Content
An important condition for effective and safe operation heating units - no cracks in the masonry of stoves and fireplaces, tightness of metal chimneys of heating boilers. Heat-resistant sealant helps to increase the reliability of structures, if used during installation, and also serves as a repair compound, allowing you to seal cracks and gaps at joints.
A variety of high temperature and refractory sealants
Why is tightness needed?
Brick stoves and fireplaces are prone to cracking due to uneven heating of the masonry, especially if it is not protected by a layer of plaster or tiles. If the cracks in the body of the heating unit turn out to be through, this entails unpleasant consequences:
- fuel is consumed faster, since it burns under conditions of additional oxygen supply;
- soot can enter the room and settle on the walls and ceiling;
- combustion products, primarily carbon dioxide, enter the room, which can cause poisoning.
Cracks in a brick chimney, cracks in a metal pipe for removing combustion products reduce draft, and the heating unit cannot work in optimal mode... This leads to the fact that the fuel burns at lower temperatures, forming a lot of ash, on inside more soot settles in the chimney.
Large amounts of soot and chimney leaks are a dangerous combination. The intake of air causes the soot to flare up, and it burns at temperatures above 1500 ° C, causing the chimney to glow. An insufficiently thick layer of thermal insulation around the pipe will not save wooden structures from charring; there is a serious risk of fire.
For gas boilers, chimney leakage results in gusts of wind extinguishing the burner. To avoid the need to regularly check the functioning of the boiler, the gaps in the flue duct are sealed with a special sealant.
Modern materials for sealing heating units
Fireplace and Stove Sealant - polymer material, similar in structure to a paste. It can be one-component or two-component. One-component adhesive sealant is usually packaged in tubes for assembly gun, this is the most convenient option for work. The two-component material is used only by professionals, since errors are not allowed when mixing the composition - you need skill to properly prepare the working material.
High Temperature Oven Sealant For the installation and repair of stoves, fireplaces and heating boilers, special high-temperature compositions, according to the scope and material of manufacture, they are divided into two types:
- Heat resistant sealants... Designed for areas where heating does not exceed 350 ° C. Suitable for sealing cracks and seams outdoor masonry stoves and fireplaces, (but not in places of contact with molding!), for sealing chimneys made of bricks and sandwich pipes. For a single metal chimney, a heat-resistant composition is allowed to be used only if it is a chimney of a pyrolysis or condensing boiler - in this case, the temperature of the exhaust gases does not exceed 150 ° C.
- Heat-resistant and fire-resistant sealants... The high-temperature sealant is designed for use inside the combustion chamber, at the points of contact between the masonry and the casting. It is used to seal any chimneys, including for the joint with the outlet of the furnace. Flame retardant sealant is a type of heat resistant sealant that can withstand direct contact with a flame. Not all heat-resistant compounds are fire-resistant (fireproof), when buying, pay attention to the labels on the packaging.
It is necessary to choose an assembly and repair composition for boilers and furnaces taking into account the temperature regime of the zone where they will be used. By composition, sealants are divided into silicone and silicate.
Heat-resistant compounds
Thermosealant is a silicone-based material. Due to the introduction of iron oxide into the composition, the material has a reddish-brown tint. Manufacturers offer silicone sealants with different temperature thresholds, specific data are indicated on the packaging.
Note! High-temperature silicone sealant, which is produced in ordinary tubes and is actively used by motorists, cannot be used to repair stoves and chimneys. This material is acid-based and is incompatible with cement mortar and corrosive metals. The acid released during solidification reacts with materials to form salts or oxides. The formed brittle layer is destroyed, and the seam loses its tightness.
The neutral heat-resistant silicone sealant is compatible with all materials and dries to release alcohols and water.
High temperature silicone sealant Its advantages include:
- resistance to UV radiation - the material is suitable for sealing cracks on the outer part of the chimney, roof penetration joints;
- hydrophobicity - due to waterproofness, it is used to seal the joints of penetrations to the waterproofing of the roof;
- high adhesion to materials of different structure, including brick, cement, metal;
- preservation of elasticity after drying - the tightness of the connection will not be disturbed by small vibrations.
Attention! High-temperature silicone is universal in use - it is successfully used for sealing threaded connections when installing heating circuits.
Work with a heat-resistant composition
Heat-resistant sealant for stoves and fireplaces is applied to a clean, degreased surface. If the material was moistened during cleaning, wait until it is completely dry. It is recommended to sand the metal surface so that the applied composition is held stronger.
Furnace preparation before coating with sealant Silicone paste needs air to cure. Therefore, the thickness of the joint must not exceed the values indicated by the manufacturer.
The curing rate is a parameter calculated on the use of a silicone compound at a temperature of about 23 degrees and a humidity of about 50%. Under real conditions, the polymerization rate can be higher or lower than indicated. At low temperatures, the paste hardens more slowly.
Due to the elasticity of the material, it cannot be stained - the dried paint crumbles from it. Silicone pastes for stoves and chimneys have a red or Brown color. Transparent materials on a silicone base can not be used!
Heat-resistant formulations
The heat-resistant sealant is a silicate-based sealing paste. In normal operating mode, such material can withstand heating up to 1300 degrees, with short-term exposure - up to 1600 degrees. Refractory sealant is a kind of heat-resistant sealant that is not afraid of contact with fire.
Heat-resistant sealant for stoves and fireplaces Silicate pastes are intended for the installation of fireclay masonry in the furnace, for the treatment of casting installation sites, for the repair of heating boilers (elimination of leaks). The same composition is suitable for the installation of metal single-wall chimneys and sandwiches - they are glued to the joints of the modules, fistulas are closed.
Work with a heat-resistant composition
The heat-resistant composition has high adhesion to bricks and cement. It adheres well to metal if the surface is pre-treated with an abrasive material and degreased. Before applying the silicate composition, a brick or other porous material is dedusted, degreased and necessarily moistened with water - this is the main difference between the technology and the use of silicone heat-resistant material.
Repair and installation work using silicate paste is allowed only at positive temperatures (from +5 to +40 degrees). But at temperatures below +20 degrees, the composition dries longer than the period specified by the manufacturer. Excess composition is immediately removed with a damp cloth so that you do not have to scrape off the dried paste from the surface of the masonry. The thickness of the seam must correspond to the parameters specified in the instructions for use, otherwise the material will not gain the required strength and crack.
Filling the joint between bricks with heat-resistant sealant Heat-resistant oven masonry sealant is inelastic and should therefore not be used where the joint is subject to deformation and vibration. Under such influence, the dried composition will crumble. At the same time, the inelasticity of the material allows it to be painted in any chosen color. The paste itself is gray or black. When working with it, you must use protective gloves, since the sealant can cause a chemical burn if it comes into contact with the skin.
The silicate composition makes it possible to mount a collapsible chimney - metal pipes"Set" on the oven sealant, while only the joint itself is processed. If it is necessary to disassemble the structure, it is enough to loosen the connection - the dried paste will crumble.
Note! When using oven sealant, it is important to follow the manufacturer's directions. Some silicate formulations require drying for several hours, changing the rate of combustion of the fuel. The drying mode is described in detail on the package.
Silicate paste is used to fill the masonry joints of stoves and fireplaces. In order not to spoil the appearance of the furnace without lining, carefully glue the bricks before grouting masking tape... The cost of time and effort will pay off aesthetically appearance masonry.
Popular brands
There are sealing materials on the market for stoves, fireplaces and chimneys. They are chosen according to their composition and temperature regime exploitation. It is recommended to use products from reputable manufacturers.
Soudal
Soudal (Saudal) - a Belgian company that specializes in the manufacture of sealing compounds. Soudal stove and fireplace sealant is the Soudal series.
Soudal oven sealant Calofer, refractory compounds in black. Materials based on sodium silicate do not emit toxic substances when heated, they can be colored. Suitable for sealing cast iron elements of boiler units. One of the advantages of Belgian products is their resistance to cracking and crumbling.
Penosil
The Estonian company produces silicate paste for Penosil +1500 ovens. The material is highly heat-resistant and has a black color. Penosil is cheaper than the products of the famous Belgian manufacturer, but not inferior to him in quality. This makes the Estonian sealant highly sought after by professionals and DIYers. The company's product line also includes a silicone sealant, Renosil Hight Temp, suitable for use on movable joints due to its elasticity.
Oven sealant Penosil Premium Tytan
Under this brand, sealing compounds are produced by the Selena Group - the group Polish manufacturers professional materials for construction and decoration. The composition of the sealing paste contains fiberglass, which provides the sealed joints with increased gas tightness. The material is designed for heating to high temperatures (1250 degrees), which makes it suitable for sealing joints and cracks in fireplace and stove masonry, for installing chimneys. Products of the Tytan brand, as well as a sealant of similar properties, which is produced under the Baumaster trademark, belong to the average price category... In terms of price and quality, it is the best option for a wide range of consumers.
Silicate sealant for fireplaces Tytan Makroflex
The well-known Estonian manufacturer of sealing materials supplies the market with refractory silicate composition Makroflex HA147. It can withstand short-term heating up to high temperature+1500 degrees and exposure to open flame. The advantages of the paste of their inorganic materials include adhesion to most materials used in construction, and the absence of shrinkage during drying and under the influence of temperature fluctuations.
Refractory silicate sealant Makroflex Krass
The Russian manufacturer offers refractory composition "Krass fireplaces and stoves". Using this material, fireclay masonry can be mounted in the furnace firebox, fire retardant masonry. The composition withstands a sharp increase in temperature, is not afraid open fire, suitable for renovation brick ovens and fireplaces, as well as heating boilers. It is a non-shrinking material made on the basis of liquid glass... Easy to apply due to its pasty consistency.
High-temperature silicate sealant Krass Therefore
Sealing heating units requires the use of highly specialized materials, each of which has its own subtleties of application. It is important to carefully compare performance when choosing formulations, even for the same application. They may differ in the requirements for drying conditions during installation and operational parameters.
Sealant for a home heating system: rules for selection and filling
2.5 (50%) votes: 2Any heating system, even the highest quality, will sooner or later require renovation works... The most lightweight, convenient and quite in a practical way elimination of the leaks that have appeared is the use of a sealant for the heating system of the house.
You can find out the price and buy heating equipment and related products from us. Write, call and come to one of the shops in your city. Delivery throughout the territory of the Russian Federation and the CIS countries.
Liquid sealant for heating systems closed type HeatGuardex BLOCKSEAL 100 HD
Varieties
A variety of sealing products are currently in use.
All sealants are suitable for certain living conditions, however, for the reconstruction of heating equipment, special sealants for heating systems will be optimal.
Based on the chemical composition, the following types of sealing agents are distinguished:
- Acrylic. They are characterized by low stability, intolerance to temperature changes.
- Polyurethane. They have elastic properties, are distinguished by high adhesion to metals, as well as resistance to temperature extremes and corrosion processes.
- Silicone. The most common type of universal sealants, they are always elastic and resistant to moisture in a wide temperature range, they serve for a long time.
Silicone sealant to eliminate a leak in a heating system with metal elements, only a neutral variety should be used, but not acidic at all, since the acetic acid contained in the acidic sealing agent will provoke rapid rusting of the metal.
Anaerobic blue sealant for threaded and flanged metal connections
Temperature-resistant heating pipe sealant is used specifically for materials made of metal and polymers. This tool does an excellent job of its task - it prevents moisture from penetrating from damaged elements of the heating system.
A sealant that is a viscous mass that hardens quickly at the application site and is resistant to heat in the future.
When sealing threaded joints in modern heating systems, instead of linen tow and FUM tape, anaerobic adhesive sealant is used.
Such a tool does not harm the environment and is used in heating and water supply networks.
When using adhesive sealant, there is no need to use other sealing methods for threaded connections.
A sealing agent in the case of heating boilers is necessary to eliminate cracks in places where material resistance to temperatures up to 1500 ° C is required.
The sealant allows sealing gaps in and flue gas ducts of boilers and stoves. After hardening in the seams between surfaces made of various materials(metal, brick, concrete) the product keeps tightness.
In addition, sealants for heating systems based on oligomers are distinguished. They also have different terminal functional groups:
- polyurethane;
- polysiloxane;
- polysulfide.
They are often used when construction works... They, in some brands, can be used to seal heating systems. However, when choosing such options, it is imperative to study the manufacturer's instructions.
Heating system liquid sealant
For repair work of the heating system, it is not always possible to use external means. What should be done, for example, if the leakage area cannot be detected due to the fact that hidden piping was made in the housing and a heated floor was installed? The thought of having to break down walls and open floors is not particularly encouraging. In such cases, use a fairly new way getting rid of leaks - by pouring liquid sealant for heating pipes into the system. This sealant is also suitable for radiators where it is not possible to clamp the leak.
The peculiarity of liquid sealants for the heating system is their ability to remove leaks not by applying to the damaged area from the outside, but directly from the inside.
The high resistance to high temperatures of some special sealants makes it possible to use them for quick repair heating boilers.
The essence of this method is that, together with the coolant, the sealing agent remains liquid, and only when it comes into contact with the air entering the system does it polymerize. After hardening, the accumulations of sealant seal the cracks from the inside, specifically in those places where the integrity of the system is broken.
Several varieties of liquid sealants can be found on the market, and they are all designed for specific conditions of use, including:
- In systems where water acts as a heat carrier either.
- In gas or solid fuel boilers.
- In pipes for water supply and heating.
In emergency situations, you can fill the heating system with a sealant that is used for radiators in cars.
No need to look for one universal remedy for sealing. It is more efficient to buy a specialized composition for certain parameters of your own heating system.
A popular among buyers is a liquid sealant for the heating system, which is produced by BCG from Germany. The use of this brand is considered a great solution to remove hidden leaks of thermal media. When used correctly, the liquid sealant is not hazardous to boilers and does not harm the circulation pump or measuring instruments.
Sealant for pipes and heating batteries must be in the system long time... Once you add this sealant to it, you can forget about leaks for the next few years.
Means for sealing in closed heating systems eliminate pressure losses associated with leaks in pipes and radiators, but they will not be able to help out in the event of a violation membranes in the expansion tank.
Preparatory work before using the sealant
The selection of a sealing agent for heating systems is carried out taking into account the type of the latter and the heat carrier used. If you make a mistake with the choice, then this can contribute to the clogging of pipes in arbitrary sections.
It was mentioned above in the article that the market currently offers three options for liquid sealants, based on the conditions of use. This should be noted.
It is worth deciding on the required concentration of the agent added to the coolant. The quality of sealing the resulting leak largely depends on this. If the system loses up to 80 liters of the total volume of the heat carrier per day, then adding one liter of sealing agent is enough.
The total volume of the house heating system is calculated by adding the volumes of the pipeline networks (pipe length by diameter), radiators and boiler (from the technical passport).
Another method can be used. Drain the coolant into one container of a specific volume.
Let's move on to setting up the heating system for filling.
All the air must be vented! Otherwise, the sealant will polymerize on contact with air, which will lead to accumulations in the heating pipes.
All taps present in the network should be opened, this will allow the agent to circulate freely and remain in all working areas of the heating system. In the first standing radiator (in the direction of circulation of the agent), it is worth completely unscrewing and installing a pump in this place, with which the sealant ends in the system.
After that, you need to start the heating and warm it up to 60 ° C. In time it will take about an hour, one and a half (in country house). The pressure in the system must be at around 1.5 bar.
Before starting all the above work, all installed filters are blocked or removed, because the sealing agent that has got into them will completely disable them.
Fill
Approximately a bucket of heated heat carrier is poured into a separate clean container. In the other - another half a bucket (for future washing). The product is worth chatting and pouring into a bucket. Make sure that the sealant does not come into contact with air for a long time. It needs to be quickly pumped into the heating system.
Again, air is removed from the networks.
The sealant circulates through the heating circuits for several hours. The entire process of sealing gaps and leaks will be completed in four days. On the fifth day, you need to test the system under strong pressure.
And remember, heating system sealant is definitely worth using to prevent leaks. And even though its cost will seem quite high to many. Hidden reconstruction of heating pipes is both convenience, and at the same time, a certain risk, for which sometimes you have to pay.
Any, even the highest quality, heating system (CO), sooner or later, needs repair. The simplest, most convenient and sufficient effective method elimination of leaks that have arisen (especially in CO, recessed into the wall) is the use of a material such as a sealant for a home heating system.
There are a lot of sealants on the market today for various purposes and composition. All brands can be divided into several main groups (by type and chemical composition of the base).
Oligomer based sealants
They also have different terminal functional groups:
- Polyurethane;
- Polysulfide;
- Polysiloxane.
They are widely used in construction and, in some modifications, can be used to seal CO. But, when choosing such brands, it is imperative that you first familiarize yourself with the manufacturer's instructions.
Acrylic
Only some brands are suitable for use for the repair of CO, because most of such products poorly withstand temperature drops and significant temperatures.
You should choose a liquid sealant for the heating system.
Thiokol
They are used exclusively in construction and do not belong to the group of heat-resistant sealants.
Silicone
They represent a versatile group of sealants. They also include heat-resistant (high-temperature) sealants, which, first of all, can be recommended for performing work on sealing CO in apartments and individual houses.
This sealant for eliminating leaks in the heating system has the required durability and temperature resistance. It comes to retail chains in two forms: liquid and pasty. The last performance provides increased performance the thixotropy of the sealant.
It is characterized by excellent adhesion to almost any surface and vulcanization of the original composition at room temperature, resistance to aggressive substances and moisture, significant elasticity. The material seeps easily into any cracks and joints and is environmentally friendly.
The mentioned sealant for heating pipes is designed for operation at temperatures of -60 ° / + 250 ° and has the ability to preserve its properties for a short time at + 300 °.
When using such sealants, it must be remembered that they, in turn, are divided into two groups:
- neutral;
- acidic.
When used to eliminate places of leakage of CO, if the latter includes metal elements, acid sealants are not applicable. Since the acetic acid included in their formulation accelerates the corrosion processes.
Depending on the tasks to be solved, a sealant is selected to eliminate leaks in the heating system. The sealing of the threaded joints is perfectly performed by a paste-like silicone sealant. Currently there are brands:
- Drying sealant. After complete drying, it shrinks, which can (if the drying technology is violated) lead to streaks and cracks;
- Non-drying sealants. An excellent choice for sealing small leaks and sealing threaded connections (easier to disassemble). Disadvantage - squeezed out under overpressure in a system of joints.
Anaerobic sealants (a type of acrylic) are also widely in demand for sealing heating systems. This sealant for heating radiators is resistant to temperature fluctuations, has the necessary strength to mechanical influences, alkaline and acid solutions (which allows you to clean CO with special chemical compositions).
When it gets into any closed airless space (crack, etc.), it fills the entire volume and quickly hardens, forming a homogeneous polymer mass. This reduces the required effort when screwing threaded connections, but makes them very difficult to dismantle.
How to use a sealant to repair a leak?
It is far from always possible to carry out the repair of CO only with external means (hidden wiring, underfloor heating). In this case, a universal heat-resistant liquid sealant for heating pipes is poured into the system.
In cases where the elimination of an emergency requires immediate action, and the required brand of sealant is not available, you can use a sealant of those brands that are intended for car radiators.
Preparation for work
A sealant for heating boilers is selected taking into account the type of the latter and the heat carrier used. An error in the choice can cause blockage of the CO pipes in arbitrary places.
Modern liquid brands of sealants for the intended purpose are usually divided into three groups (according to the conditions of use):
- for operation on CO, in which either water or antifreeze acts as a coolant;
- for sealing CO pipes (water supply);
- the heating boiler is running on solid fuel, or on gas.
The best solution today is BCG's German heating liquid sealant. Eliminates leaks and does not negative impact to the boiler and installed in the central heating system.
It is important to determine the required concentration of the binder to be added to the coolant. This largely determines the quality of stopping the leaks that have arisen. If during the day up to 80 liters of the total volume of the coolant flows out of the system, then it is enough to add 1 liter of sealant.
The total volume of house CO is calculated as the sum of the volumes of pipelines (pipe length per diameter), batteries and a boiler (from the data sheet).
It can be made easier. Drain the coolant into a single container (s) of a known volume.
High-temperature sealant for heating boilers and heating systems as a whole is added to the system for more than one year, and allows to eliminate leaks during this period, preventing a drop in CO pressure. But only in pipes or radiators. If a malfunction occurs in the expansion tank, the above method will not help.
Setting up CO for pouring
All (IMPORTANT!) Air is vented. Otherwise, the sealant, under the influence of the air remaining in the system, will begin to polymerize in any places, which can lead to the formation of blood clots in the CO pipes.
All valves in the system should be opened, which will allow the sealant to circulate freely and get into all working areas of the CO. In the first radiator (along the path of the sealant movement), you should completely unscrew the Mayevsky valve and put a pump in this place, with which the sealant is pumped into the system. After that, you should start the heating system and warm it up to a temperature of 60 ° (it will take about an hour - one and a half, in a private house). In this case, the pressure in the system must be at 1.5 bar.
Before the start of the mentioned work, all installed filters are blocked or removed, because the sealant trapped in them will completely disable them.
Pouring process
Approximately a bucket of heated coolant is drained into a separate clean container. another 0.5 buckets into the other (for subsequent rinsing). Shake the sealant and add to the bucket. Avoid prolonged contact of the solution with air. It should be promptly pumped into CO.
Perform air removal from the CO lines again.
The solution disperses through the system within a few hours. Complete sealing of all cracks and leaks will be completed within 4 days. On the fifth, check the system under excess pressure (pressure test).
Liquid sealant in the heating system is a self-sealing solution that blocks water leakage at the joints and joints of parts. Varieties of solution are used both outside and inside water systems to eliminate leaks. The sealant thickens on contact with air, which enters the system where there are leaks.
Reasons for using liquid sealant inside the pipeline:
- Cannot find the place of the leak;
- There is no way to fix the leak with soldering or a clamp;
- At hidden installation heating pipes;
- In the presence of a warm floor.
Advice! In cases where a specific leak cannot be detected, before using a liquid sealant, it is worth making sure that the expansion tank is working correctly. A malfunction of the membrane of the latter causes a decrease in pressure in the heating system.
Liquid sealants can be classified by composition:
- Acrylic. Unstable to temperature changes;
- Polyurethane. Ductile, have good adhesion to metals, are not afraid of rust and temperature changes;
- Silicone. They do not lose elasticity and waterproofness in heat and cold, durable and versatile.
Fact! Silicone sealant containing acetic acid is not suitable for use with metal parts... The acid will cause a rapid corrosive process.
Sealing threaded connections
H2_2Anaerobic sealants
Anaerobic sealant is a separate group. Resistance to temperature fluctuations, mechanical stress, good neutralization of leaks made it possible to use an anaerobic solution even in rocketry. In heating systems, the main advantage is the resistance of the substance to compounds containing acid and alkali. Due to this property, the anaerobic sealant in the system does not interfere with cleaning with chemical compounds and the use of various heat transfer fluids.
In a liquid state, anaerobic solution exists only in the presence of air. Once in a closed space between the parts, it easily fills up all the remaining free space and hardens quickly. The latter quality gives the reliability of the threaded fixation and frees from great physical efforts when screwing parts.
Important! The rigid adhesion that the anaerobic solution creates is a serious obstacle when dismantling heating structures. Disassembling the retainers will require good warm-up, as well as the use of additional tools.
Preparatory measures before filling the sealant
Before buying, you need to decide on the choice of sealant. The type of solution depends on the type of heating boiler and the type of heating medium. The same liquid sealant is not suitable for all boilers. Mistakes in the choice of sealant and incorrect use will lead to blockage of the pipe connections.
The concentration of the binder in the water of the heating system is important for stopping leaks. It depends on the volume of the coolant and the amount of water loss per day, up to 80 liters the total water, 1 liter of sealant is used. The calculation of the volume is derived from the product of the footage of all heating pipes by their diameter. The sum of the volumes of all boilers and batteries is added to the result. These values are specified in technical characteristics, you can clarify them by reading the passport of the device.
Advice! There is a simpler, but laborious way to find out the amount of water in the system - pour the drained liquid into containers with a known volume (tanks, buckets).
Setting up the system for pouring
Air is completely removed from the pipelines. Its presence will cause a reaction and the formation of unwanted sealant clots outside the leak.
All valves of the heating system open for free circulation and penetration of the sealant into all working areas. At the first radiator along the path of the coolant, the Mayevsky tap is removed, and a pump is installed in its place. The running system warms up to 60 degrees for about an hour. The pressure should be up to 1 bar.
Before starting work, all filters must be neutralized. They are dismantled or blocked. Sealing solution will clog and damage the filter.
Sealant pouring process
A bucket of hot coolant is drained into a previously prepared container. Another half a bucket is taken separately, for subsequent rinsing of the container, in order to get all the components into the heating system. The sealant is shaken and added to the pail of drained liquid. The solution should not be in contact with open air for a long time, therefore it is immediately pumped into the system by the pump. The procedure for removing air from the pipes is repeated.
To distribute the sealing compound over the heating fluid, the temperature up to 60 ° C and the pressure up to 1.5 bar are maintained for several hours. The seal is created by polymerizing the sealant. This process takes 3-4 days of continuous operation of the heating system. On the fifth day, a pressure check and a leak is checked.
Often, a substance such as a sealant is used. From the name it is easy to guess that it is intended to ensure the tightness of the joints and eliminate leaks. In this article, we will look at which radiator sealant is best and how to apply it.
Primary requirements
A sealant for heating radiators may be needed not only during the installation of the latter, but also during repair, for example, when the batteries are disassembled into sections or a leak appears in them. The use of this substance will guarantee the tightness of all joints, which will not break even after heating.
It should be noted that currently there is a rich assortment on the market different types sealants that are designed for different purposes. Of course, this complicates the choice a little.
Therefore, in order not to be mistaken, first of all, one should decide on the basic requirements that a given substance must meet.
So, given the conditions in which the sealant will be used, it can be concluded that it must have the following qualities:
- Heat resistance;
- Resistance to deformation;
- Moisture resistance;
- Resistant to temperature extremes.
Below we will consider what types of sealants meet these requirements.
Types of sealants
According to their composition, sealants are divided into three types:
- Acrylic- are unstable, do not tolerate temperature extremes.
- Polyurethane- they are characterized by elasticity, good adhesion to metal surfaces, resistance to corrosion and high temperatures.
- Silicone- are the most common type of sealants due to their versatility. Moreover, this tool retains moisture resistance and elasticity in a fairly wide range of temperature conditions.
- Liquid polymer- are used in heating systems specifically to eliminate leaks. They are a liquid that polymerizes on contact with air.
Below we will take a closer look at the most common types of sealants.
Universal silicone
The most common today is a universal heat-resistant sealant, which is most often used for sealing joints. This composition has all the necessary qualities.
In particular, among its properties, the following points can be distinguished:
- Good strength;
- The composition is quite liquid and fluid, due to which it is able to penetrate even the narrowest cracks;
- Good elasticity.
Note! For radiators, you can use only a neutral variety of silicone compounds, but not acidic ones, since acid causes active corrosion of the metal.
I must say that this sealant is used not only for, but also used in other household purposes, as well as in industry.
Polyurethane
A distinctive feature of these compounds is durability and resistance to aggressive environments, as well as mechanical stress. In addition, the advantages include the economy of the composition.
It should be noted that polyurethane sealants are one- and two-component. The former take longer to freeze, however, their price is lower. I must say that despite the mass positive qualities, polyurethane compounds are less common in the home than silicone ones, as they are more expensive.
Liquid polymer
All of the above formulations are intended for external application to a radiator or threaded connections. But, in some cases, it is impossible to seal the leak from the outside, for example, if it is difficult to locate the damaged area. Then the polymer liquid sealant comes to the rescue.
Its principle of operation is based on the fact that it is poured into the system together with the coolant. In the area where there is a leak, the composition begins to interact with air and polymerize. Thus, the clots of the composition seal the gap.
It should be noted that there are several types of liquid sealants:
- For systems operating on water.
- For systems running on antifreeze.
- For sealing metal surfaces.
- For plastic pipes.
Thus, before purchasing the composition, you should familiarize yourself with the information that the instructions on the package contain.
Usage
Outdoor processing
So, we got acquainted with the types of compositions, now we will consider how to use a sealant for a radiator.
The work is done in this order:
- If you need to fix a leak, then first of all, you should find the damaged area.
- Then you need to drain the coolant from the radiator.
- Next, you need to do it yourself with your own hands to clean the damaged area from dust, dirt, old paintwork, etc.
- After that, the composition is applied to the treated area.
- Then you need to wait for the sealant to dry, after which you can fill the system.
Internal processing
Now let's look at how a polymerizing radiator sealant is used.
This process is not much more complicated than external processing:
- Before pouring the sealant into the radiator, it is advisable to rinse it with running water.
- Next, you need to dismantle all filters or cut them off with taps.
- Then you need to start the system and heat it up to 50-60 degrees.
- After that, it is necessary to bleed air from the system, otherwise it will begin to interact with the agent.
- Next, you need to drain the water from the system and use it to prepare the solution. In this case, a couple of liters must be left to flush the pump.
- Then you need to dismantle the Mayevsky crane from the battery, and instead connect a pump of the "Kid" type.
- Using a pump, a sealant solution with water is introduced into the system. If the volume of the coolant in the system does not exceed 80 liters, one liter of the agent is sufficient. Otherwise, its amount needs to be increased.
- Next, you need to raise the pressure in the system to 1.5 atmospheres.
- The operation of the heating system must be maintained in this mode for several hours until the agent polymerizes.
- Then you need to release the coolant, fill it with water and then drain it again. However, before flushing the radiator after the sealant, make sure that the leak is completely repaired.
Note! This method elimination of leaks can be used only for those cases when the rate of fluid leakage from the radiator does not exceed 30 liters per day.
This completes the process of repairing radiator cracks.
Output
There are several types of sealants that can be used for heating radiators. To make the right choice, you need to decide on the tasks that the composition must solve - it can be the sealing of threaded connections or the sealing of cracks. However, any sealant will be effective only if the instructions for its use are followed.
You can get acquainted with some additional information on the indicated topic from the video in this article.