of physics, cold water will go down into the heat exchanger, but hot water will go up.

Of course, it also happens that the bath is used not at all for a couple of hours, but for the whole day - for example, when washing, but time has already passed after the furnace. Then the most best option – bath tank on the pipe, where the water will be constantly heated to the required temperature. This is on the pipe through which smoke comes out of the furnace - and its temperature can reach 500 degrees. Such tanks can be quite large, since the heating area of ​​the pipe is very large, and the water will be heated evenly and quickly.

There is also another advantage similar design- in this bath, smoke leakage through a crack in the pipe is absolutely impossible, since the tank in this case serves as a full-fledged fuse.

Steel, cast iron or stainless steel?

From building material From which the tank was made, a lot depends - both the durability of the tank itself, and the rate of heating and cooling of the water in it.

Cast iron: hot water all day

Since ancient times, the tank in the bath was made exclusively of heavy cast iron - the water in it was heated for a long time, and it took quite a lot of firewood, but there was hot water until the evening and the whole family could wash all day. In addition, cast iron is not afraid of either high temperatures, nor corrosion. But its big drawback, of course, is obvious.

Stainless steel bath tanks: durable and lightweight

However, stainless steel bath tubs are becoming more and more popular these days. Moisture does not need to be isolated from it, its thermal conductivity is simply excellent, and the deformation index due to very sharp temperature fluctuations is extremely small and cannot be compared with the qualities of ferrous metals.

Most best brands for these tanks - 08X17 (430) and 8-12X18H10 (304), which are also used to create dishes. They are absolutely resistant to extreme temperatures, completely hygienic and do not give in to deformation or corrosion.

Such tanks are made for a bath of thin and durable stainless steel, where special Ball Valves. Caring for these tanks is extremely easy. Therefore, if you definitely do not want to spend your time on caring for water tanks in the bath, feel free to choose this variety.

Enamelled tanks - suitable with proper handling

Enamelled tanks will completely save you from unpleasant rust. Their only drawback is possible chips that can lead to corrosion. True, they can always be treated with a special heat-resistant paint - if the tank itself is not inserted into the oven.

Heating scheme: from a furnace or a heating element?

Whether it is more profitable to heat the stove in order to heat the water or, in this regard, the heating element is much more efficient depends only on how many people in the future will simultaneously steam in the bath and how quickly they will need hot water for washing. For example, for one person, a capacity of approximately 50 liters is enough, and for the whole company - at least 70 liters.

The ability of the tank to warm up quickly enough also depends on its walls - the thicker they are, the longer it will warm up and it will also weigh more. For a bath tank with a volume of up to 50 liters, it is 0.8-1 mm, for a larger one, walls are definitely not thinner than 1.5 mm.

How to install the water tank correctly?

So, how to correctly install a tank in the bath? If the water in the washing room will come from the tap, under pressure, a closed water supply system is needed. by the most ideal option for this, a furnace with a coil inside is considered, a tank will be connected to it. However, the following method can also be implemented: the tank will be suspended on the furnace itself. Suitable for this is the simplest design of approximately 50-120 liters, which is not difficult to weld on your own. Most the best way- this is a tank of about 80 liters made of special non-galvanized iron, which can be purchased at any specialized hardware store or on the market.

A well-connected bath tank will look like this in a bath: the water in the register heats up and rises into the tank, where it cools down a little and soon sinks down into the register. This is how circulation occurs, and in order to improve it somewhat, it is better to take water from the return line - although this is not very convenient, since in this case you will have to wait a long time until the tank heats up normally. But water can be used as soon as the stove is heated. However, it is more thoughtful and effective if a full-fledged opportunity to switch water intake from direct to return is thought out - it is much more convenient. If the entrance and exit to the tank is made from below, then the circulation will be somewhat slower.

The sequence of operations performed

1. The tank is mounted in the steam room, just under the shelves, it is connected by pipes to the stove coil.
2. At the tank for stable circulation, the upper outlet is connected to the upper outlet of the coil, and the lower one is connected to the lower one. The hot water outlet will go from above, and the cold water will go from below.
3. At the inlet of cold water, a safety and check valve is mounted - it is also called an explosive.
4. The pressure of the automatic triggering of the blaster is set.

The whole structure will work in this way: the filled tank will be heated through the coil, when consumed warm water it will automatically fill up through the cold water supply. As cold water heats up, if it is not used for the time being, this pressure will constantly increase, and when it reaches its critical point, the blaster will automatically work, which will relieve all pressure.

If everything is done correctly, then the hot water in the bath will then be in the amount as necessary - and under pressure, under which it will be convenient to wash after the steam room.

Finally, remember that the most important thing when installing and using the tank is to follow all the installation features described in the instructions for the tank. In addition, you need to adhere to safety measures when creating a tank yourself. If you follow the operating instructions, the bath tank will serve you flawlessly and for a long time.

Today there is more than one way to heat water in a bath. You can do this both in and with the help of gas, use centralized water supply, but, nevertheless, the “old-fashioned” way - to heat water on the stove, has not lost its relevance. Almost any model iron oven can be equipped with a remote, attached or mounted water tank, and there are also furnaces with built-in tanks for heating it.

Currently, almost all manufacturers of bath stoves have in their assortment.

Our ancestors used cast-iron containers to heat water in the bath. They had a rounded bottom and hung on chains that were attached to ceiling beams. Such tanks warmed up for a long time, but the water in them remained hot for a long time, and the next day after using the steam room, the housewives washed with this water.

Cast iron does not corrode and the water stays clean and does not rust, but it requires a significant amount of heat to heat it up. Its main drawback is that it is heavy even without water, and it is quite difficult to raise and lower a cast iron water tank. Today, cast-iron containers have one more drawback: no one produces them, in any case, we did not find offers for the sale of cast-iron water tanks.

One of budget options- a water tank in a steel bath. There are home-made or factory-made options of various sizes and configurations. But steel, even if High Quality, rusts and eventually becomes unusable. However, this option, despite the obvious drawback, is a good way out. But we must remember that it is impossible to paint such tanks, even with heat-resistant paints. The paint will begin to melt and burn, poisoning the air and water, and instead of a healing and beneficial procedure, you will get poisoned.

Enamelled water tanks can partially solve the problem of rusting. They are slightly more expensive than steel options, but as long as the enamel is intact, such containers do not rust. Their disadvantage: you can easily beat off a piece of enamel, which will lead to rust in this place, and eventually leaks. The problem is solved by timely sealing of chips. This can be done with heat-resistant protective enamel, but if the tank will be in direct contact with the fire, paints cannot be used.

As an enameled water tank, you can use an ordinary large-capacity kitchen pan. It is placed on top of the oven, if the design allows. This is a very good option to quickly organize yourself hot water in the bath. If you have a small bathhouse, 40 liters is enough for washing one person. If there are more people in the bath, you can put two pots, or take the heated water into another container and add cold water for heating.

Those bath lovers who often take a steam bath at a party have probably seen aluminum pots.

It should be noted that if we are talking about homemade metal furnaces(), then the water in the container placed on the stove can easily boil, even if the stove is heated by gas. If the steam room and the sink are one room, then washing with water boiling in the tank becomes a test 🙂

The most reliable, and recently the most common, is a stainless steel bath tank. Stainless steel is the best option for both hot and cold water. Stainless steel tank is not subject to corrosion, durable and aesthetic. Since the walls of hot water tanks are thin, the total weight of the tank is relatively small. This can also be attributed to the pluses: the lower the weight of the tank, the less the load on the stove and it.

The disadvantages of a stainless steel tank include its decent price, and the fact that there are many fakes on the market that are passed off as stainless steel tanks, and which begin to rust after a while.

How to choose a stainless steel tank in the bath

In order for a stainless steel bath tank to serve for a long time and not require repair or replacement, it must be made of steel 8-12X18H10 (304) and 08X17 (430). Brands of lower grades will inevitably leak after a while due to rather harsh operating conditions.

The tank is leaking

What is the best stainless steel tank for a bath? Homemade or factory made? Factory products have special welded equipment, so the seams on their products look much neater, and, most likely, they are more reliable than hand-welded ones. But factory-made stainless steel tanks have their own drawback: they are cooked from sheets 0.8-1 mm thick. When dredging or pouring water, when warming up / cooling down, the walls of the container begin to “play”. If capacity big size, then this is especially noticeable, and since this phenomenon occurs regularly, the seams may open. It is difficult to restore the tank in this case: on inside scale is formed, which creates problems when welding thin sheets of metal.

It is advisable to make a custom-made stainless steel tank (some factories provide such a service) from a stainless steel sheet 2 mm thick. Such a tank will be heavier, but even with significant dimensions, its walls will not “play”. In addition, you can make a container of any, even the most non-standard type.

There is another option: you buy a stainless steel tank at a surprisingly low price. And after two or three months, spots and corrosion stains appear on it, and after some time (about a year) leaks will appear and not only in the seams.

This suggests that we are dealing with a very low quality material, which can hardly be called stainless steel at all.

You have to pay for quality stainless steel. The fact is that to give good anti-corrosion properties, chromium and nickel are added to the alloy, and such material is not cheap. Such stainless steel is also called "food" because. it is used in the manufacture of dishes and cutlery.

How to identify stainless steel

There is one proven and enough reliable way to determine what stainless steel the tank for water in the bath is made of: you need to bring a magnet to it.

Food grade stainless steel should not react to magnetic fields or react very weakly. Simply put, the magnet should not "stick" to the tank wall.

Usually, the magnet is attracted to food grade stainless steel at the places of folds or internal stress. To somehow learn to tell the difference, you can experiment with cutlery (they are definitely made from a food variety) and with ferrous metal products. The difference will be obvious.

Other methods are not entirely suitable when buying:

• you can determine the content of nickel or chromium using a spectrograph (2 cm 2 of steel is needed for research);
• can be removed with a file upper layer and apply the solution blue vitriol- food stainless steel does not change color, other metals change;
• draw a file across the cut of the metal - if a yellowish color appears, it is brass, which means stainless steel;
• using a microscope, consider whether there are traces of processing on the product: they are on the stainless steel, not on the other steel;
• define specific gravity material by immersing the product in water - determine the density of the material by the mass of displaced water;
• in the process of use on food grade stainless steel, there is no delamination of the upper layer and no scalyness, and they also retain a presentable appearance for a long time.

So, when buying a stainless steel tank, either carefully check the material, or buy it from reputable companies: many of the manufacturers of sauna stoves produce water tanks. There will certainly be steel of the required parameters: use low-quality steel - harm yourself.

You can also make a stainless steel tank with your own hands, but it is worth remembering that when welding in air, alloying metals burn out and the seams begin to rust. To avoid this, a special semiautomatic device with the possibility of welding in carbon dioxide (using stainless steel wire) is required.

Heated water tanks

Many manufacturers produce heated tanks. As a rule, water is heated using a heating element (tubular electric heater). Tanks are produced, as a rule, from stainless steel.

Heated storage tank for water. Tanks are made from stainless steels 0.8-1 mm thick. Tank volume from 40 to 200 liters. Producer LLC "Resource"

According to the price list, these tanks are sold as storage tanks, although they are often called "bulk tanks".

When choosing a heated tank, do not forget that the bath is a room with an increased risk of electric shock.

In the presence of Money and plumbing, it makes sense to opt for.