How to eliminate leaking heating pipes

Typical steel pipes used in domestic heating systems, have, as you know, one significant drawback associated with the possibility of corrosion of their surface, which often leads to the appearance of leaks. That is why most homeowners will not be overly acquainted with how to eliminate leaking heating pipes at home.

Causes of a leak

The cause of leakage in the apartment heating system can be:

• corrosion of the pipe material;
• mechanical damage to the heating system;
• natural aging of the metal.

Corrosion of individual sections of the pipeline is most often explained by the fact that condensate forms on the pipe with hot water, which penetrates into insufficiently protected areas and causes metal to break. The most likely places of leakage are the following sections of steel pipe:

• straight spans of the pipe system;
• threaded connections;
• battery section joints.

Immediately, we note that the adoption of drastic measures implies a complete replacement of the rusted section of the pipe or the entire heating element as a whole (battery sections, for example). In this article, we will look at techniques that provide temporary (operational) elimination of dangerous leakage by localizing it and then blocking it.

Leakage blocking techniques

The most common way to temporarily locate damage on a flat pipe is to use an elastic rubber lining, which allows you to stop the flow for a while.

For reliable blocking of the damage site, it is necessary, firstly, that the pad itself be somewhat wider than the damage zone and, secondly, that it is rigidly fixed at the edges using special clamps or annealed wire.

In addition, you can also eliminate the leak in the pipe with the help of a standard prefabricated brace, the kit of which includes all the elements necessary for blocking leakage (a set of rubber pads and clamping clamps).

The factory retaining set can also be applied in case of damage to the threaded connection (at the location of fittings, for example). In this case, to block the docking zone of pipes with different diameters, a soft (elastic) rubber band is best suited, by means of which it is possible to compensate for this difference. After winding to the place of connection of the fitting and the pipe, the edges of such a rubber bandage are securely clamped by means of a clamp.

Another way to quickly eliminate leaks involves the use of medical bandage and regular table salt. To implement it, it is sufficient to wrap the leakage area with a bandage spilled with edible salt. After some time, the salt will dissolve and tighten the leak. Immediately, we note that this method of surgical intervention should be used only in extreme cases (as a temporary measure).

The option to eliminate leaks at the junction of the battery sections is reduced to wrapping the damaged area with a silk fabric impregnated with some moisture-resistant adhesive (epoxy glue, for example).

Features of procedures for the rapid elimination of leaks

Before closing the pipe using any of the methods described above, the following should be clearly understood:

1. All of the methods for eliminating leaks considered in this article are temporary measures and can be attributed to the methods of operative intervention aimed at preventing flooding of the premises. For the final restoration of the heating system, you should replace the problem sections of the pipe line with new ones or update it completely. The solution to this problem is possible only at the end of the current heating season, i.e. in the period when you can do major repairs of the entire heating system.
2. At the slightest sign of leakage (the appearance of small wet discharge in threaded joints, for example) you should immediately take all necessary measures to eliminate it. In no case can not pull with locking the site of damage, since such a delay can lead to irreparable consequences.
3. All the methods of leakage elimination described above have been repeatedly applied in everyday life and have proven to be effective in a variety of situations (taking into account compliance with all the above recommendations).
4. In the event that, after the procedures described, it is not possible to stop the flow in the heating system, you will have to call a local plumber. After the heating system shutdown, the specialist you have invited will help you restore the damage site.