Removing air from the heating radiator: common building system, apartment, private house

In the first days after start heating batteries can often be observed to remain cold or to operate at half strength. The main reason for this phenomenon may be the airiness of the system, that is, the presence of air bubbles in the pipes and radiators, which interfere with the normal flow of the coolant. Modern heating radiators are equipped with special devices for venting air, but what about those who have Soviet-style heaters installed? HouseChief experts decided to understand this issue and tell you how to bleed air from the heating circuit if there are no special taps and fixtures on the heating elements.

Reasons for airing the heating circuit

There are many reasons for the appearance of air pockets in pipes and radiators. Often, airing of batteries is caused by:

• non-compliance with standards when installing a heating system;
• incorrect filling of the circuit with water;
• leaky connections that contribute to air intake from the outside;
• repair work, during which the formation of an air bubble occurs.

Important! Air bubble is a common cause of semi-warm radiators.

PHOTO: montazh-sistem-msk.ru

Bleeding air from the common house circuit

If you do not have the opportunity to independently bleed the air in the home heating circuit, then utility workers can and should do this. In general, this is performed even at the stage of starting a completely or partially discarded circuit. One valve is left closed and the other is opened. The coolant is drained through the vent on the side of the heating circuit, connected to the sewerage system. The fact that air has left the system can be judged by the uniform, without air bubbles, water flow in the discharge.

PHOTO: i2.wp.com

How to bleed air if there are no shut-off valves

The housing stock mainly consists of houses still "Soviet" construction, and accordingly, heating radiators have been installed in them since that time. In such batteries, air vents are not provided, but a plug is simply installed. It is through it that we will bleed air from the heating system. For everything to go smoothly and safely, you should proceed according to the following algorithm:

1. Before carrying out all work on venting the heating system, first shut off the heating agent supply riser.
2. Prepare a bucket, rags, adjustable wrench, tow or FUM tape, as well as WD-40 or solvent.
3. Place a container under the cap and wrap a rag around the battery to reduce the water pressure.
4. As a rule, the plugs on the heating radiator are painted over with the rest of the heating element. Therefore, it is necessary to treat the joint with a VD-40 rust converter or solvent.
5. After applying the converter, you need to wait 15–20 minutes and try to unscrew the plug with an adjustable wrench. It is not necessary to make great efforts so as not to break the thread, and you cannot unscrew the plug completely, it will be enough to unscrew it by 1-2 turns.
6. Since the thread can be left-handed or right-handed, the plug must be turned in different directions.
7. Gradually unscrewing the heating radiator cap, you need to listen - if the air has gone. Additionally, you can extend your hand to feel the airflow from the battery.
8. After the air is released, water should go. It is necessary to drain 5-10 liters of liquid, then, to improve the tightness, wrap the plug against the thread with FUM-tape or tow and screw it back tightly.

PHOTO: vdome.club

Ventilation of the heating system of a private house

Not all private houses have heating radiators with Mayevsky taps. Therefore, to bleed air, you can use a drain through an expansion tank of a closed or open type, which is an indispensable element of every heating system. The first type of expansion tank is easy to operate, and airing, as a rule, is a consequence of a decrease in the liquid level in it. To fix the problem, it is enough to add the missing amount of coolant to the tank.

PHOTO: avtonomnoeteplo.ru

If you have a closed-type expansion tank installed, then you will have to bleed the air through the heating radiators. However, before that, it is necessary to fill the system with a coolant until at least 10 liters of fluid flows out of the control pipe coming out of the tank. After that we start heating again. If it was not possible to air the system in this way, then you will have to bleed the air through the radiators.

Bleeding air from steel radiators

It is possible to deflate Soviet-style steel batteries by using a self-tapping screw. To do this, you need to wrap the self-tapping screw at the head with FUM tape and use a drill or screwdriver to screw it into the wall of the heating radiator. After that, you need to unscrew the screw 2-3 turns, bleed the air and tighten it back until it stops. To avoid cutting the threads, use the ratchet on the screwdriver. It is worth remembering that this is a temporary measure and after the end of the heating season, it is imperative to install a Mayevsky valve or an automatic air vent in place of the screw.

PHOTO: avatars.mds.yandex.net

A few words in conclusion

An air bubble in the heating circuit can cause cold batteries. We told how to cope with this problem if there is no Mayevsky tap and automatic air vents on the heating radiators.

We hope this information was helpful. And if you have your own ways to remove air from the heating circuit without using any shut-off valves, then share them with us and other readers.