How to Care for Hot Water Radiant Floor Heat
Hot water radiant heat, or hydronic heat, has been in use for thousands of years. It was used in Ancient Rome and in Korea to keep floors warm, but fell out of use in North America and most of Europe. Recently, advances in radiant heating technology have made it a lot more popular in new construction, but not everyone knows how to maintain this type of heating system. Hydronic floor heat requires very little maintenance, but should be checked from time to time to ensure it works properly. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Manufacturer's instructions for your system
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Instructions
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Determine what type of hot water radiant floor heat is present in your home. Modern systems require very little maintenance, since they use polyethylene tubing to transport water, and lubricate their pumps with water. Older systems using copper or steel pipes may develop leaks, and usually require more intensive pump maintenance. Check your instructions to be sure, or have the home inspected.
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Clean the area around the boiler. Remove flammable items, such as paper or fabric, and sweep or vacuum regularly.
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Check the water pressure. Most systems will include a pressure gauge to assist you in determining the pressure inside the circulation loop. Use the manufacturer's instructions to find out the ideal pressure for your system. If the pressure drops, there is a leak somewhere in the system which must be repaired.
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Have your boiler inspected. Check manufacturer recommendations to find out how often your boiler or water heater should be looked at. Call a professional to schedule this maintenance. Most installers offer a yearly maintenance package for boilers or water heaters.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep your design plan handy to show tubing locations.
Always call the installer for repairs to your hydronic heating system.
Never disconnect or move parts of your system without referring to your warranty.
Steel pipe systems corrode easily and may not be repairable.
