Is it possible to hide or embed heating pipes made of polypropylene, metal-plastic or metal in the wall: pros and cons

One common query regarding home heating systems is whether or not heating pipes can be embedded or hidden inside walls. Exposed pipes can detract from the tidy, uncluttered aesthetic that many homeowners like for their living areas. Is it a feasible and secure solution to embed these pipes in the wall, though?

This choice is complicated by the fact that various pipe types—such as metal-plastic, polypropylene, and metal—have unique properties. Pipes can look neater when embedded, but there are some possible disadvantages as well, like damage risk and accessibility problems.

To assist you in determining whether this option is appropriate for your home, this article will examine the benefits and drawbacks of hiding or embedding heating pipes in the walls.

Hidden heating system

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There are many ways that modern technologies can enhance a room’s aesthetic appeal. This also applies to how heating pipes are installed in a room.

Because of the material’s durability during production, they can be installed in a wall.

Advantages and disadvantages

In a private home, it is most practical to install communications in a wall during the building phase in accordance with a previously made drawing. If you are planning a significant renovation of the space or the building as a whole, you can conceal pipes in a wall in an apartment building.

The room appears more prestigious when the heating is installed in the wall, and the extra space can be decorated.

  • heat transfer increases, since building materials have an increased level of heat transfer, unlike air;
  • the service life of polypropylene, from which pipes are made, reaches up to 50 years, ensuring the reliability of the structure subject to technical standards during their installation;
  • the space increases by several centimeters.

There are challenges to be addressed, though, like getting permission to relocate the room’s communications or the so-called redevelopment.

  • poor-quality propylene increases in volume when heated;
  • ordering a project to change the location of communications;
  • coordination of the project with regulatory authorities. Remodeling engineering systems in an apartment building will require a special permit;
  • joints may lose their sealing, which can only be determined with a device that measures water pressure;
  • risks associated with the readiness to destroy the wall in the event of a possible leak.

In the event of a leak, water may enter the adjacent lower apartment through a rupture in the wall’s heating pipes because the leak cannot be immediately fixed.

How to wall up heating pipes in a wall

Finding out what material the wall is made of, choosing the appropriate work method and order, and gathering the required materials are all important steps in hiding the heating system’s pipes inside the wall.

It is essential to test the heating pipes’ strength and thoroughly inspect them for potential damage before installing them.

Concrete

There are two methods for installing heating system pipes in an apartment in a panel apartment building: either building a false wall or using chases, which are channels made specifically for the purpose of installing heating pipes.

How to gradually remove heat from a panel house’s wall using chases:

  • you need to start by de-energizing the common house heating riser. You should make sure that the desired riser is disconnected;
  • the chases should not be located end to end. It is impossible to allow the contour to be pinched. The depth is calculated based on the parameters of the fasteners, their number and the layer of prepared insulation;
  • directly covering the heating pipes with an insulating layer. Insulation is used to avoid condensation;
  • then calculate the places for fastening and mark the locations of the fasteners.

It is accomplished with a grinder. It makes cutting the wall easier and enables you to complete tasks quickly in automatic mode.

It should be considered that the room’s volume will decrease when a false wall is constructed.

Brick

Chases in a brick wall are punched similarly to those in a panel wall.

How to install a portion of the heating system within a brick wall:

  • the depth or width of the channel is determined taking into account the amount of insulation winding on the surface of the pipe;
  • after which they are laid in the marked places and secured with clamps, previously fixed with self-tapping screws.

The system must be tested by allowing water to flow at high pressure for a few days. After confirming that there are no leaks, mortar putty is applied to the communications wall.

Wood

One elegant way to conceal pipes in wooden houses is to mount a wooden panel for the battery, which can also be used as a decorative element, over the pipes and cover them with a plinth. In order to maximize heat transfer and overheat the wooden surface inside the box, it is preferable in this instance if the horizontal has a lattice structure.

Plasterboard false walls can be used to block the heating system, but they take up space on any surface.

Monolith

A polypropylene pipe cannot be walled up if it has compression fittings.

When working with a monolith, it is advised to use an angle grinder and hammer drill.

When a hidden heating system is not allowed for safety reasons

Provisions in safety regulations stipulate that communications must function without hindrance. This means that since it is impossible to completely seal off a pipe’s joints, only the areas where there is no chance of a leak can be sealed.

The evaluation of wall thickness is within the regulatory authorities’ purview. Thus, the permit will be refused if it is insufficient.

It is important to consider the aesthetic benefits of hiding or embedding metal, polypropylene, or metal-plastic heating pipes in walls against any potential risks. Although hiding pipes can make them appear cleaner, it also makes them harder to fix and increases the likelihood that problems like leaks or corrosion will go unnoticed. Every material has advantages and disadvantages regarding flexibility, durability, and how it responds to being surrounded by walls; therefore, in order to prevent issues down the road, careful planning and appropriate installation methods are crucial.

How to service pipes in a wall

It suffices to arrange the heating system pipes in a wall according to the technology and order of work. Choosing premium materials and fastening components is crucial.

The heating system must be tested in operating mode under high pressure for at least one week prior to applying a plaster layer or erecting a false wall.

The structure can last up to 50 years if all the requirements are fulfilled, depending on the manufacturer’s warranty on the materials.

Expensive materials can be used to decorate the wall section where the pipes are hidden.

Although it’s a popular technique, installing the heating system camouflaged calls for extra safety precautions. Additionally, it can be challenging to get approval to conceal the apartment building’s heating system because, in accordance with technical specifications, all lines of communication must be accessible for free in the event of an emergency.

Material Type Pros and Cons of Hiding or Embedding in Wall
Polypropylene Pro: Resistant to corrosion and easy to install. Con: Can expand under heat, requiring careful installation to avoid leaks.
Metal-Plastic Pro: Combines the strength of metal and the flexibility of plastic. Con: Requires precise installation to prevent damage when embedding.
Metal Pro: Extremely durable and withstands high temperatures. Con: Prone to corrosion, which can be problematic when hidden in walls.

A cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing appearance can be achieved by integrating heating pipes into the wall, particularly in modern interiors where exposed pipes can detract from the overall design. There are compromises in this strategy, though.

Although metal, polypropylene, and metal-plastic pipes are safe to conceal within walls and are long-lasting, doing so makes repairs in the future more challenging. In the event of a leak or other problem, it might be necessary to break through the wall in order to reach the pipes, which would cost more money and take more time.

It’s crucial to take possible thermal expansion problems into account. Certain materials can expand or contract in response to temperature changes, such as polypropylene. If this movement is not properly taken into account during installation, it may eventually result in wall cracks or damage to the pipes.

All things considered, installing heating pipes in the wall can improve the look of your room, but it’s important to balance the advantages against any potential drawbacks. A successful outcome depends on careful planning, high-quality supplies, and expert installation.

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Veronica Gerasimova

Interior designer, author of books on the design of residential premises. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

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