When is it better to change cast iron radiators in an apartment: tips

If you answer the question about when is the best time to change heating batteries in an apartment, in general we can say that it is spring-summer, i.e. period after the heating season. But when the situation is emergency, repairs must be carried out immediately. This material explains whether it is worth contacting the management company, at whose expense the work is being carried out, and what the procedure is.

Reasons for replacing batteries

When considering when it is best to change batteries, you can list different reasons. Theoretically, this can be done at any time, but in such a way as not to cause damage to neighbors. That is, replacement can be carried out even during the heating season, but your actions must be coordinated with the management company or HOA. If the house is not serviced by anyone, approval will be required from all owners who are serviced by the same riser.

As a rule, the data sheet does not contain information about when it is best to change batteries. But there is a generally accepted practice when old cast iron radiators are replaced after 30-40 years of operation (if the heating system is closed) or after 20-30 years (if it is open). Moreover, owners usually do not think about whether to replace cast-iron batteries with modern ones, since the latter have several advantages:

• lighter;
• look attractive;
• have greater heat transfer;
• completely resistant to corrosion;
• durable (service life from 20 to 50 years);
• resistant to mechanical shocks and other damage;
• tolerate high pressure up to 40 bar;
• Conveniently adjustable (can be turned off, lower the temperature).

Just from this list of advantages it is clear whether it is worth changing cast iron batteries. In addition, there are several obvious reasons when you need to start replacing, and in some cases urgently:

1. If radiators leak, even small drops appear on the surface, this indicates a loss of tightness. It is impossible to start such situations - otherwise an accident may occur. Therefore, there is no need to think about whether it is worth replacing cast iron batteries with modern ones.
2. If the apartment is cold in autumn and winter, this is another serious reason for a major overhaul. If, for example, the battery provides only a minimum room temperature of 18-20 degrees, you should think about urgent repairs, preferably in the summer. If the residents are heat-loving, it’s worth installing a battery with an increased number of sections, just in case.
3. Modernization of the heating system, installation of automatic regulators, equipping with a remote control system (via a smartphone application).
4. Interior renovation, replacement of radiators for aesthetic purposes. It is quite clear when it is better to change heating batteries - when carrying out a major overhaul of the entire apartment.

When is it better to change - in winter or summer?

There are urgent cases in which there is no question about when it is better to change the heating batteries. If they leak, this is a reason to immediately call a specialist from the management company and agree on the date and procedure for urgent repairs.

If the work is not urgent, deadlines should be set and planned in advance. It remains to be seen whether the batteries can be changed during the heating season. Most houses have a common riser, to which the radiators of all apartments located under each other are connected. It is clear that you cannot simply turn off the heating circuit except in extreme cases (leak, accident).

But in new buildings, apartment heating systems are sometimes used. In this case, the riser is placed in the entrance and branches are made on each floor. Then it’s clear when you can change the batteries in the apartment. You can turn them off individually at home, without your neighbors even knowing about it. Thus, it is better to carry out planned repairs in the summer, and urgent repairs at any time to prevent an accident.

How to replace batteries

When considering the question of when is the best time to change batteries in an apartment, you need to figure out what kind of property they belong to:

• common;
• personal property of the owner.

On this issue, disagreements may arise between the apartment owners and the management company. Although there is generally accepted practice, according to which a battery is considered personal property only if it is separated from the general property by shut-off valves (top and bottom). Otherwise, it is a common property, the repair of which is the responsibility of the management company.

Personal property

It is clear that if the radiator belongs to the owner of the apartment, he independently determines whether the old batteries need to be replaced with new ones. Moreover, you can also carry out repairs yourself, without the approval of the management company, or invite qualified specialists. But here it is important to understand 2 points:

1. It is better to work in the summer so as not to inconvenience your neighbors. If they receive certain damage, they can go to court to compensate for it.
2. If the heating system of an apartment building suffers due to poor quality repairs, the responsibility lies squarely with the owner. In turn, he may try to demand compensation for the damage by suing the company that carried out the repairs.

Common property

There is no doubt about whether it is possible to change batteries in the summer. This is the best time when you can calmly carry out repairs without disturbing your neighbors on the riser. But if the property is common property, then only the management company can make a decision on replacement. If the owner intends to do this himself, he must necessarily coordinate his actions with her by writing a statement and attaching the relevant documents, as well as photo and video materials.

Now it’s clear whether batteries are changed in winter. They do this only in extreme cases, when an emergency situation is imminent. If the radiators can be turned off individually, and this will not affect the neighbors, repairs can also be carried out at any time of the year. But if the work is performed poorly, responsibility for the consequences lies with the owner of the apartment.