Metal heating pipes have enviable strength and durability. They have almost no flaws, except, perhaps, a predisposition to corrosion. Unfortunately, this is precisely what often causes leaks in the system. However, metal-plastic and even polypropylene pipelines are also subject to this risk, although for other reasons. In any case, the hole in the communications must be urgently eliminated. How to stop and how to seal a leak in a heating pipe without the help of a plumber? Definitely, for this you will have to carefully study the scheme and principle of operation of the heating circuit of a house or apartment. In addition, you will have to acquire some kind of tool - without it, it will be much more difficult to repair even the smallest hole in the heating pipe, and to conduct a more serious one pipe repair and completely unrealistic.
If you don’t quickly close the leak, there is a chance to flood the neighbors from below
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Why do leaks occur?
The question of how to plug holes in the heating pipes will be much easier to answer with a concrete designation of the main reasons for their appearance. As a rule, leaks in domestic heating systems result from:
- Corrosive effects of thermal agent and the environment. Corrosion of metal pipelines occurs due to condensate, which penetrates into unprotected places of communications, where it causes the gradual destruction of metal.
- Violations of installation and connection technology. The weak point of metal communications is welds, as well as areas around joints and joints. Plastic and polypropylene can lose their tightness due to mismatch of the parameters of the system elements, as well as errors in their installation and connection.
- Freelance work modes. Incorrectly functioning heating units, worn-out fittings, low or, on the contrary, too high pressure in the system are quite capable of causing a leak of the heat agent.
- Mechanical damage. Neither metal, nor, moreover, metal-plastic or PP pipe can withstand intense physical impact. That is why heating communications and equipment are located hidden or in areas with low access intensity.
Helpful advice! The leak must be repaired with the expectation of at least the remainder of the operating period, or at least the time required for the plumber to call and arrive. This should be the main criterion for choosing how to plug holes in heating pipes. After all, overhaul of the system will be possible only after the completion of the heating season. All other measures are considered temporary.
Connection points need to be checked first
Risk areas and leak detection
Malfunctions in the operation of the heating circuit are always easier to prevent than to look for at the most inopportune moment than to plug holes in the heating pipes. Therefore, even before the onset of the heating season, equipment and communications must be tested in operation, paying particular attention to hazardous areas.
These include:
- direct spans of heating pipes;
- threaded and welded joints;
- joints of sections of radiators;
- points heating equipment;
- fitting locations (adapters, branches, etc.);
- segments of communications hidden or under mechanical load.
All these places must first be checked simply visually, and then with the circuit turned on. To detect even the smallest leakage or fistula, ordinary toilet paper will help - it absorbs moisture well and shows a hole in the pipe or at the junction of its sections in a matter of seconds. But what to do if it was not possible to identify a leak or fistula on the thread in this way, however, there are clearly signs of depressurization in the system - drops or lack of pressure, increased humidity, improper operation of heating units, etc.? In this case, you can use the manometer - it will determine the presence and stability of pressure in the system by alternately checking its individual sections.
Warning! Qualitatively close up leaks in heating systems will succeed only after resetting the riser. Otherwise, you can get a fair amount of dirty hot water directly to the floor.
Rubber seal clamp - temporary solution before replacing pipes
How and what to fix the holes around the heating pipes: eliminate leaks yourself
What do holes in heating pipes close up? In practice, various tools can be used to eliminate leaks in the circuit:
- pipeline bandages;
- clamps or steel wire;
- rubber, fabric, polymer, etc. types of gaskets;
- cold welding.
How to stop a leak in heating pipes? First, you need to remember that you can start to eliminate leaks only after stopping the circulation and cooling of the coolant. The latter in some cases, it is desirable to remove from the system, or at least reduce the pressure on the damaged area.
The most difficult question is how to seal leaks in metal heating pipes? After all, it is impossible to repair them with electric welding - after applying this method, corrosion processes will proceed many times faster. If a hole in the heating pipe has formed a small one, it is worth trying to repair it with a clamp and a rubber gasket completely covering the leak. How to eliminate leaks in heating pipes without clamps or bandage system? In this case, a steel wire is useful, which will have to be more than thoroughly wrapped around the pipe and securely fixed. But first, the problem area should be freed from rust, moisture, paint residues and dirt in order to minimize the risk of further flow of the coolant.
How can a leak in a heating pipe be eliminated if it has been identified in the area of threaded connections? In this case, you should start by cleaning the snuff from the remnants of tow and sealant. The integral thread must be re-sealed and then tightened securely. If it was not possible to stop the leak, then there is damage on the thread - a fistula. It can be eliminated by cutting additional turns and applying a special waterproof putty around the threaded connection.
Helpful advice! In some cases, to eliminate fistula, it is necessary to completely replace worn fittings. Kato close up the fistula in the heating pipeif the problem is not in the fittings, but in the worn thread on the pipeline itself? It will take radical measures - complete removal of the damaged area.
High-quality connections, guarantee of uninterrupted operation of the heating circuit
How to eliminate a leak in the heating pipes of hidden wiring?
Sometimes leaks occur in hidden areas of heating pipelines. To avoid or at least postpone the analysis of building structures to completely replace damaged pipes will help seal the latter from the inside. How to seal holes in a heating pipe installed hidden? To do this, use one of the following methods:
- Mustard powder can be added to the expansion tank, after which the circulation of the coolant should be resumed.After a few hours, the mustard suspension will seal cracks and small holes from the inside of the pipe. After eliminating the leak in this way, the system must be flushed.
- For a certain period of time, factory sealant is poured into the heating circuit, which settles on the inner walls of the pipelines at the points of leakage. After sealing, the coolant must also be replaced.
It should be understood that a large hole or fistula will not be able to block the internal sealant. If they were detected in hidden areas, the system will have to be turned off, after which it is necessary to reset the riser, and then proceed to the analysis of the structure to replace leaking spans. In the event that you live in an apartment building, it is necessary to notify the neighbors, as well as the corresponding communal services, of the sanitary works that are being carried out.
It is important! 95% of malfunctions in domestic heating systems are associated with errors made at the design, material selection, installation and connection of heating circuit elements.
Therefore, compliance with the rules and regulations in force in this area should be given special attention. As a result, it will be much easier for you to find the best option for how to repair leaks in the heating pipes on your own if they occur during the operation of the circuit.
