In many apartment buildings, residents periodically encounter the fact that the heated towel rail does not perform its main function and is cold, and can also hum. This does not mean that the device is faulty and requires repair.
The problem most often occurs among people who live in apartments connected to a central heating system. The reason for this is an air lock in the heated towel rail, which leads to ineffective operation of the device.
The purpose of a heated towel rail is not just to replace a heating radiator, but also to dry the air in the room to prevent the appearance of fungus and mold on the walls and ceiling.
The dryer will be warm even in summer, when the heating is turned off in all apartments . This is possible due to the fact that it is connected to a central hot water supply system.
If you have been using a heated towel rail for some time, then giving up such a necessary thing in your own apartment is problematic.
Typical problem
After some time of active use, you may be unpleasantly surprised to find that it has stopped heating, and sometimes is completely cold. Air accumulated inside the heated towel rail interferes with proper water circulation , so the drying device does not heat up. There is only one correct decision left - to lower him.
If it is cold for a long time, it can negatively affect the air quality in the bathroom, and mold will begin to appear on the walls and ceiling.
Why does an air lock occur in the heating system? If we consider central heating, this is due to air entering the system at the time of its startup . Another typical problem is the slow evaporation of hot water in the pipes. The place of the former water is filled with bubbles, which make it difficult to supply hot water.
Next, we’ll look at how to bleed a heated towel rail and eliminate air build-up.
How to bleed air from a heated towel rail: instructions on how to bleed air
Very often, residents living in apartment buildings talk about a failed dryer running on central heating. However, you should not rush to the unequivocal conclusion that the structure has completely broken down and can no longer be used. This defect is most often associated with the formation of an air lock inside the heated towel rail. To understand how to bleed air in a heated towel rail, you need to study the operating principle of such a device.
The heated towel rail is designed for drying wet laundry. Thanks to this device, the indoor microclimate is maintained. Drying helps soften the environment. As a result, the appearance of a large number of harmful microorganisms on the walls, baseboards and ceilings is prevented:
After using the product for a long time, water circulation may be disrupted. Air mass begins to accumulate inside the unit. A traffic jam occurs that affects the functionality of the device. It stops heating, and its properties and positive qualities are lost. To get rid of the plug, you need to drain the water. The main reasons for performing such an operation are:
- Evaporation of hot water in pipes occurs very slowly. This phenomenon is associated with the formation of air bubbles inside the pipe, preventing the free movement of the heated liquid.
- Another reason may be to restart the water supply if for some reason there is a break in operation.
- The cork appears due to an incorrectly selected product shape.
- Incorrect connection.
In order not to deteriorate the quality of the atmosphere, the air lock must be eliminated.
How often should you bleed the heated towel rail?
Many users are facing this problem. Let's say right away that as soon as there is a problem with the heat supply, the operation must be performed immediately. There is no need to put off bleeding air from the heated towel rail until later, as this process begins to worsen significantly over time. If everything is done on time, after the mass is released, the device design will begin to work at full capacity.
How to bleed air from a heated towel rail: instructions
To return lost power to the device, you must first study the principle of its operation and become familiar with some of its features and nuances. The draining operation does not require professional assistance. Any user can do it independently. There are several ways to eliminate an airlock.
Traditional method
If you follow the traditional method, you will need to expel the water from the heated towel rail . Since it is connected to the water supply system, you just need to drain the water through the riser. The situation becomes more complicated if there are many residential floors above you, since the descent is carried out on the top one.
If this does not help, slowly begin to unscrew the nut that secures the dryer to the pipe. Let us repeat that you need to unscrew it very slowly and as soon as you hear air escaping, you should not unscrew it further. It would be a good idea to place an empty container under the mounting location to prevent water from dripping from the pipe.
Modern method
This method involves installing a Mayevsky tap on a heated towel rail. Modern models are sold complete with it. Please note that the tap is not responsible for shutting off the water, but serves only as an air vent.
The Mayevsky tap includes a needle valve and an adjusting screw. In order to bleed off the accumulated air, use a flat screwdriver or a special key to turn the screw to open the valve.
The air must be released until hot water flows out of the small hole in a thin stream.
After this, the screw is tightened to the initial position and literally after a few minutes the heated towel rail begins to warm up and then become hot. What to do without a Mayevsky tap if you need to remove air? In this case, you will need the following tools:
- pliers;
- key;
- capacity (at least 10 liters);
- flat screwdriver.
Even without plumbing skills, you can loosen the retaining nut a little and bleed the air. If a gurgling noise appears, do not be alarmed ; this is how the system in which air has previously accumulated is filled with water. If you plan to carry out this operation in an old house, it is better to call an experienced plumber, since the nut may break.
This procedure will have to be carried out several times a year in order for the heated towel rail to function correctly.
Air in the heated towel rail: how to eliminate air pockets?
≡ 29 October 2015 · Category: Bathroom
Air in the heated towel rail is the main reason for the ineffective operation of the device. The towel dryer simply stops heating, so dry the towels.
The towel dryer is the original pipe in the bathroom. First of all, this is another replacement for heat exchangers, which are often not installed in bathrooms. Secondly, a drying device paired with good ventilation provides clean and dry air in the room, preventing the formation of mold and mildew.
As you know, the towel dryer is warm even in the summer, when the heating is turned off, all due to the fact that the device is connected to a hot water supply structure. If the house is not connected to a centralized hot water supply, purchase an electric analogue.
Even a fairly beautiful towel dryer may not warm well if there is air in it
Anyone who has used a heated towel rail for some time knows that you can’t live without it. The device is extremely useful in everyday life. Dry and warm towels are always waiting for you in the bath. You can dry small items (handkerchiefs, socks, etc.) or wet shoes on the heated towel rail.
The advantages of a towel dryer in the house are well known to parents who have to dry their children's gloves or shoes every day in the winter.
The main difficulty of the drying device
After a specific period of use of the towel dryer, you will find that it has stopped warming and at that moment is considered completely cool.
Residents of high-rise buildings can often encounter this problem when the centralized heating system is turned on in the autumn. At this time (when the pipes are filled with water), air may appear in the pipes. Similar plugs in most cases appear in the final parts of the heating system, which is what a heated towel rail is considered to be.
As soon as air appears in the pipes, the high-quality circulation of hot water is disrupted, so the dryer stops heating.
A long period of regular towel drying can significantly affect your habits and good quality ventilation of the bath, because a lot of moisture, even in seven days, can appear on the wall decoration of the room.
If you are going to install a towel dryer or have already installed it, you must be aware of all its methods and possible problems in solving them.
Letting the air out of the towel dryer yourself
Because the only difficulty that causes problems in the operation of the device is considered to be air - it must be removed.
Once you release the air from the towel dryer, it will work again at the same level. Relieving air locks is not difficult; you can deal with this problem yourself, without the help of professionals.
To make the mechanism warm again, the air can be released in 2 ways:
- Traditional or classic option.
- Today's version.
On certain models, the plugs are removed from the top of the towel dryer, there is a valve for bleeding the plugs.
The classic option for eliminating air involves draining the water. Because the towel dryer is connected to the water supply structure, you only need to drain all the water along with the air pockets. In houses with several floors, water is drained on the top floor through a riser. If the drain is located in your apartment, it is even easier - you can drain the water yourself.
Sometimes, draining all the water is not enough, and so you will need to resort to another option: unscrew the nut that secures the drying device to the pipes. The nut must be unscrewed very carefully and slowly. As soon as the air comes out, it makes sense for you to stop.
Be sure to remove everything from the bathroom in advance so as not to flood it with water, and place a water container under the mounting location.
Today’s option to bleed air involves a device called the “Mayevsky tap.” Many towel dryers are sold already in a set with a faucet, or you can purchase it separately.
The tap is attached to the drying device and is intended only for releasing air; it cannot turn off the water. The valve consists of an adjusting screw and a needle valve.
Using a specialized wrench or screwdriver, unscrew the screw, the valve will open, and the air will be completely released from the mechanism. The air must be released until water comes out without bubbles. Experts advise flushing the water until a trickle of not warm, but even hot water flows.
Before carrying out all the work, again, be sure to take precautions: remove from the bathroom everything that is afraid of moisture and place a water container under the towel dryer.
Installing the Mayevsky crane
The design of the crane is very simple. The process of installing a Mayevsky tap on your heated towel rail will be just as simple. This should only be done in the summer, when the heating system is turned off . Its main purpose is to bleed air and start the normal operation of the device.
The main task is to choose the right diameter of the faucet so that it matches the diameter of the pipe in the bathroom. There are several design solutions - a tap that can be opened and closed by hand or a screwdriver.
When installing the Mayevsky tap, the outlet hole should be located downward so that the air drains faster.
You can deflate the heated towel rail with your own hands in a matter of minutes. To do this, it is enough to have the means at hand and the necessary tools, as well as follow simple tips.
Installing a jumper to allow operation without shutting off the hot water supply
During operation of the heated towel rail, it may be necessary to replace the seals connecting the device to the water supply system. The service life of even the highest quality seals usually does not exceed 3 years. So that when replacing seals or the heated towel rail itself there is no need to shut off the water in the riser, thereby depriving neighbors of the opportunity to use hot water, care should be taken to install a jumper.
This work should be entrusted to a specialist who knows the necessary techniques for connecting pipes. To do this, in the places where the heated towel rail is connected to the riser, you should install ball valves and install a jumper, which also has a valve. With the taps at the inlet and outlet of the device closed and the tap at the jumper open, you can safely work without disturbing the water supply of your neighbors.
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