Posted by Proper operation of the heating system implies its periodic maintenance, and the priority action in this direction is regular (preferably annual) flushing of the heating system, carried out directly by the owner of the property or specialists of the appropriate profile hired by him.
Failure to flush the heating system can lead not only to a deterioration in heating efficiency, but also to other unpleasant consequences, including damage to heating equipment. Therefore, if you don’t want to subsequently order heating system repairs in Porterville or another city, then it’s better to play it safe. Moreover, in some cases you can even do the washing yourself, although inviting specialized specialists is a more reasonable solution.
Do-it-yourself mechanical cleaning and hydraulic flushing of the heating system
If you want to solve the flushing issue yourself – without professional skills and tools, then mechanical flushing of the heating system in a private home becomes the best option. Using this method allows you to thoroughly clean and flush the radiators, thereby improving their performance. At the same time, the procedure does not allow you to immediately (together with the radiators) wash other elements of the heating system, so be prepared that you will have to clean them separately.
Below we attach instructions on how to mechanically flush the heating system with your own hands:
- wait until the radiator cools down (if it is heated);
- close the shut-off valves and drain the coolant from the radiator;
- dismantle the radiator and place it in the bathroom or take it out into the yard (if we are talking about a private house);
- clean the radiator with a cable or a similar tool;
- rinse the radiator with clean (required) water from a hose;
- As a final step, reconnect the radiator and fill with coolant.
Please note that flushing must be done several times until clear water begins to flow from the radiator, without small debris and obvious impurities. If you are flushing in the bathroom, be sure to cover the drain with a mesh so that debris from the radiator does not get into the sewer system and cause a blockage.
Also remember that in a private house, flushing the heating system can be done at any time, but in apartments with centralized heating, cleaning the radiator from the inside is only allowed outside of the heating season.
Professional methods for flushing the heating system in an apartment building and private house
The method discussed in the previous section assumes the need to partially disassemble the heating system and sequentially clean its components. And although this method is feasible (and most importantly, it allows you to flush the heating system yourself, without involving professionals), it has not been particularly popular for a long time. And all because there are more modern solutions that allow you to flush the heating system with much greater efficiency.
True, such solutions require certain skills and special tools, so in most cases, flushing has to be ordered from specialists. However, within the framework of the article, we will tell you about these methods – so that you understand the essence of the processes in the case of ordering the appropriate services from specialized plumbing organizations.
So, among the existing methods for flushing heating systems in private and apartment buildings (without the need to disassemble the system), it is worth highlighting the following options:
Hydrodynamic flushing
This option involves removing deposits inside the system using water supplied under fairly high pressure. The created flow easily knocks off formed deposits from the walls of the equipment, thereby efficiently cleaning the system elements from salts, rust and other contaminants. The use of this method involves connecting a pump that supplies water at the required pressure and a hose with a suitable nozzle.
Hydropneumatic flushing
Cleaning using this method involves supplying air under high pressure. The created air flows knock off all the contaminants deposited there from the walls of the circuit, which are then removed with the help of water. This method can be done either with or without disassembling the system. In both cases, the quality of washing is very high (although with disassembly it is still higher). The only question is the time required to carry out the procedure.
Chemical washing
This method involves dissolving deposits using special solutions of alkalis and acids. Typically, a circulation pump is used for flushing, pumping the necessary solutions into the system and ensuring their uniform distribution. The advantage of the method is the almost guaranteed dissolution of any contaminants. The disadvantages are the duration of the procedure (usually you have to wait at least several hours for the chemicals to take effect), as well as the need to check the compatibility of the chemicals used with the materials used to make the heating system elements. For example, some chemicals cannot be used on radiators made of aluminum and other non-ferrous metals.
Dispersive washing
This method is similar to chemical washing, with the exception that the reagents used in dispersed washing are gentle on the materials from which the heating system elements are made. In addition, dispersed reagents, after use, create a special hydrophobic layer that protects heating equipment from new contaminants.
The listed methods can be used for flushing heating systems in apartment buildings and private buildings, however, the feasibility of their use is determined by specialists on an individual basis. Independent use of these methods is undesirable – at least from the principle of “do no harm.”