Old-style heating devices, which are found in all apartment buildings of the Soviet era, have long failed to meet modern standards for heat transfer, not to mention their advanced age and unpresentable appearance. The risers of the centralized heating system are also not in the best condition. Replacing the heating batteries along with the pipes, which you can do yourself if you wish, will help correct the situation. How to properly change radiators in your apartment is described in this article.

Which radiators are better to install?

The choice of heating devices in the retail network is quite large, but not all of the batteries offered are suitable for operation in a centralized heating network. The reasons are known - poor quality of the coolant in this network and the amount of operating pressure in the system. The latter depends on the number of floors of the house and its proximity to the boiler room, where there are powerful network pumps. That is, the common man does not know what the pressure of the coolant is in the pipes of his apartment. The market offers us the following options for new radiators:

• made from aluminum alloy: quality products famous manufacturers designed for a working pressure of 16 bar or more (160 m of water column);
• made from the same alloy, but with an internal frame made of steel (bimetallic). Can easily withstand 30 Bar (300 m of water column);
• cast iron batteries, whose operating pressure rarely exceeds 10 Bar;
• steel panel devices, their limit is limited to 8 bar;
• tubular steel with a pressure of about 12 Bar (depending on the manufacturer).

If you intend to replace the batteries in the apartment multi-storey building(over 5), then bimetallic and good aluminum radiators. The main thing is that they are designed for an operating pressure of 12 bar, more in centralized systems heat supply is very rare. You should not take risks and install steel or cast iron appliances, as they may leak.

For reference. Previously, in apartment buildings with 9 or more storeys, welded steel convectors were installed, which were a coil made of pipes with mounted plates. Only such heaters could withstand the network pressure. That’s why cast iron “accordions” are not found in high-rise buildings.

A few words about what kind of batteries can be installed in villages and urban areas, where all the houses are five-story. Here the choice is entirely yours, the only question is the price of the products. The most expensive of all are steel tubular and cast iron radiators in retro style. As for cheap panel batteries, it is better not to use them at all in centralized heating systems.

Preparing for replacement

If you decide to replace the entire heating system in your apartment with your own hands, then in addition to the batteries, you also need to select pipes. There are few options here:

• galvanized or non-galvanized steel pipes;
• stainless steel regular or corrugated pipe;
• metal-plastic.

Polypropylene or cross-linked polyethylene is not suitable for heating risers. The reasons are the same: high pressure and temperature in the system. Metal-plastic is suitable, but with the condition: the connections must be made by pressing, dismountable fittings cannot be installed. This best option to replace pipes and batteries yourself, without involving specialists with gas welding. You can change the riser and connect the radiator using a corrugated stainless steel pipe, but you need to pay attention to how much such pleasure costs.

Before replacing heating system pipes, you must make sure that they are not filled with coolant. It is clear that such work needs to be done in the off-season when the system is not working. But just in case, it’s better to shut off the riser in the basement apartment building, suddenly the heating supply organization planned some tests for this very day. If there is a drain valve, open it and drain the water, and if not, drain the radiator cap.

Advice. Since steel pipes rot most strongly in the thickness of the ceilings, experts recommend cutting off and attaching a new riser in the apartments of neighbors above and below. Try to negotiate with your neighbors about the work, explaining that it is in their interests. After all, when the neighbors decide to change the batteries along with the risers, it will not be difficult for them to connect to your new pipe.

In addition to the usual set of plumbing tools, you will need:

• Bulgarian;
• crimping pliers for fittings;
• cutting device pipe thread(klupp).

The clamp is a special wrench with a ratchet into which a lever (die) is inserted. There is no point in buying crimping pliers and a key, but renting or borrowing from a familiar plumber is just right. You won't be able to get by without the key. plastic pipe It can be connected to steel only through a threaded adapter. You can learn more about choosing materials and replacing heaters by watching the video:

Replacing heating risers

When all the tools are prepared and the system is empty, replacing heating radiators with your own hands begins with dismantling the old batteries and pipes. The work is carried out using a grinder with a metal cutting wheel installed. In order not to stain the wall, you need to insert between it and the pipe thin sheet asbestos or other non-combustible material.

Advice. Do not rush to cut the riser right away; start by dismantling the heating device and supply pipelines. Then cut off the pipes from the neighbors' side and carefully remove them from your apartment, cutting the riser into 2 parts.

Because O.D. metal-plastic pipeline more than steel, that is, there is a possibility that you will have to remove old pass-through cases (sleeves) from the ceilings and install new ones. Then you need to cut the thread, screw on the adapter and attach a new plastic pipe, pushing it through the ceiling. If the neighbors did not allow you to carry out the work, then you will have to do everything in your apartment. But it should be remembered that too old pipe may break off in the ceiling while threading, so it must be held with a gas wrench.

The next step is installing a new battery. It is unlikely that the old fasteners will be suitable for this, so they must be removed and new ones installed, having first marked the position of the radiator on the wall. When fixing the radiator, you need to align the horizontal level. It is recommended to carry out work on marking and installing the heating device, taking into account the distances indicated in the diagram:

Now all that remains is to connect the radiator to the new riser using metal-plastic connections. For single-pipe wiring, which is most often found in multi-storey buildings, a jumper (bypass) should be installed between these connections, as is done in the diagram:

Important. A bypass is required in a single-pipe scheme, even if it did not exist before. Old-style steel convectors did not create much resistance and did not take away as much heat as modern batteries, which is why jumpers were not installed on them.

Conclusion

If you plan to change only the battery, then the work will take you about half a day. But replacing a riser with your own hands is a long and labor-intensive process, so expect it to take the whole day. Finally, a piece of advice: do not lay polypropylene pipes, as many apartment owners do. This material is not for central heating, it serves reliably in autonomous systems.

Content

Heating radiators provide comfortable temperature conditions in the apartment during the cold season. Traditionally, steel and cast iron heating devices were installed during the construction of a house and connected directly to the pipeline, without shut-off valves. In such situations, replacing batteries in an apartment involves additional hassle.

Replacing heating batteries in an apartment

Reasons for replacement

There are a number of reasons why heating appliances in apartment building have to change. These include:

• Physical wear and tear of equipment. Old batteries deteriorate, lose their tightness, and during pressure testing of the system after emergency or seasonal maintenance work, or simply during operation, they leak.
• Not enough efficient heating . An old radiator differs from a new one in a thick layer of deposits inside the housing, which is why the coolant cannot fully transfer heat to the room.
• Insufficient power. In apartment buildings panel houses Convectors can be installed, the power of which is not enough to fully heat large rooms.
• Unattractive appearance . Battery replacement can be done for aesthetic reasons - modern models have an attractive stylish design.

After making a decision to install new heating devices instead of physically or morally obsolete ones, it is necessary to determine who will finance and carry out the work - the management company or the owner of the apartment.

Old cast iron battery

Whose responsibility is it to replace heating radiators in an apartment?

Let's figure out who should change the batteries in a privatized apartment. In accordance with Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 491 (came into force in August 2006), the entire heating system in an apartment building is classified as common property. Its composition (according to paragraph No. 6 of the Rules) includes heating network equipment, risers, valves (shut-off and for regulation), general house heat meters, as well as heating devices (radiators).

Accordingly, in the event of physical wear and tear of the batteries, leaks or overgrowth from the inside, the replacement of heating radiators in the apartment is carried out by the management company (ZhEK), to whose account residents’ monthly deductions for major renovation. It is the management company that is responsible for the maintenance and servicing of common property, part of which is the heating radiators in the apartments.

In practice, it is easier to achieve free replacement of emergency heating appliances in a municipal apartment. Housing office workers often force residents of privatized apartments to independently purchase a battery and pay for dismantling and installation work. But according to current legislation, the purchase of a heating device and all work on its installation must be paid for from money collected for major repairs of the housing stock, regardless of whether the apartment is privatized or not.

In an effort to save money, management companies prefer to repair old batteries until they begin to crumble. Therefore, it may take a lot of effort to achieve free installation of new radiators to replace emergency ones.

Emergency heating radiator

If residents decide to install a new one, modern device heating system to replace the obsolete but serviceable one, they will have to solve this issue on their own by paying for the purchase and installation.

Replacement of heating devices through the housing office

So, replacement of heating devices is carried out through the housing office only in situations where the established service life of the radiators has been exceeded, they are in disrepair and cannot be repaired. In other cases, when batteries leak, minor repairs are performed.

According to current standards, the service life of a cast iron radiator is 15-30 years when used in open system and 30-40 years - in a closed one. But, even if we are talking about an apartment building where the batteries were installed more than 40 years ago, the operating company is often limited to only repairing the radiator, since replacement is included in the list of major repairs, the timing of which may not yet be determined.

Replacing the battery using gas welding

To replace emergency batteries free of charge, residents must contact the Housing Office with a corresponding application. It is recommended to prepare two copies of the application and mark both as having been accepted by the responsible person at the housing office. The application and its copy are marked with the number, date and legible signature of the responsible person.

Duplicating the document will help if problems arise in the future related to the reluctance of the management company to change emergency batteries at the expense of the capital repair budget. But residents must stand up for their rights, as they paid for the replacement of old radiators through monthly housing, maintenance and overhaul fees common property Houses.

Coordination of replacement of system elements

Replacing the heating system in an apartment requires approval from the company providing public utilities. It is necessary to obtain permission by contacting the administration of the operating organization servicing the house.

Even at the design stage of an apartment building, the heating system is calculated - the number and power of heating devices, their location, volume and temperature of the coolant, etc. are determined. Replacing heating batteries with models with other performance characteristics may lead to deterioration of the heating system in the house. If unauthorized replacement heating batteries do not meet the design parameters, this provokes an emergency situation.

Removing the battery from the brackets

If you plan to change the heating radiators in the apartment yourself - at your own expense, a number of documents are required for consideration:

• Application with attached technical passport for the apartment.
• A document confirming ownership of the apartment.
• Expertise-approved thermal calculations for new heating appliances.
• Certificates of conformity for all components (radiators, fittings, pipes, fittings, etc.).

Pay attention! If the radiator is replaced with a similar heating device, permission is not required. In this case, the management company is only warned about the work being carried out.

Thermal calculation expertise is required if you plan to:

• change heating batteries by installing devices of a different type, with different technical characteristics;
• increase the power of the existing radiator by adding links;
• move the heating device to another part of the room.

An expert should check whether upgrading the heating system will not disrupt the thermal balance of the house. Expertise is paid service and is carried out at the expense of the apartment owner.

After replacing the heating batteries in the apartment, an application for technical examination is submitted - specialists and representatives of the management company check the correct installation and compliance of the heating devices with those that were approved for installation.

Convenient time for work

The period of time when it is better to change heating batteries is the period between the end of one heating period and the beginning of another. During the heating interval, hydraulic tests of the system can be carried out. It is important to obtain information in advance from the management company about the timing of the tests in order to schedule battery replacement for other days.

It is better to change radiators in summer period

Due to an emergency situation, it may be necessary to quickly change heating devices. For a privatized apartment, emergency replacement of radiators is a paid service, since their performance must be monitored by the owner of the apartment and promptly notified the operating company about leaks or physical wear and tear old batteries that have expired.

We change batteries ourselves

Before replacing the heating device with a new one, decide on the scope of work. If the battery is connected to horizontal pipes that come out of the wall, only the heating device itself is changed. In other cases, it is desirable to replace the riser so as not to cut metal pipes.

To replace the riser, you will need to negotiate with the neighbors above and below the floor - in this case, the pipeline is connected to their heating devices. If the neighbors do not want to start repairs, you can choose one of three options:

• cut the riser from top and bottom, cut external threads and install a new pipeline from modern materials;
• cut off the supply pipes next to the old radiator and connect the new heating device to the old pipeline;
• cut the supply pipes at the bend and connect new supply pipes with a bypass to the vertical sections of the riser.

Replacing heating radiators using welding

Steel pipes require installation on a gas welding machine, for which you should involve professionals with the appropriate equipment. By installing the heating battery yourself, it is more convenient to use metal-plastic pipes (prerequisite- pressfittings, not threaded connections), galvanized steel frames with installation on bends, corrugated or regular stainless steel pipes.

Removing old batteries

Before changing the batteries in the apartment, it is important to make sure that the management company employees have shut off the coolant supply and emptied the riser. Residents replacing radiators should have a convenient container ready to drain any remaining water from the radiator during dismantling.

If a decision is made to replace the heating radiator along with the riser or only with the supply pipes, then the pipeline is simply cut in the selected places. In the case when a new battery is installed to replace the old one, The heating device is removed according to the following diagram:

• twist the locknut on the drive until it stops (it is what secures the battery), the operation is performed on the upper and lower connections;
• determine the cutting locations on the supply pipes, and it is necessary to leave at least a centimeter of thread;
• marks are made using a level - the cut must be vertical and even, otherwise it will be difficult to install a new battery;
• cut the pipes according to the marks and remove the battery to be replaced from the wall brackets;
• remove the brackets;
• If necessary, the edges of threaded pipes are trimmed by tightening the locknut and removing burrs.

Removing the old plate battery

Preparation for installation

At the stage of preparing to modernize the heating system in an apartment with your own hands, you should develop a connection diagram, determine the length and diameter of all sections of the pipeline, the number and type of components. The list of materials used must be approved by the specialists issuing permission to replace the battery. The scheme necessarily provides for the installation of shut-off valves on the supply line and a bypass - a jumper that allows you to turn off the radiator without blocking the flow of coolant in the house system.

Work on installing a new radiator begins after the location of the heating device has been determined:

• the gap between the floor and the lower edge of the radiator is at least 10-15 cm;
• distance from the top edge of the battery to the window sill - from 15 cm;
• a gap of 3-4 cm is left between the wall and the housing of the heating device (adjustable when installing the brackets).

Pipes, taps, fittings for battery installation

Pay attention! Failure to comply with the recommended distances impairs the circulation of heated air and reduces the thermal efficiency of the radiator.

Installing a new battery

If the heating system riser has been dismantled, first of all, external threads are cut on the protruding parts of the old pipes for fastening steel or metal-plastic pipes using appropriate fittings. A bypass jumper is installed between the supply and return pipes using tees. After bypass to each of horizontal pipes A ball valve with an American connection is installed.

Threaded connections are sealed with flax strands and silicone sealant (or oil paint). This sealing option is allowed for connecting cast iron radiators; unlike FUM tape or thread, the seal is not squeezed out or torn. Sealants that do not dry out tend to squeeze out, while sealants that harden tend to dry out, causing the battery to leak.

Installing a new battery

To connect the heating device to the system yourself, you must adhere to a certain work technology:

• Assemble the radiator. The lower unused hole is closed with a standard plug, and a Mayevsky tap is mounted on the upper pipe (the drainer will help remove air lock when filling a new heating device).
• Foot nuts with right-hand and left-hand threads are installed on the radiator inlet holes, using paronite seals for sealing (rubber under the influence of high temperatures may dry out and crack).
• The radiator is installed on a stand of suitable height so that the adapter nuts can be connected to the American ones on the ball valves.
• After fitting, markings are made on the wall for installing brackets, holes are drilled and all four fasteners are mounted. To ensure that the battery is secured correctly, check the position of the brackets with a level - it should be horizontal.
• The radiator is connected to the supply pipes (it is important to properly seal all connections) and hung on brackets.

Upon completion of the work, representatives of the management organization fill the system with coolant - at this stage, the tightness of the connections and the heating device itself is checked. Using the Mayevsky tap, bleed the air from the battery when filling the system. To do this, use a special key or screwdriver to turn a special element. When a trickle of water flows from the hole, close the tap.

Pay attention! To replace radiators in the entire apartment, you need to turn off each involved riser one by one, and you need to notify the management company.

Conclusion

Replacing heating batteries in residential apartment buildings is in most cases carried out at your own expense. When purchasing a new radiator, you need to find out whether it can be used as part of a central heating network with high pressure testing and the danger of water hammer. If you have no experience in installing plumbing and heating appliances, it is recommended to hire an experienced specialist who regularly replaces outdated heating appliances with modern models.

Technologies in the field of heating devices are becoming more advanced every year. New generation radiators are much superior in their characteristics to outdated battery models. Therefore, the question of replacing heating radiators in an apartment arises more and more often. Installing modern heating appliances is like buying a new one household appliances, which greatly improves the living conditions in the house.

Why do you need to change batteries?

Heating devices that have been operating in an apartment for many years (especially if they are 20 or more years old) have long exhausted their service life and are unlikely to be able to provide high-quality heating of the room.

Not everyone can boast good heating in his house in winter period time, many blame service companies and bad job boiler rooms But the problem is literally right under our noses. These are batteries that need to be replaced with new ones long ago.

If in private houses you can regulate the heat with your own hands using a valve in a thermal boiler, then in city apartments it is more difficult to do this. Old cast iron batteries simply do not have such functions, and their power is already rather weak. In these cases, replacing the heating batteries in the apartment is simply necessary.

When to replace

It's better to do it in summer time, When central heating disabled. In the summer it is much easier to get a replacement permit from the housing office heating radiators. Usually this point is the most difficult of all, so it’s worth rushing in time when there are no queues. Don’t wait for the beginning of autumn, when the number of people who want to make repairs will increase significantly. Agree that few people enjoy being nervously stuck in line for several hours.

Take into account the fact that old cast iron batteries have long since served their purpose, which means they can become unusable at any time. The consequences of a serious accident will not only be more difficult to eliminate, but also much more expensive. In addition to replacing heating equipment, you will have to make repairs in the apartment. If the situation is absolutely critical, deal with the neighbors below in case of flooding.

Which heating equipment is better to choose?

Replacing radiators in an apartment is a serious matter. Here you won’t be able to come to the store and choose the first model you like. Repairs will be required preliminary calculations. Otherwise, you only risk harming yourself. Miscalculations will not be noticeable immediately, but only during operation, which will be doubly unpleasant. You will have to repair or replace a new unit.

If the technological characteristics of the batteries do not correspond to the operating conditions, then they will not last long. Consider the size of the room, pipe material, design features, or seek advice from professionals. Approach the matter with all responsibility, there is no need to rush.

Modern battery manufacturers (Russian and foreign) offer a varied selection of models made of cast iron, steel, copper, aluminum, or two metals at the same time (bimetallic heating devices). Depending on the material and design features, any battery requires different conditions. When choosing radiators, you need to pay attention to such parameters as:

• maximum coolant temperature;
• pressure and composition;
• heat dissipation

Take into account the appearance and design of the batteries; nowadays a heating device is not only a means of heating a home, it is also a decorative element in the interior.

Before replacing heating radiators in your apartment, take an interest in the features of your heating system. There are different types thermal systems:

• open, used in multi-storey buildings.
• closed, connected to a private house.

These technical parameters are extremely important taking into account the conditions of subsequent operation. For these reasons, be sure to check the permissible temperatures and pressures in the apartment battery data sheet.

Battery passport

Replacing batteries with your own hands in an apartment is complicated by the features of the old heating system, which was used back in Soviet times. Such systems are characterized by periodic surges in pipe pressure and temperature. The situation with the quality of the coolant is no better. The maximum permissible temperature in such systems is +105 degrees, and the pressure is 10 Atm. Sometimes these indicators go off scale when heating is started with the onset of cold weather. Imported batteries are not designed for such overloads and quickly fail. Panel models of aluminum radiators can be used in conditions high pressure. Anodized coating does not require an additional layer of paint and varnish materials.

Another important parameter is heat transfer. After all, the efficiency of heating the room depends on it. The heat transfer itself depends not only on the area of ​​the radiator itself, but also on the metal. In this regard, steel and aluminum have the lowest performance. Maximum heat transfer for cast iron and copper. The quality of heating also depends on the design. Vertical batteries, despite their large area, warm the air worse. In this case, a significant part of the heat accumulates under the ceiling.

When choosing a battery, do not focus on just one indicator. Weigh the pros and cons, assessing all the advantages and disadvantages of heating devices.

What connection material is better to choose?

When replacing radiators, many different materials are used. Before starting repairs, it is important not only to choose the optimal suitable model batteries, but also pipes for connecting to the system. The main connection options are welding (steel requirements), propylene and metal-plastic.

Metal-plastic pipes are the most popular. They are lightweight, affordable and easy to install. Such pipes look neat in the interior. However, metal-plastic has disadvantages. The material burns, and during installation it is necessary to make several connections, the condition of which must be constantly monitored to avoid leaks.

Plastic pipes will be more expensive, but their quality and service life are 100% worth their price. The plastic does not rot, is not susceptible to corrosion, and the connections are highly durable, which reduces the risk of leakage to zero. Plastic has no disadvantages. The only thing that can spoil the mood is incorrect assembly.

Steel pipes are the most durable of all. They are resistant to any damage, heat up well, which means they will also heat the air in the room. The disadvantages of such pipes are the occurrence of rust and complex installation that requires welding.

Selection of fasteners

When replacing heating radiators in an apartment with your own hands, you need to choose the right fasteners. They differ depending on the model of the heating device and the wall material.

Both corner and pin brackets are suitable for fastening sectional batteries. The latter option is used on gypsum, brick and concrete walls, and corner ones are better suited for wooden ones. Corner brackets are attached to the wall using dowels or self-tapping screws. If necessary, fasteners are mounted into the floor. They usually come complete with a battery, for example, along with panel radiators.

Where is the best place to install heating devices?

For maximum efficient heating You need not only to choose the right radiator, but also to position it correctly. The most suitable place for mounting batteries - under the window.

Correct location of the heating radiator

Some models, such as vertical ones, are installed on load-bearing wall anywhere in the room. The radiators located under the window will prevent cold air from the street from entering the room, heating it and lifting it to the ceiling. For proper operation heating device, it is important to maintain the required distance from the wall, window sill and ceiling.

The distance to the wall should be 3 cm, and to the floor and window sill - about 10-15 cm. Some models must be installed at a barely noticeable angle so that air does not accumulate inside.

1. Do not cover heating appliances with curtains, decorative screens or furniture. This will distort the operation of the thermal heads, worsen the heat transfer and efficiency of the device.
2. Water hammer that periodically occurs in the heating system due to pressure changes can lead to damage to radiators. Bimetallic models made of steel and aluminum withstand such loads best. They are installed in the same way as heating devices made of other materials.
3. Take equipment with an increased number of sections (by 10%), since the thermal power indicated in the device’s passport by the manufacturer is not always confirmed during operation.

Pre-assembly of units

The units must be assembled in advance: install the gaskets, tighten all the plugs, screw in all the taps, including the “Mayevsky” tap. Mark the pipes and cut them into required quantity details. Weld corners or tees.

Mayevsky crane

How to negotiate with housing department

When you have prepared all the components and carried out preliminary assembly of the components, it is time to agree with the operational service to turn off the heating riser for half a day or more.

This stage is the most difficult; you often have to deal with persuading workers to use the services of plumbers. You may be convinced that replacing radiators is a complex and dangerous process that requires professional skills. If you are confident in your ability to handle the repairs yourself, stand your ground. The whole procedure will cost approximately 500 rubles.

Dismantling old heating devices

Most often, pipes with radiators are connected using a fitting - a thread onto which a coupling is screwed and secured with a nut. You can try to unscrew it all yourself. If that doesn’t work, then use special anti-corrosion compounds. But if the battery is too old, you will have to act radically - cut it out with a grinder.

While you have not removed the old battery, decide how you will mount the new one:

• along with pipes;
• heating radiator only;

In the first case, there is not much difference in how you remove the old battery. In the second situation, you will have to do everything extremely carefully:

• Try to unscrew all the locknuts. They can be used later when installing a new heating unit.
• Mark the cutting areas. The new battery should be located exactly where the old one was. The slightest miscalculation and you will have to build up the pipes.
• When cutting down pipes, be careful. Leave at least 1 cm of thread intact.
• Once the old battery is disconnected, carefully remove it and remove the brackets from the walls. Remove any burrs from the remaining threads.

Dismantle the remaining batteries in the house, if necessary. In the end, you should be left with only bare pipes. Remove them carefully if you plan to complete replacement heating systems in the house. Cut them after turning towards the neighbors above and below.

Installation of new heating devices

Replacing an old battery with a new one is quite easy.

• Install the new battery in place of the old one and see if the pipes need to be straightened. If necessary, mark and saw off excess.
• Make sure the new radiator is the right size. Make markings for new brackets, there should be at least 3 of them.
• The brackets are mounted into the wall using dowels and sealed with cement mortar.

• Install packaged in protective film radiator on mounts. When doing this, make sure that the bottom edges of the battery rest directly on the brackets.
• All that remains is to connect the battery with the supply pipes at the top and bottom. During the repair process, do not forget to install an air vent in one of the battery holes at the top. Its outlet should be directed strictly towards the ceiling.
• Once you have connected the battery to all communications, remove the protective film from it.

1. Experts recommend installing a special valve or valve to regulate the flow of water in the system. By decreasing or increasing the coolant pressure, you can regulate the temperature in the apartment.
2. This is convenient during repairs, when you need to repair or completely replace only one heating device, without shutting down the entire system.
3. The thermal head is installed together with the valve. They are installed only in single pipe system. Otherwise, the heating devices will not work well.
4. To remove air from the pipes, you need to install a Mayevsky valve on each battery. The air comes down at the very beginning heating season or already in process.

Final system check

After installing heating batteries with your own hands, you must first test the system. Agree with those who drained the water so that after installation they immediately supply it to the pipes under high pressure. Keep in mind that the heating system will only be completely filled with water during the general start-up, so if defects are identified during testing, they must be eliminated in time, without waiting for major problems.

When thinking about how to change heating radiators in an apartment with your own hands, sensibly assess your strengths and financial capabilities. Make a well-thought-out plan of action in case something goes wrong during the renovation. If you are not sure that you can cope on your own, use the services of specialists.

Everyone has to change their heating batteries sooner or later. The reasons may be different: leakage, deterioration of heat transfer, clogging, unpresentable appearance. In any case, there is only one way out - replacement.

In an apartment, replacement of heating batteries should only occur with the permission of the operating organization. The fact is that the heating system is communal property. And any changes to it - replacing pipes and radiators, installing control or shut-off valves - are changes to its design. All these alterations change its hydraulic resistance. This can lead to the fact that no matter how much the coolant is heated, the batteries will remain cold. Therefore, all types of work require a permit: an engineer or foreman will assess how the planned alteration will affect the condition of the system and will issue a permit or not. Before buying batteries, visit the Housing Office, Daewoo, Dispensary, etc. If you do not do this, you will be subject to administrative fines. And the size of the sanctions is quite large.

It is difficult to replace radiators and pipes in an apartment without informing the management company: the system needs to be drained, and it is impossible to do this secretly. Your work will not go unnoticed. In general, in order to drain the water, you need to write an application (before the end of the heating season). In the summer, when the season ends, the team will complete the work.

Selecting heating radiators for apartments and houses

When choosing radiators for your home, everything is simple: if the system is forced circulation (with a pump), install those that you like, or that are compatible with your pipes, boiler, etc. There are some limitations for systems with natural circulation - heating devices with low hydraulic resistance are needed, and these are:

And you will also need to take into account the type of coolant: not all radiators can work with antifreeze. They work fine with non-freezing liquids. In all others, only some models that have undergone special processing can be used. In this case, you need to purposefully look for them. And one more thing - you will need to choose the right sizes (more on this a little later).

When choosing batteries for an apartment, there will be more criteria: the conditions here are more complicated. You should probably start with the sizes. You need to select so that the following distances are observed:

• from the floor - 8-12 cm;
• from the window sill - 10-12 cm;
• from the wall - 3-5 cm.

Moreover, the heating device must cover at least 70-75% of the width of the window opening. Violation of these recommendations leads to a decrease in heat transfer or to the fact that there will be obvious zones of heat and cold.

Then you need to take into account the technical parameters of your system: hydrogen activity Ph of the coolant, the degree of its contamination, maximum temperature, operating and test pressure (at system startup). All these parameters can be found in the Department of Economic Protection, Housing Office, etc. Based on all these criteria, choose the type of radiator. This question is described in detail in the article “”. In short we can say the following:

In other cases, you can install any radiators, but pay attention to technical specifications each model. Even from the same manufacturer they can differ significantly.

And one more point when choosing the thermal power of one section: maximum power- not always a justified approach. It is advisable to comply with SNiP standards: the radiator must cover at least 70-75% of the window width. Only in this case cold air the glass will be effectively cut off and will not fall on the floor. Therefore, a powerful and short battery is far from the best solution.

After permits have been obtained (if necessary), radiators have been selected and purchased, you can begin to replace the heating batteries themselves.

How to change batteries yourself

Briefly, the procedure for replacing radiators is as follows:

• Draining the system.
• Dismantling old radiators and removing old holders, sealing traces from them.
• Marking for new fasteners.
• Installation of brackets.
• Installing fittings on the radiator.
• Radiator mounting.
• Pipeline connection.
• Testing (pressure testing).

Draining the system

In multi-storey buildings, this is done by employees of the operating organization upon your written application. In a private house, you will need to open the drain tap, place a container or run a hose into the sewer and pour out the water.

In some cases, you can work on a full system: if there are shut-off valves at the radiator inlet, the connection of new ones is the same, replacement of pipes is not planned. Moreover, the connection should not be welded, but with threaded connections. Then just block it ball valves and start replacing. With such an organization, you can change or repair heating devices at any time, even during the season.

The first step when replacing heating batteries is to drain the system

But for vertical single-pipe distribution, it is also necessary to install a bypass in front of the taps. Coolant will flow through it if you have disconnected or removed the radiator. Without this piece of pipe, the heating throughout the entire riser will stop: there will be no movement of coolant. Therefore, with a single pipe system, the best connection is with a bypass and shut-off valves. If this is not the case, you can change the radiators in the apartment only after the end of the heating season.

Radiator removal

The method of carrying out the work depends on the type of connection. If the connections are threaded, the nuts are simply unscrewed; if the radiators are welded, they are cut off. At this stage, you will need more containers for the coolant - some of it still remains in the pipes and radiators. The most convenient ones are basins, ideally if they are rectangular.

You can unscrew the nuts using adjustable or open-end wrenches. There may be problems if these are old cast iron radiators that have stood for decades. Then it happens that the carving boils so much that it is difficult to move it. In this case, try to heat the connection with a blowtorch.

With old fasteners the situation is similar: where possible, the holders are unscrewed, where it is impossible, they are cut off. The hooks walled up in the walls, on which old cast iron was hung, can only be cut off. Only before this it is necessary to remove a certain layer of plaster around it - this way it will be possible to cut them off enough so that they do not stick out from the wall.

Then the marks from the fastenings are repaired and the wall is leveled. Many manufacturers have a mandatory warranty condition: install on smooth walls. And the point is not in aesthetics, but in heat transfer - heat rays are better reflected from a smooth wall.

Marking and installation of new fasteners

How to install a heating battery correctly? Strictly in the middle of the window opening. Therefore, you need to find the middle on the wall and mark it. Then determine where the fasteners will be located on the radiator. Heating devices sectional type hung on at least three brackets: two on top - right and left, one on the bottom in the middle. If there are many sections (more than 10-12), three hooks may be required on top and two on the bottom. Having decided how many holders you need, measure the distances on the assembled battery and mark it on the wall.

Now hang the radiator on the brackets. Be sure to check its verticality and horizontality and, if necessary, adjust the position of the holders. The heater must hang strictly horizontally. A slight skew is allowed in the direction where the air vent is installed (upper manifold, opposite the supply connection). This side may be 1 cm higher than the other. Reverse slope is not allowed.

Connecting pipelines

The question often arises: how to properly install a heating battery. There are several side-connection schemes, but only three are the most effective and common:

If the heat transfer of radiators is insufficient, the first idea that comes to mind is to increase the number of sections. But such a measure may not improve, but only worsen the situation. Either replacing the connection type with a more efficient one (diagonal) or (easier to implement) installing a flow extender will help.

This is a long tube with a squeegee that is inserted into the supply manifold. It conducts the coolant further, as a result it is distributed more evenly. The length of the tube is either up to ¾ of the width of the radiator or up to the middle of the last section. IN different situations work better different options. First of all, put it to the last section; if the result is “not very good”, cut off a piece of the tube. This is very effective way increase heat transfer if the radiator does not heat well. Changing the connection to a diagonal one may work better, but technically this is more difficult to implement - you need to work with pipes. And the flow extender is simply placed in the fitting (adapter).

Now you know how to change batteries in an apartment or house, and how to increase their heat transfer. It’s not easy, but no special education is required.

Results

Replacing heating batteries is not the easiest, but also not the most difficult process. It is more difficult to do this in an apartment, firstly, due to legal subtleties, and secondly, due to more difficult operating conditions. Nevertheless, even a non-specialist can handle replacing heating radiators with his own hands.

When the heating system of a house, after many years of operation, ceases to give the expected result and properly heat the premises, it is time to think about carrying out unscheduled preventative maintenance. Of course, there is no need to rush to hasty conclusions. The equipment must be thoroughly inspected and, if possible, cleaned. But if nothing helps, or it is too old, then the batteries in the apartment need to be replaced with more modern and efficient ones.

Video on how to replace the battery in an apartment

Getting ready for work

Any job, even the simplest at first glance, begins with good preparation. It is recommended to replace radiators and pipe lines during the off-season period, when there is no need for heating. In an apartment building, do not forget about the people living next door.

In a private house, everyone is their own boss, so turning off the water will not be difficult. IN apartment building It is not recommended to do this without permission from utility services. If someone complains about what is happening, they have the right to issue a fine.

Required materials

The preparatory stage is not limited only to notifying utility workers and reaching an agreement with neighbors. One of the issues discussed in the instructions on how to change the battery in an apartment is preparing everything you need. You will not be able to do without a torque wrench - it will allow you to tighten threaded connections as accurately as possible.

Having previously made measurements and calculations, you should purchase radiators and pipes, couplings, taps and other components of the system. American ones at the entrances and exits will not hurt, allowing you to quickly turn off the heating.

Consumables and torque wrenches are only part of what is needed. To work you will probably need:

1. Electric tools (grinder, drill, hammer drill)
2. Adjustable wrenches and wrenches
3. Soldering device
4. Drawing supplies
5. Roulette and level

Can't do without building materials which will be needed for finishing premises. It is unlikely that you should count on laying new pipes and installing radiators without touching, for example, the wallpaper.

Removing old batteries

In most cases, heating devices are connected to pipes using a conduit. It is an oblong thread onto which the coupling is screwed and then secured with a lock nut.

First you need to try to unscrew everything with your own efforts. If they do not lend themselves, you can use special anti-corrosion compounds, for example, WD-40. When working with very old batteries, you should be prepared for more worst case scenario– the pipe connection will need to be cut using a grinder.

On at this stage When replacing batteries in an apartment, you should think about and answer the question of how the heating system will be dismantled:

• Completely, along with pipe lines
• Partially, exclusively heating radiators

In the first case, you don’t have to worry about how the old batteries will be removed. In the second you will have to be much more careful:

1. First, try to unscrew the lock nuts on all wiring, so as not to spend money on new ones
2. Next, marks are placed at the cutting sites. In order for the new radiator to be positioned evenly and not have to extend the pipes, you need to make sure that the latter are cut at the same level
3. In this case, it is necessary to leave more than 1 cm of threaded end on each of the pipes
4. Once disconnected, the old batteries are carefully removed and the brackets holding them are removed from the walls.
5. The remaining section of the thread is put in order, burrs are removed

After going through the entire house, you need to dismantle each of the units that will be replaced. As a result, only pipes will remain, which, in case of further replacement, are also carefully removed.

Laying heating pipes

Once the old heating system is removed, it's time to think about a new one. One of the questions in the instructions on how to change the battery in an apartment is the method of laying new pipes. First of all, one of two options is selected:

• Open
• Hidden

From an aesthetic point of view, hidden gasket is much better. Communications will be hidden from human eyes. However this method has a number of disadvantages:

• It is difficult to continue maintenance systems
• The cost of the work being carried out increases, and the estimate will include additional costs for construction materials
• A certain percentage of the heat will go to heating the decorative structure

Benefits of open heating systems owing to which they are preferred are obvious to everyone:

• More low cost installation work, since materials are consumed in minimal quantities
• The pipes are in direct contact with environment, thereby eliminating heat loss
• Simple further maintenance of communications
• Small time costs for laying pipes

Hidden pipe laying

As noted, hidden pipe laying is labor-intensive and time-consuming work. First, prepare:

• For natural circulation The coolant pipe is placed directly into the suspended ceiling, and the outlet risers are run along a protective decorative box
• For forced circulation a good solution would be to lay pipes in the walls or floor
• Markings are applied to the working surfaces and grooves are made with a hammer drill or grinder

The pipe is secured directly in the grooves with clips. In this case, near future radiators, the line should end with removable threaded adapters.

You should start decorating surfaces only after all the batteries are in place and ready.

Open pipe laying

Laying pipes using the open method is more popular. At the first stage you need to install radiators, expansion tank, boiler and other heating equipment.

In order for the pipes to look aesthetically pleasing, their exact location should be calculated. Diagrams sketched on paper taking into account the location of the furniture will not be superfluous.

Open laying can be organized in one of the following ways:

• The upper discharge pipe of large internal cross-section is laid between the radiator plugs under the window sill, while the pipe running along the bottom is led along the floor
• Both pipes are routed along the floor, but this the method will work only with forced circulation
• For natural coolant circulation, the lower pipe is placed directly near the floor, and the upper pipe is placed as high as possible

Having decided on the method of laying the pipe line, you need to mark the walls and install retaining clips. The frequency of their location is 1-2 m. It is necessary to take into account that it is recommended to make the areas between the radiators solid. In non-standard areas, two clips are placed at the junction points - on one side and on the other.

Particular attention is paid to branches and turns. Before trimming, you will have to take careful measurements and have a design and engineering vision.

Installation of new batteries

Before installing heating radiators in the apartment, you need to calculate everything again and accurately measure their location. In this case, you should not violate the rules prescribed in specialized documents. (SNiP):

1. Approximate distance between the floor and the bottom edge is 15 cm
2. The approximate distance between the window sill and the top edge is 15 cm
3. The gap between the radiator and the wall is at least 2 cm

First you need to secure the brackets on which the new radiators will be hung. Then nuts are put on them. All connections must be well sealed to prevent water leakage. It is also recommended to apply tow. It would be a good idea to have taps at each entrance.

The final working stage will be to check the entire heating system for operability. To do this, one end should be plugged, and on the other side, create a pressure with a pump or compressor that exceeds the working one by 1-2 atmospheres. If after some time the readings of the measuring pressure gauge do not change, you can screw in all connections and connect to the central system.

Additional video

Let's sum it up

There is definitely something difficult and impossible to do in how to change the battery in an apartment. However, count on light work also not necessary. After completing the work, it is recommended to call a technician and let him verify that the system is assembled correctly.