Leakage in heating systems
The first thing to do when entering a substation is to check for water leaks. The simplest check is to see if there is water on the floor and check if there is pressure in the system.
To find out what the pressure should be, measure from the expansion vessel to the highest point of the system. At a height of 10 metres, it should be 1 Bar plus 0.2 Bar. The safety margin is needed to avoid underpressure at the highest point and to reduce the risk of air ingress and cavitation.
If there is no water leakage and you need to top up with water several times, you should check, among other things, whether there is pre-pressure in the expansion vessel or whether there is leakage somewhere further out in the system.
When doing a pipe installation, you can either weld, use compression fittings or press with a pressing tool. When using compression fittings, there are a few things that are important to consider to avoid leaks.
- In order for the pipe installation to be approved, the crimping tool must be calibrated within the last 12 months. Calibration may need to be done more often depending on how the tool is used and the requirements of your business.
- Before carrying out a pressure test of a pipework system, a leak test of the compression fittings should be carried out under three bar pressure for 30 minutes. The pressure must not drop during this time!
- If glycol is used in heating or solar collector systems, couplings with a special rubber ring should be used. Glycol dissolves ordinary rubber rings and there is a risk of leakage.
Feel free to contact us if you have other questions about heating systems!