Heating pipe sealant can be purchased at any hardware store. The wide variety of offered varieties forces the user to familiarize themselves with them in more detail. To do this, you need to understand the features of each of the proposed names and the rules for their selection.
The need for sealing
Heating system sealant is in demand in the following cases:
- installation of water conduits, when pipes are joined at the interface;
- sealing of threaded connections in heating systems;
- elimination of small-sized cracks that often appear during the operation of pipe billets;
- elimination of leaks, which over time form at the joints of pipes and fittings and can lead to a decrease in pressure in them.
In accordance with each of the considered situations, the type of composition is selected that is optimal for the stated purposes. At the same time, the option of using universal heat-resistant sealants for heating pipes is not excluded.
Varieties of sealant
The domestic manufacturer offers a huge range of sealing compounds, which have their own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. The correct choice of the most suitable name is possible only after familiarization with each of them.
Acrylic
Heating sealant from the group of acrylic oligomers is the simplest mixture of special polymers. It is suitable for sealing heating pipelines, but it is very sensitive to extreme heat and frost: in the first case it cracks, in the second it hardens and crumbles. Therefore, the use of these compounds is allowed only for internal work. Despite the fact that acrylic sealants belong to the group of moisture resistant, with constant contact with water, their adhesive properties deteriorate. They are used only for a limited range of works related to sealing cracks and sealing joints in steel and polypropylene pipes.
Thiokol
Polysulfide or thiokol compounds are among the most durable of all known types of sealants. The following components are used in their manufacture:
- base;
- heat-resistant hardening pastes;
- additives to accelerate vulcanization.
A thiokol mixture is prepared just before it is applied to the protected area; the prepared portion should be used within 2 hours.
The advantages of thiokol sealants include:
- elasticity of the structure;
- resistance to chemicals, UV, as well as to fuels and lubricants;
- the possibility of using in a wide range of temperatures (from -50 to +1300 degrees);
- good adhesion to steel structures.
Disadvantages: toxicity and high cost of the material, as well as the need to prepare it in small portions.
Silicone
Silicone sealants are among the most demanded of all the formulations offered on the market. With their help, it is possible to close up joints of any complexity, as well as to eliminate the detected leak without any problems. They are allowed to be used at temperature fluctuations from 32 to 62 degrees.
Silicone-based sealants have everything you need for high-quality sealing: strength, elasticity and the ability to penetrate into hard-to-reach areas. When buying, it is important to carefully study the composition of the purchased sealant. The acids included in some of them are very active and can lead to the destruction of the compound.
Polyurethane
This type of sealant, along with the polysulfide type, also represents a group of oligomers widely used in construction. The features of polyurethane compounds include resistance to external influences, as well as long service life. They are available in two versions: one- and two-component. The first samples are cheaper, but take longer to freeze. In addition, they are distinguished by increased elasticity, good adhesion, resistance to strong heat and corrosion. Due to the high cost, this type of sealant is practically not used for domestic purposes.
Liquid
Liquid type sealants are used where there is no access to the damaged area or leakage area. The principle of its operation is based on the fact that the composition is poured into the cavity of the pipes together with the coolant. In the damaged section of the pipeline, it reacts with oxygen and seals the gap as a result of polymerization. The following types of liquid structures are distinguished:
- used in aquatic environments;
- used in systems filled with antifreeze;
- used for sealing metal or plastic pipes.
There are also anaerobic heating sealants or polymer gels used to seal threads.
Requirements for special sealants
Sealant for heating radiators and pipes of the heating system supplied to them must meet the following requirements:
- ease of use;
- fire resistance and resistance to stress;
- high rates of adhesion and strength;
- safety of use.
Such structures must quickly set, providing the required sealing effect at the junction of pipes and batteries used to heat the premises. These factors must be taken into account when choosing a suitable type of protective composition.
Preparatory activities
The preparatory procedures preceding the elimination of a malfunction or leak are considered using the example of liquid structures. Before using them, it will be necessary to clarify the required concentration of the composition added to the hot coolant circulating through the pipes. When determining this parameter, it is assumed that for every 80 liters of carrier, one liter of sealing agent is sufficient. Its total volume is calculated by adding these indicators for the entire pipeline network - the consumption of sealant for heating batteries and boiler elements. The latest data are taken from the technical data sheet, which makes it possible to take into account all possible options for their practical use.
Preparatory measures in the case of dry compositions are reduced to a thorough cleaning of the sealing area.
Application methods
For this indicator, all known compositions are:
- for external use;
- for internal use;
- applied to threads or gaskets to improve the quality of joints.
The choice of the required composition depends on the nature of the damage and the availability of the place where it is planned to be applied.
