As a rule, a bathroom is a small room, but this does not lose its importance. It is here that people take a shower, small children bathe, so a comfortable microclimate is required. In addition, linen is washed and dried. This means that the room must be provided with a source of dry heat. You can install batteries in the bathroom. It is about radiators that we will talk about in our article today.
Types of bathroom radiators
The room is a room with high humidity, which means that not every heating radiator will be able to operate without fail. In order for the selected heating battery in the bathroom to work flawlessly, you first need to understand what basic technical characteristics different types of radiators have. There are several of them: cast iron, steel, aluminum and bimetallic. Let us dwell on each type in more detail.
Cast iron radiators in the bathroom
These are bulky radiators with some advantages: they have good heat dissipation, have a long service life, and their price is more acceptable. The best option is the presence of powder spraying, which performs a protective function. The paint consists of polymer particles, ceramics and metal chips. The dispersion that is applied at the factory envelops the surface of the battery with a uniform, heavy-duty layer.
Steel radiators - is it worth the risk?
This option is definitely a losing one, this is noted in the reviews. Steel in extreme conditions of the bathroom will rust faster, and soon leaks will begin to appear, and at the time of seasonal pressure testing, disaster will come at all - strong water pressure will certainly find a weak spot and break through the radiator. Therefore, this option does not suit us.
Aluminum
Aluminum batteries in the bathroom - a lightweight and compact option, fits perfectly into the interior of the house with individual heating. For centralized networks, it is necessary to choose a reinforced model, because the standard battery does not withstand water hammer. Also detrimental to such batteries is the constant exposure to low-quality coolant. And if the aluminum radiator is directly connected to the cast-iron pipe, then in this case the process of accelerated corrosion of aluminum is inevitable. Battery life is pretty short.
Bimetal radiators
This option takes into account the main factors of domestic heating systems. Steel radiator, "dressed" in a shirt made of aluminum. This is the most suitable option that will last at least 15-20 years.
Water heated towel rail
This invention can hardly be called innovative, because such coils were used in the days of developed socialism. However, their appearance did not constitute a standard of attractiveness. Modern water heated towel rails are elegant chrome appliances that are connected to a heating system or to a hot water supply. The principle of operation of this unit is to circulate hot water through its pipes. The main advantage is profitability, and the disadvantages include the complexity of the first installation.
Electric drying equipment
If for some reason there is no water heating or hot water supply, an electric battery-dryer can act as a wall battery in the bathroom . In order for it to function, just plug it into a power outlet. The principle of operation of an electric heated towel rail is to heat the heating medium with a heating element. It makes no sense to worry about a large consumption of electricity, because this device consumes it no more than an ordinary incandescent lamp.
Connection Methods
Depending on what needs are being pursued, the heated towel rail is connected to the pipes of the water supply system using the upper or lower nozzles. But you need to remember about the loss of power (by 10 percent), if the connection is made through the lower pipes. In case of replacing the old coil with a battery-ladder, it is better to use a model with lateral connection, the center distance of which is 50 centimeters. Each type of battery in the bathroom comes with wall mount brackets. They are needed to adjust the hanging depth and align the installation relative to the wall surface.
The electric wall-mounted battery for the bathroom should not be placed closer than 60 centimeters from the toilet, sink, bathroom. The socket must be equipped with a sealing ring, and the plug must have good insulation. Only a professional should install this type of battery.
General installation requirements
Installing the battery in the bathroom water principle of operation is carried out with the basic requirements:
- The diameter of the dryer tubes should be equal to the diameter of the riser - no narrowing or expansion.
- It is necessary to install a jumper between the taps of the heated towel rail.
- Do not mount shutoff valves on the jumper. This also applies to the pipeline section to the bypass.
- The dryer must be installed at a height of at least 120 centimeters from the floor.
- The distance between the wall and the heated towel rail with a tube diameter of up to 2.5 centimeters should be 3-4 centimeters. With a diameter of more than 2.5 - 6-7 centimeters.
The universal insertion method
The coil works on the principle of a gravity pump. If you correctly embed it, then the natural circulation and the correct operation of the radiator are guaranteed. It is necessary to develop the installation scheme, strictly following the instructions of the model, as well as taking into account the location of the riser in the bathroom.
For most models, the best option for insertion is the flow of coolant through the upper bends (and exhaust is done from the bottom). It is achieved using universal connections for the battery in the bathroom (photo of examples of work is in our article). This type of insert has several advantages:
- the direction and speed of the water in the riser in no way affect the performance of the battery;
- there is no need to bleed air after circulation is turned off.
Another important advantage is the independence of the installation from the location of the riser.
Step-by-step installation of the battery in the bathroom
The first step is to prepare the materials and tools. The tool is selected depending on the type of water pipes in the room. If installation is through PP pipes, then it is necessary to ensure the availability of ball valves, mounting brackets, pipes made of polypropylene, a soldering iron and a knife for PP pipes.
The next step is the dismantling of old equipment. Here, some preparatory work will be required - to coordinate, if necessary, with the house management company the possibility of disconnecting the riser from the water. Well, then - according to the situation. If the coil is welded to the riser, you just need to cut it off with a grinder, if it is screwed on, unscrew and dismantle it.
Step Three Install bypass and ball valves. Of course, the battery mount can be installed without a bypass, but, following the recommendations of specialists, it is better to install it. At the ends of the dryer, ball valves must be installed. This will block the water without shutting off the riser.
And the final step is to install the dryer coil. Here the process is the same as with nailing the shelf on the wall. The only condition is vertical alignment of the coil and compliance with the permissible distance from the wall.
How to hide the battery in the bathroom?
How to make the radiator not so noticeable? There are four ways to mask batteries in a bathroom:
- Drywall box construction. To do this, use moisture-resistant drywall sheets, because ordinary ones can not cope with extreme temperature conditions. The construction is constructed in the simplest way: a box is made of profiles, sheets cut out in shape are superimposed on it. In the top sheet, you need to make several holes so that warm air enters the room.
- Decor with tiles. This method is similar to the previous one, however, it is characterized by an increased level of energy consumption.
- Disguise behind plastic panels. This method is the simplest and relatively cheap. Low fire resistance is the main disadvantage of this method.
- Camouflage using blinds. This method is suitable for those who value the useful area of the bathroom. Blinds allow constant access to communications.
In addition to these four methods, there is also a radical one - installing the battery directly into the bathroom wall. However, due to the complexity and impossibility of servicing during an unusual situation, it is better not to tempt fate and not to commit rash acts.