Signs That Indicate Your Radiant Floor Heating System Is Leaking

A radiant floor heating system is an enjoyable luxury in a home. It keeps your home warm at a constant temperature all winter, and without the sinus and allergy issues that some people face with forced-air heating. If your system’s newer, you’ll likely never have any issues, at least not with leaks, as today’s PEX pipes don’t really lose strength overtime. But with older systems, which used metal piping, it’s not uncommon for structural problems to develop after 20 or 30 years of use. Here are the five most common signs that you might have a leak in your radiant floor heating in Glenwood Springs, CO.

Damage to floors

If your radiant floor heating system, which is embedded in a concrete foundational slab, begins to leak, the moisture released will eventually make it to the surface of the concrete and then into the flooring above. If you noticed wet or moldy carpets, or mold growing from the base of the walls up, or stains or black discolorations in your hardwood, these are all good signs that your radiant floor heating system has a leak.

Sudden changes in pressure

Check your system’s pressure gauge, which is mounted where the water is pumped out of your boiler. It should be somewhere within the range of 10-25 PSI, but if there’s a leak, it will be much lower. If it’s at 0, this is a clear sign that your system has an issue that needs addressing, most likely a leak.

Increased water costs

A leak means your system will constantly be refilling with water, so you should see a resulting increase in your water usage and costs. Most people don’t keep a close eye on their water meter, but if you do, this is often one of the earliest clues when you have an issue with your radiant floor heating system.

You can hear a leak

If you hear the noise of dripping, spraying or percolating water in the floor, that’s another serious clue that you have a leak in your system. If you can borrow or buy a stethoscope, this can give you a much clearer sense of what’s going on in your floor, as a small leak will not generally be audible through the concrete slab, unlike a moderate or larger leak.

Minerals deposits in the boiler

Because new water is constantly going through your boiler when you have a radiant floor heating system leak, mineral deposits build up at a much faster rate. If you notice buildup of calcium or lime, white, gray, pink or green powdery buildups, then your system is likely not functioning properly, and you should call a radiant floor heating repair company soon.

Radiant floor heating in Glenwood Springs, CO can cut down the cost of heating your home. It can add value to your home, and because there are no ducts or registers, there’s far less upkeep required, and dust and home pollutants aren’t being cycled through your home by forced air. It’s a truly wonderful way to heat your home, and for these reasons and many others, it makes your home far more livable. If you have a radiant floor heating system in need of repair or would be interested in receiving a quote for radiant floor heating installation, please give us a call here at Garrett Hansen Plumbing Inc.

Categorised in: Radiant Floor Heating

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