8 Essential Checks to Prevent Underfloor Heating Problems

If you have problems with the underfloor heating, this is the ideal time to carry out the necessary checks to keep it in perfect working order.

In the situation where you want your heating system to be checked, it is good to contact installers specialized in heating and plumbing.

Such checks should not take more than an hour, so the installers or plumbers will easily be able to give you an estimated price quote.

Or why couldn’t they offer their customers this service of checking or adjusting the temperature for underfloor heating for free?

And, while they’re with the client, they can see if there aren’t other things to do?

Of course with underfloor heating, you are almost safe because there are not many components to handle or joints where water can flow.

Even if it is connected to a gas boiler, a wood boiler or a heat pump, its operation is the same.

I’m going to present you with a simple 8-step underfloor heating checklist that plumbers can use to provide excellent customer service.

And to be able to avoid those panicked phones that ring late on a Sunday evening. And if you are one of the customers, know what to look for when your underfloor heating system is checked.

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Problems with underfloor heating

#1. Check the pressure in the floor heating circuit. 

This should be around 1 bar, although some boilers may require a higher pressure. You can see what pressure a boiler must have in the manual.

#2. Check if the recirculation pump for underfloor heating is working. 

Starts the system and creates a heat request from the thermostat. Check if the underfloor heating pump is working by simply touching it. And then check if the flowmeters of the distributor are circulated by water.

#3. Check if the underfloor heating stops. 

When the system and room thermostat are on, it turns off every thermostat in every room so there is no heat demand. The floor heating pump should stop.

The boiler should be turned off, unless there is a request for hot water or a request from a radiator circuit, in which case you turn them off as well.

There must be no flow through the distributor or through the distributor flow meters from the underfloor heating.

#4. Check that each zone is turned on. 

Go to each room or area and turn the thermostat to the highest temperature or until you feel it has reached maximum. Return to distributor.

The under floor pump should now be running, the boiler should be on and in about a minute, the flow gauge should start showing flow.

This means that the area or room is working. Return to the room again, turn the thermostat down to turn off the heating zone. Return to the distributor. The pump should have stopped.

The flow indicator should show no (or low) flow and the boiler should be off (although some will operate more as a safety option). Do the same for the next room.

#5. Check that the thermostats are configured correctly. 

Kids and wives love to play with the underfloor heating thermostat. Determine what temperatures you want to have in each room and when you want these temperatures to start.

Program the temperature settings on the thermostat. If you reduce the temperature to a low value and reduce the time the system is in operation, you can help reduce the bills.

If you have simple thermostats, then you can install fully programmable thermostats or some controlled via the Internet.

#6. Check for leaks. 

Restart the entire system and let it do its normal business while you drink a cup of coffee and check out some more tutorials from Heating Savvy.

Observe all visible components very carefully. Look for anything that doesn’t look normal or for signs of leaks at joints and valves.

#7. Vent the circuit. 

It’s time to bleed the system according to the proper instructions. Most underfloor heating systems have a manual or automatic venting mode on the distributor, but in a mixed radiator return underfloor heating system, you will need to act at the highest point of the system, usually the radiator in a bedroom. Of course, in a mixed system, make sure all thermostatic heads are open.

#8. Check the system pressure again.

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Possible problems with underfloor heating and how to solve them

Like any heating system, there may be times when underfloor heating does not seem to work as it should.

The technical team at Heating Savvy helps you get to the root of the problem, whether it’s electrical in nature or just a problem with a faulty part, so you can get your system back up and running.

Let’s take a look at some of the possible underfloor heating problems you may encounter and how we can fix them.

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Underfloor heating does not heat a room

If a single area isn’t heating up as expected, it could be caused by a number of small problems that are fairly simple to fix:

  • A valve stuck at the actuator

You need to remove the actuator from the affected area to check if the valve pin is stuck. If it is stuck, it can be loosened with a silicone spray. Or use WD 40 lubricating spray.

  • The underfloor heating actuator is faulty

If the actuator is faulty, this is most likely due to an electrical problem that could be related to a thermostat or electrical wiring. It is best to have a qualified electrician check the circuits.

A faulty actuator can also cause the underfloor heating system to switch on permanently.

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Defective under floor heating thermostat

You can easily reset a thermostat by following the user guide. If the system uses wireless, battery-powered thermostats, it’s also a good idea to check for dead batteries.

If none of these options work, it could be an electrical fault, which means you need to contact a qualified electrician.

A faulty thermostat can also cause the underfloor heating system to turn on permanently.

  • Air in the pipe of the underfloor heating system

There could be air bubbles in the underfloor heating piping. As soon as the air bubbles have been removed, the system will operate at maximum parameters again. A qualified plumber is best to perform this task.

  • Cable problems: faulty connection

This problem may be related to an actuator, thermostat, or electrical wiring. Being an electrical problem, it is best to contact a qualified electrician to fix the problem.

  • The thermostat is not set correctly

Most thermostat errors will be shown on the system display. Simply set the thermostat according to the user guide for correct operation.

  • The flow meters were not opened correctly on the distributor

You will need to adjust the flow meters. To do this, consult the manual of the underfloor heating system, as the distributors may vary (then you can adjust the temperature from the underfloor heating).

  • The underfloor heating does not heat up. Heating temperature regulation in the floor

You may also find yourself facing problems where you will notice that several areas or even the entire underfloor heating system does not heat up as it should. There are several reasons why this happens:

  • Circulation pump for underfloor heating

The floor circulation pump may be faulty. This is an electrical problem, so it is recommended that you consult a qualified electrician or replace the pump.

  • Fault in the electrical connection of the pump

This is another electrical problem that should be checked by a qualified electrician.

  • Isolation valves closed on the floor distributor

The handle of the isolation valve must be aligned with the distributor pipes and placed in the open position.

  • The underfloor heating vent is blocked

To solve this problem, you should remove the auto breather cover and check if the breather is blocked. If it is stuck, it can be loosened with a silicone spray. Or you can replace it to be sure that you won’t have any more problems.

  • The heating plant does not start (does not receive the start command)

In this situation, you will need to consult a licensed plumber or electrician who will check the electrical connections.

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The under floor heating pump does not stop

If you experience this problem, it could be due to one of the following underfloor heating problems:

  • Defective under floor thermostat

As mentioned earlier, you can easily reset a thermostat by following the user guide. It’s also a good idea to check the room thermostat’s batteries if the system uses a wireless, battery-powered thermostat.

  • Faulty actuator

If an actuator is faulty, this is most likely due to an electrical problem that could be related to a thermostat or circuit board. You should consult an electrician or plumber.

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Increased pressure in the floor heating circuit

There are several potential issues that could cause the pressure in the system to increase:

  • The loading valve of the installation is open

Check the loading valve of the installation. It must be in the closed position. If it is old, or has been used many times, it may no longer work well and need to be replaced.

  • There is a blockage in the pipe or filters

If the pressure remains high even when the system is shut down, it is unlikely that a blockage in the pipes is the cause. However, if the pressure varies when the pump speed changes (or when the pump stops), there may be a restriction – either a blockage or some air gaps.

  • Defective expansion tank (damaged membrane)

If water comes out of the expansion tank, the membrane inside the tank is broken and you will have to replace the entire tank (in terms of underfloor heating, the disadvantages can sometimes be major). However, it is quite possible that the membrane is simply devoid of air, meaning that there is no room for the water to move forward as it heats up, resulting in increased pressure. Refill the vessel with air to normal working pressure.

  • Loss of pressure on the system (the plant stops at low pressure)

Rather than seeing an increase in pressure in the system, you may find that the system is losing pressure (water temperature for underfloor heating is no longer at normal values). There are several ways you can identify the causes of this problem:

Check the system for possible leaks in the pipes, distributors and cylinder. This also includes a quick look at the safety valve, automatic air vent and expansion tank (the underfloor heating and radiators diagram is very useful in this case). You can use the paper method for radiators.

Re-pressurize the system (see boiler manual) and isolate all distributors. Check again if the pressure drops. This will help you identify the area where there are leaks.

Check that the expansion vessel on the boiler side is not leaking.

Check that the boiler exhaust valve has no leaks.

All the above operations should be performed by a qualified installer.

Underfloor heating Pipe

What must be considered before installing an underfloor heating system

Ultimately, the efficiency and success of an underfloor heating system depends on the quality of the products and installation.

In terms of underfloor heating, the opinions are almost unanimous in this regard. Therefore, choosing a supplier that offers a good design service and after-sales service is very important.

A specialist underfloor heating company is often best suited to achieve this, especially as there are a number of beliefs that underfloor heating is harmful to health.

If the design is poor, it is very unlikely that the homeowner will realize where the problem is – and it may be too late to do anything.

Finally, if you choose to use an underfloor heating system in tandem with a heat pump, it’s a good idea to also choose a company to handle the supply and installation.

Both are complex systems and to make the entire heating system work in perfect harmony can be a difficult operation. Just think what combined floor heating and radiators mean to someone who knows nothing about plumbing.

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Is it worth installing an underfloor heating system?

Radiators have served us well for many years: they are cheaper to purchase; easier to place and come in a wide range when it comes to size, style and installation. But they are less efficient and take up space.

Perhaps one of the major problems is related to the fact that in larger rooms there can be a temperature difference of up to 4 ° C across the entire room.

People want homes that are as energy efficient as possible and a system that offers a 15% reduction in energy levels (compared to a radiator system) is something that cannot be ignored. And that’s not to mention the superior comfort you get and the ample space you’ll have at your disposal.

Have you had problems with underfloor heating? Write in the comments.

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