How to fix a leak on a heating pipe: 2 emergency methods
Usually, repairing a leak in a heating system involves dismantling and replacing a section of a pipe or an entire unit with a defect. Such work is carried out only when the heating is turned off and the coolant is drained. But when it's freezing outside the window, somehow I don't really want to sit with cold batteries. In this case, there are several options for emergency repair. How to fix a leak on heating pipes - read on.
Leak in a straight section of metal or plastic pipe
If you have an old heating system made of metal water pipes, then it is worthwhile to foresee the appearance of fistulas in advance and purchase a couple of repair clamps (rolled couplings). This device will help you quickly and effectively eliminate leaks on both metal and plastic pipes. Although a leak on a polypropylene or metal-plastic pipe happens quite rarely, it sometimes happens. For example, you came to the dacha, turned on the heating, and the pipe was thawed in some places and gave a small crack.
And if you haven’t stocked up with a rolled clutch in advance, then you will have to make its analogue from improvised means and ordinary clamps.
You will need:
- latex glove;
- a piece of rubber from a bicycle or car camera;
- electrical tape or tape;
- 2–3 screw-tightened clamping clamps.
What should be done?
A leak in a straight pipe section can be eliminated simply:
- From the latex glove, cut a tape that is 2 centimeters wide and 10 centimeters long.
- From a piece of the camera, make a tape 3 cm wide and 10-15 centimeters long.
- Remove paint and rust from the pipe section, if any.
- Wrap the latex tape tightly (under tension) over the leaking pipe section. The winding width should be 4–5 centimeters. Secure the end of the tape with tape or tape.
- Wrap the rubber band tightly over the latex wrap. Make two turns, secure one end of the rubber band with a cable tie, wind up fully and secure the other end of the tape with a cable tie. If the fistula is large, install a third clamp in the middle. The task is to squeeze the leak.
With such a repair, the pipe will hold out without any problems until the end of the heating season.
Leak in the joints of polypropylene pipes
Plastic pipes do not rot, but they often leak in places of soldering - joints with couplings, tees, elbows, crosses, water sockets, etc. In this case, a crimp screw clamp will also help.
How to eliminate leakage from under the coupling or other connecting elements?
There are two ways. The first is to eliminate the leak by crimping the coupling with a clamp without glue. The second one is the same, but with glue.
In the first case, it is necessary to squeeze the collar from which it flows with a clamp. When tightened, the leak should completely stop. In this state, the connection can last until spring. But when the temperature changes, the plastic will shrink and unclench, so the junction must be constantly monitored.
In the second case, it is necessary to squeeze the sleeve and additionally cover the leak with cold welding (necessarily with a composition for a humid environment). But again, with temperature fluctuations, the adhesive may come off and flow again. Therefore, it is necessary to make a repair coupling.
It is made very simply. Cut off a piece of polypropylene pipe (ring 2–3 centimeters wide). Make a notch in the ring so that you can slide it over the pipe. Next, place the ring on the pipe, press firmly against the sleeve and crimp with a screw clamp. So the connection with a high probability will "live" until the end of the heating season, when it will be possible to make a full repair.