Modern technologies for arranging underfloor heating using slide-on fittings greatly simplify the installation of pipes based on polypropylene and cross-linked polyethylene (SP). The German company Rehau is a leader in the production of products of this class, providing its customers with a 10-year warranty for all products offered. For a complete product assessment, you will need to familiarize yourself with the types and main characteristics of Rehau pipes for underfloor heating.
Main types and technical characteristics
The most popular models in the Rehau line of pipes for underfloor heating are Stabil, Pink, and Flex.
Stabil
Stabil pipe products are highly versatile, allowing them to be used in the arrangement of underfloor heating and in various heating circuits. They are made on the basis of polyethylene coated with a thin layer of aluminum using the PE-RT technology. For completeness of the description, you should familiarize yourself with the technical characteristics of these products, which are standardized for various temperature indicators. At the operating temperature of the coolant, they look like this:
- working pressure at which the system operates for a long time up to 6 atmospheres;
- maximum allowable pressure maintained by pipe walls - up to 10 atmospheres;
- minimum bending radius in millimeters - 60;
- service life - up to 50 years;
- the ability to work at a high temperature of the hot medium (up to 95-100 degrees).
For various temperature indicators, the value of the working and limiting pressures can differ greatly from the standardized indicator. It ranges from 6 to 20 atmospheres. Products of this class contain a number of additional elements in the kit, represented by a special sleeve with a coupling. The latter are designed for reliable sealing of pipe connections, significantly increasing the convenience and quality of installation.
Flex
The Flex product line in its structure is only slightly different from the considered variety of pipes. The difference lies in the following nuances:
- there is no aluminum coating typical for the Stabil series, which increases the flexibility of the product and simplifies its installation;
- the inner surfaces of the pipe blanks are protected by a special composition, which eliminates the risk of air entering the flow channel;
- for their articulation, a set of special sliding sleeves is used, which makes it possible to do without sealing parts and butting assemblies.
Rehau Flex pipes are made on the basis of seamless polyethylene and are equipped with a special sensor that monitors the level of heat transfer of the floor heating system. The products are delivered in coils of 100 and 50 meters or in fixed lengths of 6 meters. In terms of resistance to the spread of fire, pipes of this series have a flammability class B2 (normal).
Pink
Pink products are made from pink (red) polypropylene, their characteristics practically do not differ from those already considered for PE-RT products. A significant difference in terms of production features is the use of a protective layer made using the Eval technology.Despite the fact that its use reduces the heat output of the tube heater system, due to the innovative approach, the resistance to destructive influences and deformations is increased.
The fire resistance class of pipe products in this series is B2. They are also supplied in coils of 100 or 50 meters in length, depending on the pipe diameter. If desired, fixed sections of workpieces with a length of 30, 12 or 6 meters are selected. The products of this series are ideal for flooring in residential and industrial buildings, as well as for heating ramps, sports tracks and outdoor areas.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the pipe products of the German manufacturer include:
- ease of installation due to the ease and flexibility of the pipe blanks themselves;
- long service life (up to 50 years);
- noiseless operation and environmental friendliness of the material used;
- a large selection of models;
- high temperature resistance, as well as the ability to retain heat.
When installing, you can forget about corrosion and not worry about leaks due to the destruction of the walls. The pluses of pipes from Rehau also include versatility of application. Many models are suitable for the arrangement of warm floors and for the design of water heating circuits and sewage systems. High strength properties exclude the possibility of cracking at high pressures in the system.
The piping is installed without the usual bolted connections; during operation, no deposits of salt deposits appear on the internal surfaces. The advantage of these products lies in the fact that a large selection of fitting connectors allows you to insert into existing heating systems, including underfloor heating.
The disadvantages of pipe products from Rehau are:
- comparative high cost of pipe material;
- the high cost of auxiliary components for the installation of underfloor heating and other systems;
- the need to install P or L shaped temperature compensators on long sections of pipelines;
- the need for fixing elements for long and flexible polyethylene pipe purlins.
Despite a number of significant shortcomings, pipe products of the Rehau-PEX series and other product samples are gradually conquering the domestic market, displacing potential competitors.
Dimensions of Rehau pipes and their areas of application
In width, the products presented by the company are produced with values from 2.2 to 8.6 mm, and in diameter - from 16 to 63 mm. They go on sale in the form of 6-meter segments or coils of two standard sizes, which, if necessary, are cut into blanks of length divisible by 10 meters.
Rehau XLPE pipes for underfloor heating are used for the following purposes:
- heating of country houses and industrial facilities;
- arrangement of intra-apartment water pipelines;
- construction of underfloor heating and heating systems of a similar type.
In addition, pipes from the PEX series are used for piping air conditioners, as well as heating football fields and sports fields.
Requirements for safe operation
Rehau pipes are a justified choice of users who want to have reliable and high-quality underfloor heating. With their help, a comfortable temperature is maintained in the apartment, contributing to the creation of a cozy atmosphere. It is important to observe the following safety rules:
- on floors with water heating, it is not allowed to use special coatings that prevent free heat transfer;
- it is forbidden to place bulky items on them that can cause deformation of expensive pipe products;
- if any malfunctions or irregularities in the operation of the heating system are detected, it is necessary to turn off the coolant supply and call a plumber;
- when leaving the apartment for a long time, it is also recommended to shut off the heat supply;
- with a short-term absence of people in the room, it is advisable to set the minimum heating temperature.
If simple operating rules are followed, a warm floor mounted on the basis of Rehau pipes will last a very long time. Any irregularities found during the operation of the system are usually explained by violations of the technique of installing a warm floor.
