Repair in the bathroom, in the kitchen today involves the use of new materials. Steel, cast-iron pipes gradually come out of use. They were replaced today by polypropylene communications. This new material is easy to install, practical to use.
Soldering plastic pipes with your own hands requires accuracy from the master. This is a simple job that even lay people can do. To do this, you should familiarize yourself with the generally accepted installation technology, as well as purchase the appropriate equipment.
Material Features
Plastic pipe for water is used everywhere today. It has many advantages over other types of communications. Polypropylene is used today in cold and hot water supply systems, as well as heating and sewage systems.
It is a lightweight, durable material. When used correctly, it is characterized by a long service life (about 50 years). During sharp heating and cooling, polypropylene does not deform. However, pipes should be selected according to the temperature of the fluid inside.
Polypropylene is not subject to corrosion, lime deposits do not accumulate on its internal surfaces. They are safe for human health and the environment. Working with this material is simple, and the joints are very durable.
Types of pipes
Plastic pipe for water can belong to one of 4 categories. They are labeled with certain colors. If necessary, they can be connected to metal pipes. For this, special compounds are used.
Polypropylene pipes are used in closed, wall or open systems. The presented material is marked in accordance with the features of their operation. PN25 are intended for central heating systems. The water temperature in them should not exceed 95º. Such a pipe is reinforced with aluminum.
PN20 is considered a universal product. Such a pipe is used for both hot and cold water supply. The temperature in the network should not be higher than 80º.
PN16 is designed exclusively for cold water. It is used in networks where high pressure is present. It withstands significant water hammer. Therefore, in multi-storey buildings, this variety is used.
PN10 is considered the thinnest pipe. It is used to create cold water systems in a private house. In such pipelines, water should not be heated above 45 ° C. This is the most inexpensive type of communication. In accordance with existing operating conditions, it is necessary to purchase the required variety of pipes.
Connection Features
The ends of the pipes are interconnected using special equipment. It heats the material to the required temperature. The welding machine for plastic pipes brings the polypropylene to a viscous consistency. When docking, fittings may be used. After heating the parts, the master has a few seconds to align the structural elements.
A device for soldering plastic pipes is usually called an iron or a soldering iron. He heats the structural elements with the help of special nozzles. If the diameter of the communications is up to 63 mm, a fitting is placed at the junction. The connection may have a different configuration.
For large diameter pipes, fittings are not used. So the connection is more reliable. For parts with a diameter of more than 40 mm, centering devices must be used. Soldering tips can vary from 14 to 63 mm.
Minimum welding kit
If you plan to do the soldering of plastic pipes with your own hands, then this requires the wizard to prepare a certain set of tools. They can be purchased at a specialty store or rented.
First of all, you should take care of the availability of a special welding machine. It should have several nozzles and a stand. Most often, such equipment has two indicators. One shows whether the device is turned on, and the second - whether the nozzle is heated to the required temperature.
To quickly and efficiently cut pipes, you need to purchase special scissors. The cut in this case will be even. Use a hacksaw or grinder is impractical.
If you want to work with a reinforced pipe, you should also purchase a shaver. This device helps to remove the layer of aluminum foil.
Iron selection
The iron for plastic pipes must be of high quality. In this case, the repair work will not cause difficulties. There are a lot of brands and varieties of equipment presented. The principle of their work is one. The appliance heats its work surface to melt polypropylene to the desired level.
In order not to make a mistake in the choice, you should evaluate the appearance of the device. Metal, plastic soldering gun must be of high quality. There should be no defects on the device. The less plastic used in the design, the more durable the device will be.
A massive, heavy device, according to customer reviews, lasts much longer. Nozzles should be attached to the xiphoid mandrel tightly. They should not hang in grooves. The accuracy of the thermostat is also of great importance. The quality of the connections depends on this.
Types of equipment
Equipment for soldering plastic pipes may be different. On sale are manual, automatic and semi-automatic varieties. The first type of device is designed to connect pipes with a diameter of up to 2.5 mm. In this case, the heating control is carried out completely in manual mode.
Semi-automatic devices are characterized by a more advanced device. With their help, you can connect pipes of a sufficiently large diameter.
The quality of the seam in this case will be high. In manual mode, the parameters necessary for welding are set. The docking process is carried out hydraulically. The system delivers centered pipe edges to each other.
Automatic soldering irons require control of the welding process using a computer. He sets the necessary parameters before work. Without human intervention, the computer will conduct the welding process. The accuracy of the seam is the highest.
Welding methods
A plastic pipe welding machine can make certain types of joints. They differ in technology. There are butt, electrofusion welding and socket connection.
The most common is the first option. Butt welding is the lowest cost. To do this, both parts are heated to a predetermined temperature. They are removed from the device at the same time and connected to each other. In this position, parts of the system cool.
When welding into a socket, a coupling is used. The ends of the pipes are inserted into it. The use of additional fittings makes installation more expensive. Electromagnetic couplings are used when laying long pipelines or in seismically active areas. The coupling and pipe ends are heated at the same time using a special machine.
General recommendations for work
Before using the gun for soldering plastic pipes, it is necessary to consider general recommendations and all stages of the process of joining polypropylene. Experts recommend carefully measuring pipe segments. Only after conducting control can you connect them together. In order not to make mistakes, you should initially create a water supply network diagram. Each element in it must be numbered and indicate its size.
When heating and connecting the pipes, their length is slightly shortened (by 1-1.5 mm). This fact should be considered when carrying out work. Connect pipes to fittings carefully. It is recommended to use special tools to increase accuracy (ruler, plumb line, level, square, etc.).
It is necessary to monitor the appearance of fittings and pipes at the junction. At a certain distance from the end of the pipe, a ring forms when heated. It should be the same at all junctions. Beginners are recommended to make a mark on the nozzle. For example, for a 20 mm pipe in cross section, a mark should be made at a distance of 15 mm. Connections in this case will be neat.
Soldering Iron Preparation
Before use, the soldering iron must be installed on a flat surface. In accordance with the diameter of the pipes, the necessary nozzles are prepared. They can be used at once several varieties. Only then can it be heated.
The soldering temperature of plastic pipes is 260º. Therefore, all manipulations with the nozzles must be done before turning on the device. It will heat evenly. Therefore, the location of the nozzles does not matter much. When choosing an installation location, the wizard is guided solely by its preferences. Nozzles are attached with special keys.
The appliance sets the required heating temperature. Further, the apparatus is included in the network. It warms up for about 10 minutes. Until the unit has reached the required temperature level, its operation is prohibited. The heating process also depends on the season. The colder the room, the longer the soldering iron will heat up.
Pipe and fitting preparation
The technology of soldering plastic pipes requires the correct preparation of pipes and fittings. To do this, use the scheme of the future system. Pipes are cut in accordance with it into the required pieces. With a pipe cutter or special scissors, they are cut at a right angle. The edge is quite flat.
Slicing locations must be handled correctly. To do this, the edge is cleaned and treated with a degreasing solution. The same procedure is performed with a fitting. For this, an alcohol or soap solution is suitable. After that, all parts should be thoroughly dried.
Pipes of PN10-20 grades can then be soldered. For varieties of class PN25, it is required to further clean the joints of the foil. For this, a shaver is used. This takes into account the depth of the nozzle, which will connect the structural parts.
Soldering
After the preparatory work, the plastic pipes are brazed, this is not difficult to do with your own hands. Details put on nozzles. The fitting is installed on the mandrel, and the pipe at the specified depth (to the limiter). In accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, the heating time is maintained. For each kind of pipe, the time will be different.
The system element is removed from the soldering iron. Quickly and accurately they are interconnected. You cannot scroll or bend them. The pipe must enter the fitting to the required depth. Next, the design cools down. After that, check the connection for strength. Water is passed through the pipes.
Having considered how to solder plastic pipes with your own hands, even a novice master will be able to choose the right equipment and carry out the whole process quickly and efficiently.