How it works
Loops of PEX tubing run through the slab or under the floor. A water and glycol mix flows through them, warmed by a heat source and pushed by a circulator pump. Manifolds split the flow between zones, and each zone can have its own thermostat.
Glycol is an antifreeze: if the heat goes off for a while, the tubing will not freeze. This is a significant advantage for a cottage that is not always heated, or for a garage.
In the slab or under the floor
For new construction, installing the loops in the slab is the simplest option. The loops go down on the insulation before the concrete is poured. This step is critical, because once the slab is poured, the tubing cannot be moved. We therefore plan the zones and manifold location with you before the pour.
In an existing house, we can often go under the floor from the basement or crawl space. It involves more work, but avoids removing existing finishes. If the project is part of a larger renovation, we can manage it as a general contractor.
A floor that is not heating properly
A zone that stays cold, a noisy pump, a pressure gauge that keeps dropping: glycol systems can be fixed, most of the time without touching the floor. It could be air in a loop, a weakening pump, a sticking zone valve, or glycol that has lost its properties over the years.
We check the pressure, the condition of the mix and the flow, zone by zone. A pressure drop caused by a leak calls for prompt service. For the rest of the plumbing, see our residential plumbing page.
Things to know before a project
Radiant heating provides even warmth, with no blowing air and a floor that is comfortable underfoot. However, it responds slowly: it cannot raise a room's temperature in a few minutes, so it is best suited to maintaining a steady temperature.
For new construction, radiant heating is planned alongside the excavation and the foundation. You can discuss it with us at the store at 77 rue Principale, or through the contact page.
