Without a doubt, the underfloor heating technology used today is by far a more economical method of heating the home. The house is heated by hot water that flows through pipes or electrical cables. When underfloor heating systems are installed, they are often installed under a raised floor with access hatches. These access hatches allow access to the heating system for maintenance or troubleshooting should a problem arise.
Depending on the type of underfloor heating system, there are a few things that could go wrong. For example, if water pipes are used to heat the house, the pipes could leak. This is especially true if the heat has not been used for quite some time and there is standing water left in the pipes. In this case, the first thing to do is check for possible leaks. You will need to open the access hatches to your heating system, observe and check for visible moisture under the raised floor. If your heating system appears to be leaking water, you will need to diligently locate any leaks.
Another malfunction is noticing that the heating system does not get hot enough to warm the floors. In this case, you will want to immediately check the rating of your boiler. If the rating is insufficient, the boiler may not be able to get hot enough to heat your home.
If, on the other hand, your heating system uses electrical cables, that is a completely different matter. Instead of using piped heated water, an electrical element is designed and placed under the floor. As electrical current flows through this element, it heats up and transfers the heat to the floor.
Unfortunately, there are several things that can affect the performance of electric underfloor heating. First of all, it could be a matter related to the fuses and the wiring of the electrical element itself.
Second, and definitely the most feared, are rodents. Damage from rodents such as house mice or rats, or even a stray squirrel that found its way, could damage the system cables.
Regardless of what type of system your home is equipped with, you need to examine and ultimately determine the cause of the malfunction. If you do have a hot water system, plumbing leaks can be very costly and damaging to your home. If you are very lucky and the leak is not around a connection joint, this will be an easier fix. In this case, you can purchase plumbing tape at a plumbing supply store. Thoroughly moisten the tape in water and wrap it securely around the leaking pipe. If, on the other hand, you are unlucky and the leak is around a connection joint, you will need to use a plumbing product called epoxy resin. Ultimately, the best and most desired repair is to replace the section that is leaking. If this is a financially feasible option, it’s your best bet.
In the event that you have electric underfloor heating, in some cases it could be a simple case of just a blown fuse. If that is the case, a simple solution of replacing the fuse will solve the problem. Unfortunately, in the vast majority of cases, however, it is damage caused by mice and rats chewing on electrical wires. This of course results in a short circuit in the wiring system. In this case, you must replace the sections of the affected cable. After that, it is necessary to rid the area of rodents by poisoning rodents.
If you are unsure about replacing electrical wiring, it is best to hire a licensed electrician. Both of these underfloor heating systems are efficient and less expensive to heat your home. Proper care and maintenance will keep them operational for years to come.