Batteries come in different types, but in Russia cast iron and aluminum are mostly common. Both those and others heat the room due to the hot water circulating inside. But when a layer of dust and dirt accumulates on the radiators, the heat transfer efficiency drops, so they need to be cleaned periodically. Let’s go over this procedure step by step.
1. Prepare everything you need
Ideally, it would be good to wipe the batteries with a damp cloth every week, but there is not always time for this. If you have not done this for a long time, you will have to do a more thorough cleaning.
To clean batteries, you will need:
- a vacuum cleaner;
- bucket;
- liquid detergent;
- a brush or stick on which you can wind a rag;
- two rags (for washing and wiping dry);
- a rag or a piece of polyethylene to lay under the battery;
- steam generator or hair dryer (optional).
2. Vacuum up as much dust as possible
For this, it is most convenient to use a flat crevice nozzle. But if it is not there, you can simply vacuum it with a tube. Carefully walk through all areas: behind and under the battery and between sections.
After that, lay a rag or a piece of polyethylene under the battery so that dirt and water drops do not fall on the floor during the next step. You can also cover the wall behind the battery with polyethylene, securing it with masking tape. This will help protect the wallpaper.
3. Wash the batteries outside
Cast iron
You will need a long brush, it will be easiest to clean between sections. You can also take a stick, wind a rag around it and secure it with electrical tape or tape. In a pinch, an old toothbrush will do. All these tools will make cleaning easier for you.
Pour warm water into a bucket, add a little liquid detergent, such as dishwashing liquid, and wet the brush. Then thoroughly clean the space between the sections with it. After the entire battery has been washed, wipe it dry to prevent rust.
Aluminum
The sections of the aluminum battery are too narrow, so the brush will not help here. To clean such a radiator, there are several other ways:
- With a steam generator. Treat them to a battery. The steam will turn into water, and it will flow down along with the dirt. Do not forget to put rags under the battery so that puddles do not form on the floor.
- With a hair dryer. They can blow out the battery. And so that the dust does not scatter throughout the room, place damp rags behind and under the battery – the dust will settle on them.
- With gloves. This won’t be as effective, but it’s fine if you don’t have a steam generator or hair dryer. Put on cotton gloves, soak them in water and use your hands to scrub as much dirt as you can.
4. Arrange to flush the battery from the inside
The battery or one of its sections may become clogged and therefore give off less heat. Here are the signs that this has happened:
- One of the batteries is colder than the rest in the house.
- The battery is colder to the touch than the pipe next to it.
- The battery warms up unevenly.
- One of the sections of the battery is cold.
In such cases, it is necessary to flush the radiator from the inside to remove accumulated deposits. To do this, use special chemicals or a very strong pressure of water. But this should be done by a specialist, so call a plumber or call your management company.