Descaling boilers

A boiler is a complex and expensive device, without which it is impossible to heat some rooms. During the operation of the boiler room, there is constant contact with water, in which many minerals, salts and iron are dissolved. They settle on the walls of the equipment, which leads to the formation of scale, which destroys the walls of the boiler and heat exchangers, as well as water pipes. In order to extend the life of the equipment and avoid expensive repairs, timely descaling of the boilers is necessary.

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Why clean the boiler?

Boilers are used for heating various rooms, as well as for heating water.

Important! The technology of their work is extremely simple, and resembles an ordinary kettle - with the help of electricity or fuel, water is heated, which through a heat exchanger enters the pipes and heats the room.

During boiling, a solid precipitate settles on the walls of the boiler, consisting of mineral salts, metal ions and lime.

Timely boiler descaling helps to avoid the following problems:

• The walls of the vessel begin to conduct less heat, and as a result, more energy is required to heat the room.
• The liquid cannot circulate freely in the vessel, therefore equipment leakage is possible during pressure surges.
• For proper functioning, the boiler must not only heat up evenly, but also cool. Scale prevents this, resulting in equipment failure.
• Significantly increases the load on the pump, which pumps water into the boiler and heat exchanger.

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Cleaning methods

To date, several methods for descaling the boiler have been developed. Each of them has its own characteristics, as well as positive and negative sides. Here are the most common methods:

• Chemical cleaning - scale is destroyed using a reagent poured into the device.
• Physical cleaning - deposits of mineral substances are removed physically. This is the simplest cleaning of boilers from scale with a brush, for which it is necessary to disassemble the device, as well as the hydrodynamic method.
• Ultrasonic descaling.
• Flushing boiler equipment with boosters.

Important! In addition, sometimes the walls of the boiler are treated from the inside with a special substance that prevents the formation of scale. This method is very expensive and not very reliable, so it is not widely used.

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Physical cleaning methods

Physical cleaning methods are not considered the most reliable way to get rid of scale.

Important! In the process, it is easy to damage the material of the walls of the equipment, which reduces their heat-conducting properties. In addition, it is necessary to disassemble the heating device, and this requires special skills.

Physical cleaning of boilers from scale can be of two types:

1. The boiler and heat exchanger must be completely disassembled, having previously turned off the water supply. Using special brushes for metal, a descaling layer is removed, and then the equipment is reassembled.
2. Water is launched into the boiler equipment under high pressure. Under the influence of her strength, she simply flushes all deposits from the walls of the boiler, heat exchanger and pipes.

Important! The second method is not cheap, plus this requires the skill of handling a hydraulic installation.

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Dry boiler cleaning methods

This method is based on the interaction of a chemical reagent and mineral deposits, due to this, the scale layer is completely destroyed. Depending on the purpose, the chemical method is usually divided into two types.

Preventative cleaning

This procedure is aimed at removing and slowing down the occurrence of rusting of the boiler walls. Limescale is removed by washing with special substances, which most often contain alkali.

For cleaning in this way, the following equipment is required:

• Booster or washer. This is a cleaning pump system into which flushing fluid is poured.
• Chemical composition. As a rule, it contains two types of compounds - surfactants (surfactants) and substances that destroy scale.

The cleaning process itself is carried out as follows:

1. Unplug the boiler and turn off the water supply.
2. Drain a significant amount of water from the boiler.
3. It is necessary to block the inlet and outlet pipes of the heating system.
4. Connect the booster to the nozzles and fill in the chemical substance in the device, having previously read the application manual.
5. Launch the device. Typically, one cleaning cycle takes up to two hours.
6. After the procedure, the alkali is poured into a separate container and then disposed of in a special way.
7. Pour tap water into the booster and repeat the procedure to completely flush the system.

Important! This cleaning method is good because in addition to a chemical reaction, a hydrodynamic effect also occurs. Therefore, booster cleaning is one of the best ways to clean boilers from scale today.

Collapsible Flushing

Chemical cleaning of the boiler by means of its analysis, as a rule, is applied only in case of especially severe pollution. For this:

1. It is necessary to completely disassemble the device, up to soldered and electrical parts.
2. After this, the heat exchanger plates are immersed in a chemical solution for several hours.
3. This method, as a rule, is combined with the physical method of purification.

Important! If you decide to clean the boiler system using chemical methods yourself, be sure to use personal protective equipment to avoid burns.

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Ultrasonic cleaning

This method is based on the action of high frequency sound waves on the walls of the boiler, due to which the scale is destroyed. Residues of plaque fall into the water, which, after processing, is passed or drained so that pure water appears in the vessel.

Important! The cost and complexity of the procedure are not suitable for frequent use. In addition, ultrasonic cleaning equipment is difficult to purchase in ordinary stores.

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Prevention

In order to avoid frequent descaling of boilers, it is best to engage in regular prevention of plaque formation. This will not only extend the life of the equipment, but will improve its heat-conducting properties.

There are several preventative methods:

• It is necessary to eliminate the cause of scale - hard water. To do this, you can use softening filters, as well as purchase a boiler with an automatic water softener.
• About once a month, it is recommended that a special cleaning fluid be added to the heat exchange system. It is not well suited to remove heavy contaminants, but it does a good job at preventing plaque formation.
• Using a magnetic water transducer is one of the few ways that significantly reduces the chance of plaque. This is a tube that is installed on the water supply pipe and has a magnet, the latter creates a strong magnetic field. It prevents the formation of scale on the walls of the boiler in the future.

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Stock footage

There are many ways to descale a boiler. This will not only protect the equipment from damage, but will help to save on space heating.If you are not sure that you can clean the boiler equipment yourself, it is better to seek the help of specialists, because possible breakdowns during the cleaning process can result in a lengthy repair.