Maintaining and Repairing Radiant Floor Heating Systems, by Pattie Hughes

If you own a radiant floor heating system, it will eventually need to be repaired. Repairing radiant floor heating systems can either be done by the homeowner or a professional, depending on the type of system and the difficulty of the repair that needs to be done.

Troubleshooting radiant heating systems can generally be done by the homeowner, if the system is electric. For hydronic systems, you will need to hire a professional.

Electric systems are easiest to fix

Electric radiant heating systems have very few moving parts and very rarely, if ever, fail. They are also the easiest to fix and can often be repaired by the do-it-yourselfer. This is why many people prefer electric over other types of systems.

When a problem does occur, in most cases the problem is caused when hot spots develop or the circuits become overloaded. If this is the problem, a panel or section of the electric system would need to be replaced. Be sure the system is turned off at the power source before doing any electrical work of any kind.

Hydronic systems require special testing

Repairing a hydronic system is a little more difficult. This isn't a do-it-yourself job for the average homeowner. Generally, the system will need to be pressure tested by a professional service person. With this test, the technician will be able to determine the size and location of the leak.

Once the location of the leak is determined, compression fittings and union clamps are used to replace the damaged sections of most types of tubing. However, the size of the leak will determine if repair is possible. If the damage is extensive, the system may need to be replaced. This can cost nearly as much as the initial investment, which is substantial.

Type of tubing matters

The type of tubing used in the hydronic system is another consideration in the repair process. A variety of problems can occur with hydronic radiant floor heating systems, depending on the type of tubing used during installation. Tubing can be steel, copper, plastic or rubber.

Steel tubing can be soldered to repair leaks, if the rest of the piping is not badly deteriorated. If the tubing is pitted or severely damaged, the entire section will need to be replaced. If the damage is extensive, the entire system of tubing may need to be replaced, which is very expensive.

Improper installation can lead to leaks

Systems with steel tubing can develop leaks if they are not installed properly. Also, the protective coating is sometimes rubbed away when the tubes are connected. This makes the tubing vulnerable to moisture, which damages the steel over time, causing leaks.

Accidentally over-pressurizing the system can lead to additional leaks, or make a minor leak into a major problem.

Professional testing required

Plastic tubing generally becomes brittle over time. This leads to cracking over time. The leaks can also develop at the places where the tubing is connected. Systems with plastic tubing will need to be tested by a professional. The pressure test needs to be handled carefully with plastic tubing. Accidentally over-pressurizing the system can lead to additional leaks, or make a minor leak into a major problem.