Even the most reliable and modern heating system can malfunction. This may be due to the breakdown of individual components: radiators, pipes, pump or expansion tank. In some cases, repairs can be done by yourself. But for this it is necessary to know the features of its implementation, to determine the optimal set of tools and consumables for its implementation.
Autonomous heating repair rules
A breakdown of autonomous heat supply cannot always be detected immediately. Emergency repair of the heating system is required only if there are obvious faults - leakage of radiators, pipes or failure of the boiler. But it is more difficult to determine the malfunction by indirect signs.
There are several factors that indicate the need to repair heating in a private house. First of all - a constant decrease in pressure in the system. This is due to a small leak. Another sign is a deterioration in the work of heat supply - a decrease in efficiency, uneven heat distribution. Timely repair of heating systems in a country house will help eliminate these problems.
Before restoring the operability of autonomous heat supply, you must perform the following steps:
- Turn off the boiler... For solid fuel models, it is recommended to limit the flow of air into the combustion chamber to reduce heat transfer to a minimum level.
- Determine the breakdown area and block the access of the coolant in this area.
- Choose the optimal technology for repairing heating in a private house. It depends on the type of breakdown - depressurization of pipes or radiators, failure of the boiler, expansion tank, circulation pump.
- Repair work of the heating system in a private house.
- System performance check, heating start.
This is a general scheme that has a number of nuances depending on the type of recovery measures. All influencing factors should be taken into account - the temperature outside, the type of coolant in the system (water or antifreeze), the heat supply package. In some cases, it is better to make an initial emergency repair of the heating system, and then call specialists for a professional solution to the problem.
For the prompt repair of heat supply systems in a country house, it is recommended to purchase kits in advance to eliminate leaks in pipes and radiators.
Repair of heating in the apartment
Restoring the operability of district heating differs from the above-described technology for autonomous. In many cases, you cannot repair the heating in the apartment yourself, as this may affect the heat supply parameters of the entire house.
First of all, it is necessary to notify the utilities with which a contract for heat supply has been concluded. It is advisable to record the fact of the accident on a photo or video camera. Then, after consulting with representatives of the management company, try to make temporary repairs to the heat supply in the apartment. It is strictly forbidden to overlap common risers on your own.
Upon the arrival of utilities, an act is drawn up, which indicates the following points:
- Possible causes of the accident;
- Measures taken for emergency restoration of the heating system in the apartment;
- The consequences of an emergency are damage to walls, flow, interior items. An examination of the apartment below is obligatory.
It is important to remember that self-repair of heating in an apartment can only be carried out with the consent of the Management Company. Exceptions are those situations when a heating component is replaced with similar ones without affecting the heating of the whole house.
A copy of the accident report must be kept by the owner of the apartment until the issue of compensation for the consequences of heating failure is resolved.
DIY battery repair
Most often, emergencies occur with batteries and heating radiators. This is due to the peculiarities of their operation. Timely repair of heating batteries will help not only eliminate the accident, but also make it possible to use this element of heat supply in the future.
There are a number of reasons why a radiator fails. The main one is the rusting process - the reduction of pipe walls. They do not withstand the pressure of the system, a gap is formed. To quickly fix the problem, you can make a temporary repair of the heating radiator with your own hands. It is best to use cold welding for this. First, you need to check whether it is designed for application to the material of manufacture of the radiator.
Below is the procedure for carrying out self-repair of heating batteries:
- Disconnect the radiator from the general heating system.
- Determine the place of depressurization and clean it from dirt, paint and grease.
- Prepare hot welding solution. If it is two-component, you should act strictly according to the instructions from the manufacturer.
- Do-it-yourself heating radiator repair - we apply cold welding to the fabric base and wrap the leak.
- For better sealing, it is recommended to secure the patch with a mounting strap. If this is not possible due to the design of the battery, we apply an additional layer of cold welding.
After repairing the heating battery, you can reconnect it to the general heating system. But this should be done only after the final drying of the cold welding.
Doing such a repair of a heat supply radiator with your own hands will only temporarily solve the problem. The best option for restoring the working capacity of the radiator is replacing the section or using electric (argon) welding.
After completing the restoration work, you should remove the air plugs from the radiator by opening the Mayevsky valve.
Heating pipes repair
Due to its convenient design, the repair of heating pipes in an apartment or house can be carried out in several ways. The only complication is the temporary lack of circulation of the coolant. In an apartment building, for this it is necessary to turn off the central riser. For an autonomous system, it is sufficient to deactivate the boiler.
The first thing to do when a heating pipe burst is formed is to protect the floor covering from moisture. To do this, you can use rags and containers. Then you can repair the heating pipes without welding using available materials and tools. This will require the following components:
- Clamps... Their diameter should correspond to the section of the pipe.
- Rubber gasket... You can use an old bicycle tube for this.
Before performing an independent repair of heating pipes without welding, you should shut off the coolant flow in this area. Then, the depressurization site is cleaned. The next step in repairing heating pipes in an apartment is installing a rubber gasket. It is wound in several layers. The clamp should be tight, with a stretch.Mounting clamps are used for fixing.
A more efficient repair of heat supply pipes without welding can be done using a special kit. It includes a clamp and a rubberized gasket. It differs from self-made in the speed of installation and service life.
It is purchased in advance, as it is designed for pipes of a certain diameter. If the cross-section of the line is different, it is recommended to buy several different sets.
Repair of polymer heating pipes in an apartment can be done using a welding machine. A set of mounting fittings and a piece of pipe of this diameter should be available. To carry out restoration work, the following actions are performed:
- The section of the pipeline is disconnected from the common line;
- With the help of special scissors, the defective area of the pipe is cut;
- A new pipeline is welded on with a welding machine.
For temporary repair of plastic heating pipes without welding, you can use a special putty. It is important to ensure that it is suitable for this type of pipe.
In copper pipelines, depressurization occurs most often at the joints. To solve this problem, you can re-solder or replace the entire section of the line.
Repair of heating boilers
Heating boilers are the most difficult element of heat supply. It is almost impossible to restore their performance in the event of a breakdown. Therefore, before repairing diesel heating boilers or their other analogs, all possible consequences should be analyzed.
First you need to check if the hardware warranty is still valid. If this is really the case, you need to call specialists to fix the problem. Self-repair of electric heating boilers may result in premature voiding of the warranty.
But the primary knowledge about the cause of the malfunction will help the specialist. You can describe the emergency situation over the phone. The representative of the company will take with him the optimal set of tools and components required for replacement.
Repair of electric heating boilers may be necessary in the following cases:
- A sharp decrease in the heating of the coolant;
- Failure of the control unit;
- Heat exchanger breakdown - leakage;
- The influence of third-party factors that led to the occurrence of a breakdown - a sharp jump in the voltage in the network, overheating of the coolant.
Often, the reason for the repair of diesel heating boilers can be the quality of the fuel used. In this case, you can independently clean the nozzle and check the primary fuel heating unit. If these actions did not solve the problem, you will have to call a specialist.
But there are a number of breakdowns that cannot be eliminated by repairing electric heating boilers. First of all, this concerns the destruction of the case and the lack of maintainability of the heat exchanger. In these cases, it is more expedient to purchase new equipment than to repair diesel heating boilers.
After the repair by specialists, a note is made in the warranty card about this fact. If the breakdown is associated with a factory defect in the equipment, you can request an increase in the warranty period.
Repair of circulation pumps
To increase the speed of movement of the coolant in the heat supply, a circulation pump is installed. Its breakdown will not only worsen heat transfer, but also negatively affect the performance of the entire system.
Despite the apparent complexity of the design, you can repair the heating pump yourself. To do this, first determine the cause of the problem and develop an optimal scheme to eliminate it. Before making repairs to the heating circulation pump, turn off the system and wait until the coolant has cooled down.This can be avoided if a bypass is installed on the pumping unit. It is enough to redirect the flow of hot water along the spare circuit.
Independent repair of pumps for heating is carried out only after a detailed acquaintance with the design features of a particular model. Then the device should be dismantled for further restoration of operability. There are several causes of malfunctions, after the identification of which, do-it-yourself repair work on the heating pump is performed.
Let's consider the most common of them, as well as ways to solve the problem:
- The power plant does not work... First, you need to check the condition of the terminals - the fuse on them often blows out due to voltage surges in the network. The solution is to replace the fuse;
- Increased operating noise... To repair pumps for heating, in this case, it is necessary to remove air from the pipe. It is best to install an automatic air vent in advance;
- Strong vibration during operation... Most likely the bearing on the shaft is out of order. To repair the heating circulation pump, you will need to replace it;
- Incorrect blade rotation... Check the connection phase, as well as the correct installation of the pump;
- Small head... Most often this is due to a clogged filter. In this case, it will not be necessary to repair the heat supply pump, but to clean the filter.
After long-term operation, some pump components lose their hermetic properties - the geometry of the impeller and shaft changes. To repair the circulation heating pump, the condition of these elements is first checked. Almost all models are designed to replace components. But before purchasing, you need to choose the right components by writing out the brand of the pump and its model.
There must be sealing grease on the gaskets and pump nozzles. If it is absent, it is necessary to reapply it.
Repair of expansion tanks for heating
The expansion tank is part of the heating safety group, ensuring the normal operation of the system. In open circuits, it can perform several functions - control of the coolant level and a water addition unit. It practically does not fail. But in closed heat supply circuits, the breakdown of the expansion tank is a frequent phenomenon.
Most often, the repair of the heating expansion tank is due to the destruction of the elastic membrane. But it should be borne in mind that not all models have a collapsible design. Small-volume tanks are manufactured by welded methods - two parts of the steel body are non-separable. In this case, the only option for repairing a heating expansion tank is to purchase a new one.
Less common damage to the case due to mechanical stress or rusting. In the latter case, the structure cannot be restored either. If the depressurization of the case is of a small nature, it is possible to repair the expansion tank of the heat supply using the method of arc or argon welding.
Prepare for possible malfunctions in the heating system in advance. The probable places of breakdowns are analyzed and schemes for their elimination are developed. Acting according to this technique, you can independently and quickly repair the heat supply.
Practical tips for repairing heating radiators can be found in the video: