Heating in a private house with your own hands from iron (steel) pipes

Pros and cons of metal

The characteristics of pipes are determined by the technological nuances of their production. Metallurgical plants use processes to give the finished product certain properties. Products can be solid-drawn or welded. The former are formed using sophisticated equipment, while the others are sewn from sheet metal.

The main advantages of the products:

Strength. Metal pipes are indispensable in the construction of high pressure lines.
Low thermal expansion. This eliminates the need for thick-walled products.
Almost one hundred percent gas tightness. This is a very important condition for creating a complete closed heating circuit.
High thermal conductivity. A very important point for the organization of heating systems in residential buildings. The surface of the metal transfers heat to the surrounding air, partially performing the functions of heating devices.
Availability. The cost of the metal is low, which is of great importance when arranging budget options for heat supply.

Disadvantages:

Corrosion susceptibility. Metal poorly resists oxidative processes and aggressive environments.
Electrical conductivity. Although very conditional, but still a negative factor. It is of particular importance when arranging a heating system with an electric boiler.
Rigidity. It is possible to bend the line only when exposed to heat. For installation, a lot of connecting and shaped elements are required.
Large mass. During installation, you have to make a lot of physical efforts in order to correctly position the section of the highway.

The choice between plastic and metal for the arrangement of heating circuits

Between plastic and metal, metal pipes are more often preferred for heating, although the popularity of plastic pipes in recent decades is so great that new materials have almost displaced metal from the pipe market, but metal is still the preferred option for heating circuits.

It is enough to compare the technical features of metal and plastic to make sure that it is more reliable when used as a material for heating systems.

Plastic in the heating system

Plastic pipes have the following performance characteristics:

the value of the permissible operating water temperature is 95 degrees,
the value of the working pressure is not more than twenty-five atmospheres.

At first glance, this is quite acceptable for use in heating, where the operating temperature and pressure usually do not exceed these values.

However, the maximum pressure data corresponds to the declared one only at water temperatures up to 20 degrees. With an increase to the limit of 95 degrees, the working pressure in the plastic pipes will drop to eight atmospheres.

Note! When plastic pipes are used at the maximum permissible level, their service life is reduced to about ten years.

In winter, in case of frost, the management company may decide to increase the water temperature. In this case, the incoming liquid may not be 95 degrees, but all 150.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with: Fittings for connections of various configurations of polypropylene pipes

Do not forget that heating mains are inspected about once a year.During these checks, the ultimate pressure is increased by three times the values during normal operation. Therefore, plastic often fails these tests.

Metal pipes

The main condition is that the pipes for heating are strong and reliable. Metal products are able to withstand even extreme loads, and in this plastic analogues cannot be compared with them, despite the susceptibility to corrosion, which reduces their service life, and their large weight, which makes installation and transportation difficult.

Reliability for heating mains is the most important quality, especially since manufacturers use various alloys for anti-corrosion resistance, which do not have these disadvantages.

Types of pipes

Cast iron

The composition is a complex iron-based alloy. The molten mass is excellently molded and differs from pure steel in its increased carbon content.

Pipes made of cast iron for heating systems are rarely used. When their use is fundamental, then operations are performed to improve the insulating characteristics:

joints are sealed with cuffs and special couplings
the inner and outer walls are treated with a protective film

Manufacturers supply the market with products with a diameter of 50 to 300 millimeters. Compared with plastic counterparts, cast iron has an advantage in mechanical strength.

Copper

Copper pipe

The material has exceptional thermal conductivity. Along with sufficient mechanical strength, it is characterized by a long service life.

Copper pipes are used in places where welding work is categorically unacceptable. These highways did not receive mass distribution due to their high cost.

For heating systems, there are two types of these pipes:

Made of pre-work-hardened material. Products gain increased mechanical strength. Deliveries, as a rule, are carried out with purlins cut to the required dimensions. Their diameter ranges from 22-54 mm.
Made from welded copper. Products are distinguished by high malleability and manufacturability. They are supplied to the market in coils with a diameter of 6-22 mm.

Separate sections of the highways are joined together by welding.

Black steel

It is the most common material for domestic heating systems in the 70-90s of the last century. This steel grade is not resistant to corrosion and is unlikely to leave behind positive memories for homeowners. Although the service life was declared at 25 years, the problems started much earlier.

Namely:

Depressurization of the system. This was partly due to the incorrect operation of the pipelines. They could serve for a long time, provided that the system was filled with water all year round, which was absolutely not observed.
Deposits. The inner walls are a great place to collect salt, sand and other impurities. As a result of a decrease in the diameter of the mains, their efficiency also decreased.

Cink Steel

Galvanized pipe DN 32

The protective top layer has dramatically changed the performance characteristics of conventional steel. The pipes began to serve several times longer. In many "Stalinkas" these highways serve to this day. However, the quality of modern products raises many questions from both installers and consumers.

In fairness, it should be noted that there are enough high-quality products on the market. Heating made of zinc-coated metal pipes is durable. The material itself remains strong and resistant to aggressive environments.

Separate sections are mounted on threaded joints, since welding destroys the insulating layer.

Of the shortcomings, two can be noted:

Higher cost than traditional steel.
Threaded joints are much more time consuming than welding or brazing.

Stainless steel

In theory, stainless steel pipes can be used to equip heating. Moreover, the installation can be performed both by welding and by means of threaded connections. Such highways are practically not limited by any terms of operation. The building itself will become unusable faster.

However, the extremely high cost of anti-corrosion steel precludes widespread use of the material. Corrugated counterparts, on the contrary, are successfully used and become more and more popular every year. Their price is quite acceptable, and consumer demand is growing due to the many advantages of the material:

You don't need a lot of tools to complete the installation work. The most primitive pipe cutter and two gas switches are enough.
High performance parameters. The metal can withstand the boiling point of water and the pressure of 12 kgf / sq. Cm.
Pipes are connected using compression fittings and silicone seals. They are easily joined by means of fittings and are clamped with threaded connections.
The pipes are easy to mold. No thermal action or great force is required to obtain the desired bend.

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Classification and characteristics

Two-pipe heating circuit with forced circulation of the heat carrier

According to the manufacturing method, iron pipes can be seamless, hot or cold drawn and electrically welded. Seamless rolled steel is more reliable and designed for higher pressure. The choice of such pipes entails an increase in the cost of installing a heating system, since their cost is much higher than that of electrowelded ones.

The main characteristics are:

Size and weight. The size of the product is determined by the inner and outer diameters, nominal bore diameter, wall thickness and pipe length. All these physical quantities, including the mass of 1 linear meter. m pipes, regulated by GOST and TU. Using them, you will easily make a choice in favor of one or another type of rolled metal. Diameters and wall thicknesses are measured in millimeters, length in meters, and mass in kilograms or tons.
Strength. Strength characteristics include the ability of the pipeline to withstand a certain pressure (operating, nominal, test, excess) and the temperature of the environment. Pressure is measured in pascals and temperature in degrees Celsius or Kelvin. These are the main characteristics that guide the design of heating systems.
Material. It can be carbon steel, stainless steel, carbon iron, alloy and non-ferrous metal.

Heating steel pipes: installation

Gravity (gravity) heating circuit diagram

For indoor heating systems, as a rule, ½- and ¾-inch pipes with a nominal diameter of 15 cm and 20 cm are used, respectively. The heating scheme is a system of series-connected sections of metal pipes of various lengths. The main requirements for this are the tightness and tightness of the entire circuit, regardless of temperature movements.

Installation of iron pipes is carried out in three ways:

Using flame or electric arc welding;
With flanges;
With a threaded connection.

Installation and connection of pipelines using welding guarantees a strong and reliable connection. There are many types of welding, but when installing heating systems, installers often opt for gas or electric arc welding. Before starting welding, all joints and edges are thoroughly washed and degreased, and also treated with an abrasive tool (file, special chamfering machine, grinder, etc.).

In gas welding, under the influence of flame and high temperatures, the filler material (wire) melts, which forms the weld. Electric arc welding is performed using electrodes using direct or alternating current. In this case, the positive phase is connected to the workpiece, and the negative phase is connected to the electrode. Welding with alternating current is more cost effective, and the equipment for it does not require additional maintenance and testing.

Connecting pipes with a thread makes it possible to further dismantle and install individual sections of the heating circuit

Connecting pipes using a thread makes it possible to subsequently dismantle and install individual sections of the circuit for repair or replacement. When making such a connection, additional fittings are used:

transitions,
bends,
traffic jams,
stubs,
connecting nuts,
tees,
couplings, etc.

And the question immediately arises, what quality characteristics should the fittings have? The answer is simple: all geometric dimensions of the connecting elements must comply with GOST, the thread must have a clear axial direction, be free from contamination and breaks.

All threaded connections are made using sealing materials. It can be impregnated linen tow, asbestos cord, paronite, rubber or FUM tape. Thoroughly clean the threads and sealing surfaces before carrying out the operations. All connections must be made to the end to ensure complete tightness. Pipe wrenches are used to screw pipes and fittings. Pipes are connected in special devices or directly at the installation site

Installation of pipes using flanges consists in bolting and sealing the sealing surfaces of the welded flanges. The sealing material can be asbestos cardboard, paronite, rubber, etc. The installation of the system must be carried out sequentially, excluding possible misalignment and distortions.

The gasket should be cut exactly to the size of the flange sealing surfaces, should not rest against the bolts and overlap. The bolts, in turn, should not be too long, and their heads should be marked on one side of the connection. It is necessary to tighten diametrically opposite nuts alternately for the entire connection. Use wrenches for this.

Summing up, I would like to say that, having complete information about steel pipes, you can easily determine which pipes are better and which type of their connection is more suitable for you. As practice shows, a high-quality metal pipe will last for decades and will not disappoint you.

In modern conditions, to create a heating system, you can use a wide variety of types of pipes: plastic, metal and metal-plastic. All of them can be used. Of course, each material is special, it differs not only in characteristics, cost, but also in installation requirements.

Heating pipes serve to supply and remove the required amount of heat. And at the moment, metal products are most often used for this.

Two-pipe heating system

Heating systems can be one- and two-pipe. The main feature of two-pipe heating systems is, as the name implies, that it involves the installation of two pipes. Through the first, hot water enters the heating system, through the second cooled coolant is returned to the system. To shut off the heat supply, special taps are installed in front of the heating devices. The main advantage of a two-pipe heating system is to maintain the same coolant temperature for all software, although it will be relatively low.On the other hand, such a system provides cost savings - in this case, heating devices are used as efficiently as possible, there is no need to install additional sections on distant radiators.

two-pipe heating system

Types of DSO:

dead-end - water flows in opposite directions;
flow-through - unidirectional flow of the coolant in pipes;
vertical - they involve the installation of a large number of pipes, are ideal for multi-storey buildings, provide automatic air removal;
horizontal - designed for installation in one / two-storey houses, special cranes "Mayevsky" are mounted on the radiators to bleed air.

The two-pipe heating system is suitable for installation in houses of any size, its properties are best manifested in large cottages. This option allows you to change the flow rate of some radiators bypassing the others; it is possible to use different room thermostats, which will provide comfortable conditions for all the inhabitants of the house.

Types of metal pipes

It is quite difficult to choose this material for heating. It must be resistant to environmental influences, must serve for a long time, be reliable and durable. Each metal has its own characteristics, which are worth considering further.

Stainless steel

This is almost an ideal option, if you do not take into account the rather high price for them and for installation. The products look great, have a high level of strength, are resistant to corrosion, and can be used for a hundred years.

Steel

Such pipes have high strength, serve for a long time, and weld well. Also, such products are characterized by increased thermal conductivity. And this is very good just for the heating system. In addition, such material is inexpensive.

However, steel pipes are not without drawbacks. For example, they are susceptible to corrosion, so contact with water is not good for them. As a result, the inside of the pipe can become covered with rust, as a result of which it can overgrow. Therefore, the throughput will be degraded. As a result, replacement may often be required, which is not beneficial for heating.

Cink Steel

Galvanizing is needed just to protect steel from corrosion. However, this does not mean that the zinc coating will completely avoid this disadvantage. It will only slow down the process.

Recommendation: galvanizing of the connecting fittings is optional. Also, during the welding process of such material, substances hazardous to health are released. Therefore, it is better to make threaded or alternative connections.

Installation of pipes and radiators for heating

Each pipe network has a limited time of use. It depends on the quality of the materials. The operating characteristics of heated towel rails, radiators and batteries are also dependent on the conditions of their use.

However, the quality of construction work is equally important. This includes the connection of radiators. The prices for the installation of heating radiators from high-class craftsmen are not small.

But, if you entrust these actions to a non-professional master, then a high-quality result may turn out to be only a dream.

This service is provided by many companies that have highly qualified specialists in their arsenal.

They quickly carry out the supply of heating radiators at a convenient time for customers. In this case, all the worries associated with the purchase of consumables are taken by the master.

When replacing radiators, companies offer materials from leading manufacturers. And the cost of all types of repairs includes a guarantee for the services provided.

Approximate prices for the installation of radiators:

№	Service	Price (rubles)
1	Stand for cold water	1500-1800
2	Riser for cold water with heated towel rail	1800
3	Riser for cold water without heated towel rail	1500
4	Drain stand	from 2400
5	Root valve	450
6	All risers	from 8000
7	Radiators	1200
8	Transfer to another location	1500
9	Towel rail with ready-made outlet	750
10	Towel rail with outlet installation	1200

Copper

Such products have many advantages:

bactericidal properties;
high plasticity;
the likelihood of corrosion is minimal;
the service life is very long;
resistance to temperature extremes;
if water freezes, the material does not crack.

For all its ideality, copper pipes also have disadvantages. Mechanical impurities, as well as acidic water, are terrible for them. It should also be remembered that steel or galvanized products cannot be present in the same system with copper. Otherwise, corrosion may occur.

Such products can be welded or seamless. The latter are the most reliable material. This is one product, no components involved. The result is high strength. If necessary, the surface can be zinc plated to prevent rust formation.

In general, such a product does not require a protective coating such as a primer or paint. It is worth applying such compositions with your own hands only in places where the zinc coating is damaged - at the joints. Pipes can be connected with fittings. At the same time, we note that their material must be identical with the material of the pipes. Therefore, everything should be, say, copper or steel - depending on the material used.

As for welded pipes, they are very widespread. At the same time, modern technologies allow obtaining high strength of the welded seam. Therefore, such products are applicable where seamless ones are also used. Moreover, such products have less deviations in thickness, and the wall can be thin.

Hence the classification by thickness:

lungs;
ordinary;
reinforced thickness. This is bad when bending is required, but good because it has high corrosion resistance.

Installation

Installing metal pipes for heating is not an easy task. Even small flaws can affect the service life or even render the system unusable.

Installation steps

First, a project is drawn up. The material, dimensions, scope of work are selected and the locations of the system elements are determined.

And only after that, direct installation is possible, taking into account, of course, the requirements of SNiP.

Making a heating system with your own hands is a pleasant, but painstaking and costly task, especially if metal products are used. Therefore, the priority will be the option of inviting the master to perform all installation work. If you have enough confidence, experience and knowledge, you can try it yourself. We make a choice, and go!

Today, many types of pipes are offered for heating systems: metal-plastic, plastic, metal. All of them are suitable for use in heat supply. They differ from each other only in the methods of installation, the material of which they are composed, the price and the service life.

Central heating pipes are designed to supply the quantity and remove the coolant from heating devices. For this, pipes from different materials are used, but in this article we will talk about metal pipes.

Underfloor heating systems

A water-heated floor has a wide range of advantages.

This is an economical form of heating.
Compatible with any type of floor covering.
It can function autonomously.
Relatively inexpensive installation.

The prices for the installation of underfloor heating are of interest to many consumers. Companies that sell underfloor heating value each client.

Therefore, in each specialty store, the cost is different. The average price for materials for a warm floor is as follows:

Service	Measuring quantity	The cost	Consumption per sq. m
Polyet film.	sq. m	16	1,2
Expanded polystyrene	sq. m	100	1,1
DEMRF tape.	m / n	25	1,35
Reinforcement mesh	sq. m	44	1
Trumpet	m / n	35	4

Underfloor heating installation:

Installation

sq. m

400

Underfloor heating mixer group:

Mixer group	PC.	11 900	1
Number of cabinet	PC.	4 200	1

Other jobs:

Concrete	sq. m	250	1
Concrete screed	sq. m	290	1
Drafting a project	sq. m	60	1

The prices are influenced not only by the chosen brand, but also by the cost of blanks, the complexity of laying and the footage of the area.

Varieties of metal pipes

It is very difficult to select pipes for heating, they are divorced around the entire perimeter of the house, and therefore must be resistant to corrosion, strong, reliable and last a long time.

There are certain types of pipes, consider some of them, their advantages and disadvantages:

Stainless steel pipes

Metal pipes for heating from stainless steel.

They can be called ideal for a number of reasons:

very long service life (100 years);
high corrosion resistance;
high strength properties;
great appearance.

Unfortunately, with all these high-class properties, there is a significant drawback - the high price of not only pipes, but also their installation will also cost you dearly. Very often this is the reason for favoring other types of pipes.

Steel tubes

They are made of high quality steel, which has high strength, excellent weldability and a relatively long service life. Steel pipes have a high thermal conductivity, but this advantage applies only to the heating system.

The main disadvantage is that steel pipes are not covered with anything and, in contact with water, this leads to metal corrosion. Corrosion is the cause of rusty water, the inner diameter of the pipe gradually overgrows, and this entails a decrease in water flow.

That is why steel pipes have a low price, but still need relatively frequent replacement.

Galvanized Steel Pipes

To avoid corrosion of steel pipes, a layer of zinc is applied to them, but this does not completely protect, but only slows down the corrosion process.

Tip: The connecting fittings must also be galvanized.
Important: In certain cases, the zinc coating of pipes is very harmful to the welder's health, since harmful substances are released during the welding process. Therefore, it is recommended to connect such pipes with threads.

Copper pipes

The advantages of these pipes are similar to those of copper itself:

possesses bactericidal properties;
has high plasticity;
almost does not corrode;
long service life;
withstand sudden changes in temperature;
when the water freezes in them - they do not crack, so you do not have to think about.

Metal pipes are manufactured using various technologies, for example, they can be seamless (seamless) or welded.

Solid-drawn metal heating pipes are perhaps the most reliable and high-quality material among all existing ones. They represent a single product (which is why they are called seamless) and are not assembled from component parts.

This makes them durable. They can be coated with zinc, which protects the pipes, and there is no need to take action to prevent rust formation.

Such pipes do not require painting or priming, only at the joints (they have threads, and with such a manipulation, the galvanized steel is damaged). Solid pipes, as well as welded pipes (galvanized or not galvanized), are connected to each other by special devices - couplings, and they are also called fittings.

Please note: If you have chosen metal pipes for heating, for example, stainless steel, then the fittings for them must be of the same material. That is, from what metal the pipes are the fittings.

Welded pipes are widely used in many industries. New and improved welding techniques guarantee a high seam strength that matches the strength of the pipe itself.All these technologies allow the use of welded pipes in those industries where it was possible to use only seamless pipes.

A welded metal pipe for heating, in comparison with a seamless one, is produced with less deviations in thickness and with a thinner wall. This technological feature is an advantage.

According to their thickness, pipes are of the following types:

reinforced thickness;
ordinary;
lungs.

The large thickness of the metal has both a plus (high anti-corrosion performance) and a minus - they are very difficult to bend during installation and repair work.

Installing pipes for heating is a rather difficult and painstaking task when building or renovating a house. Minor errors can lead to a short service life or disable the entire system.

Installation features: general principles

The first thing you should pay attention to during installation is the volume of the proposed work. It is advisable to have on hand a drawn up plan diagram and decide on the choice of material. According to the measurements made in advance, the exact length of each pipe is indicated on the diagram, in order to thereby avoid additional costs.

Usually, either a reciprocating saw or a pipe cutter is used to cut pipes. Both methods are used in specific situations:

The pipe cutter uses special cutting discs. They become dull over time and have to be changed.
For stainless steel pipes, separate discs were invented, which are sharpened using improved technology and acquire increased strength.

It is not possible to use a pipe cutter in all cases. For example, this is impossible when you need to cut a part of the pipe from an already installed structure. In these cases, a reciprocating saw is used, which provides an even cut.

It is important! It is not recommended to use a grinder for cutting pipes, so as not to receive an electric shock as a result of a short circuit, when water from the pipe accidentally gets on the tool.

Threading also has its own characteristics. There are two types of cuts - cylindrical and conical. The choice depends on the type of project being built. After installation, the joint is sealed with flax or special tape.

When installing in hard-to-reach places, it is often necessary to bend the pipe. The pipe bender does this job best.

Sometimes the craftsmen change the design of the pipe in a handicraft way, for which they heat up the place of the intended bend and bend the pipes with their hands.

After completing all work, it is necessary to check the heating. In the language of the master, this is called crimping. This stage of work is important, because when installing heating, you need to be sure that each element performs the functions assigned to it without any complaints.

Compliance is checked by artificially creating conditions in excess of operating conditions. This allows you to immediately notice the existing flaws that were made during the installation.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with: Seamless steel pipes and technology for the manufacture of cold-worked products

The main stages of installing pipes for the heating system

Mandatory drawing up of the project. At this stage, you need to decide on the amount of work, choose what material the equipment will be made of and what dimensions, think over the location of the parts of the heating system.
Preparing the installation of pipes. Check the tools that you need for serviceability and carry out preparatory work indoors.
The actual installation of the pipes themselves.

Important: When installing the heating system, it is imperative to comply with the requirements of SNiP 41 - 01 - 2003.

Equipping your home on your own is pleasant and commendable, but it requires a lot of effort and certain financial costs, but even a small error can create everyday problems not only for you, but also for your neighbors. Heating from metal pipes must be carried out by a master who will ensure an uninterrupted heating system.

What determines the price for installing a heating network in a private house?

First of all, the prices for the installation of heating a private house depend on the professional level of the craftsmen. The reduced price in this situation does not always guarantee excellent quality. And this must not be forgotten.

Prices depend on the following parameters:

The area of a private house where work will be carried out.
The power of the boiler equipment and the type of fuel. Powerful equipment is harder to set up than, for example, a wall view. And an electric boiler in connection is not as expensive as a gas one. But, in consequence, the second is more expensive because of the more expensive fuel.
The number of circuits in the boiler and circulation pumps.
If you need to equip a separate room in the house, then this will require additional costs.
The complexity of the chimney design.
The number of radiators, the type of their connection and subsequent piping.
The design of the highway itself.

All these nuances are foreseen at the stage of project development. A well-designed network does not present any “surprises” in the form of unforeseen repair costs in the future.