Modern technologies for arranging underfloor heating using sliding fittings greatly simplify the installation of pipes based on polypropylene and cross-linked polyethylene (SP). The German company Rechau is a leader in the production of products of this class, providing its customers with a 10-year warranty on all offered goods. For a complete product evaluation, you will need to familiarize yourself with the types and basic characteristics of Rehau pipes for underfloor heating.
Main types and specifications
The most sought after Rechau pipes for underfloor heating are Stabil, Pink, and Flex.
Stabil
Stabil pipe products are highly versatile, allowing them to be used in the installation of underfloor heating and in various heating circuits. They are made on the basis of polyethylene coated with a thin layer of aluminum using PE-RT technology. For completeness of the description, you should familiarize yourself with the technical characteristics of these products, which are standardized for various temperature indicators. At the working temperature of the coolant, they look like this:
- working pressure at which the system operates for a long time up to 6 atmospheres;
- maximum permissible pressure withstood by the walls of the pipes - up to 10 atmospheres;
- minimum bending radius in millimeters - 60;
- service life - up to 50 years;
- the ability to work at high temperature hot media (up to 95-100 degrees).
For various temperature indicators, the magnitude of the working and ultimate pressures can be very different from the normalized indicator. It varies in the range from 6 to 20 atmospheres. Products of this class contain a number of additional elements, represented by a special sleeve with a coupling. The latter are intended for reliable sealing of pipe joints, which significantly increases the convenience and quality of installation.
Flex
The Flex product range is only slightly different in design from the pipe variety considered. The difference is in the following nuances:
- there is no aluminum coating characteristic of the Stabil series, which increases the product's flexibility and simplifies its installation;
- the inner surfaces of the tube blanks are protected by a special composition that eliminates the risk of air entering the flow channel;
- for their articulation, a set of special sliding sleeves is used, which allow dispensing with sealing parts and joint assemblies.
Rehau Flex pipes are made on the basis of seamless polyethylene and are equipped with a special sensor that controls the level of heat transfer from the floor heating system. Products are supplied in bays of 100 and 50 meters or segments of a fixed length of 6 meters. In terms of resistance to the spread of fire, pipes of this series have a flammability class B2 (normal).
Pink
Pink brand products are made of pink (red) polypropylene; their characteristics practically do not differ from those already considered for PE-RT products. A significant difference regarding production features is the use of a protective layer made using Eval technology. Despite the fact that its use reduces the thermal return of the system of tube heaters, due to the innovative approach, the resistance to destructive effects and deformations is increased.
The fire resistance class of pipe products in this series is B2.They are also available in coils of 100 or 50 meters in length, depending on the diameter of the pipes. If desired, fixed pieces of workpieces with a length of 30, 12 or 6 meters are selected. Products of this series are ideally suited for flooring in residential and industrial buildings, as well as for heating ramps, sports tracks and outdoor areas.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of a German manufacturer's pipe products include:
- ease of installation, due to the ease and flexibility of the tube blanks themselves;
- long service life (up to 50 years);
- silent operation and environmental friendliness of the material used;
- large selection of models;
- high heat resistance, as well as the ability to retain heat.
During installation, you can forget about corrosion and not worry about leaks due to the destruction of the walls. The advantages of pipes from Rechau also include versatility. Many models are suitable for arranging underfloor heating and for designing water heating circuits and sewer systems. High strength properties exclude the possibility of cracks at high pressures in the system.
Pipe wiring is mounted without the usual bolted connections; during operation, no deposits of salt deposits appear on internal surfaces. The advantage of these products lies in the fact that a large selection of fitting connectors allows you to insert into existing heating systems, including underfloor heating.
The disadvantages of pipe products from Rehau are:
- comparative high cost of pipe material;
- the high cost of auxiliary components designed for the installation of underfloor heating and other systems;
- the need to install P or G shaped temperature compensators on extended sections of pipelines;
- the need for fixing elements for long and flexible runs of polyethylene pipes.
Despite a number of significant shortcomings, the Rehau-PEX pipe products and other product samples are gradually gaining the domestic market, crowding out potential competitors.
Rechau pipe sizes and applications
In terms of width, the products presented by the company are available with values from 2.2 to 8.6 mm, and in diameter - from 16 to 63 mm. They come on sale in the form of 6-meter sections or in bays of two standard sizes, which, if necessary, are cut into blanks that are a multiple of 10 meters.
Pipes for underfloor heating Rehau made of cross-linked polyethylene is used for the following purposes:
- heating of country houses and industrial facilities;
- arrangement of indoor water conduits;
- the construction of underfloor heating and heating systems of a similar type.
In addition, pipes from the PEX series are used for strapping air conditioners, as well as for heating football fields and sports fields.
Safety Requirements
Rechau pipes are a reasonable choice for users who want reliable, high-quality underfloor heating. With their help, the apartment maintains a comfortable temperature, contributing to the creation of a cozy atmosphere. It is important to observe the following safety rules:
- on floors with water heating it is not allowed to use special coatings that impede free thermal output;
- it is forbidden to place large-sized objects on them that can cause deformation of expensive pipe products;
- if malfunctions or violations in the operation of the heating system are detected, it is necessary to turn off the coolant supply and call the plumbing;
- when leaving the apartment for a long time, it is also recommended to shut off the heat supply;
- with a short absence of people in the room, it is desirable to set the minimum heating temperature.
Under simple operating rules, a floor mounted on the basis of Rechau pipes will last a very long time. Any violations detected during operation of the system are usually explained by violations of the installation technology of the warm floor.
