5 Signs Your Underfloor Heating System Needs Servicing in Cardiff
3 min read
Knowing when exactly your underfloor heating (UFH) system requires attention is essential. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, it’s best to have it checked sooner rather than later, as any hesitancy may result in costlier repairs that could’ve otherwise been avoided. Here are the top five signs that your UFH system requires some professional help, along with expert advice and practical solutions.
1)Inconsistent Heating or Cold Spots
A strong indication that your UFH system needs servicing is when there is an uneven warmth across your floors. If some areas feel colder than others, it could be due to flow issues, trapped air or pipe blockages.
Pro Tip: To rule out trapped air, homeowners can bleed air from the vent attached to their UFH system’s manifold.
However, if the above action didn’t do the trick, then it might be worth calling in a professional, who can later determine the necessary course of action. This might include adding inhibitors, adding a Magniflow® filter or flushing/purging the system.
“Without these corrections, particle build-ups can cause further damage to the mixing pump or blending valves”, warns Joshua Kelly, Cardiff-based UFH specialist.
2) Unusual Noises from the UFH System
When in a healthy state, your UFH system should operate quietly. However, if you start hearing any unusual noises, it could be due to trapped air or simply a loud pump head.
Before calling in a professional, homeowners should take note of the areas where the noise can be heard. Potentially, this can allow service providers to apply corrections more swiftly, which may involve air bleeding, flushing the system or changing over the pump.
According to The Underfloor Heating Store, with regular maintenance, wet underfloor heating (UFH) systems can last well beyond their standard 50-year lifespan, and in some cases, their lifespan can even be doubled.
3) Lack of Heat
A more obvious yet clear indication that your UFH system requires immediate attention is when it fails to produce any heat at all. Common culprits include faulty pumps, thermostatic valves that have become stuck or poor flow to the manifold.
Pro Tip(s): Before contacting a professional, be sure to check for the following:
1) When the system’s running, can the pump be heard?
2) Are the pipes hot when they’re feeding the manifold’s pump-side?
3) Can the TMV heads be removed? If yes, check the pins are moving freely.
If everything appears normal but the system remains cold, it’s time to call in a specialist engineer for a more advanced diagnostic.
4) Sudden Increase in Energy Bills
Have you noticed your heating bills rising without any real change in household usage or local energy rates? A sudden increase in your energy bill may indicate that your UFH system is working overtime, and a common cause for this is an inefficient circulation pump.
Further, this inefficiency may be due to wear and tear, possibly indicating the pump is nearing the end of its service life. A qualified technician can assess and, if need be, replace the faulty or aging pump with a more efficient unit.
“If ignored, a failing pump may stop working altogether, potentially leading to loss of heating or even a full system shutdown”, confirms Joshua Kelly, lead UFH engineer at Floorheat.
5) Leaks, Damp Patches, or Strange Odours
If water leaks or damp spots appear around your UFH manifold (or near the edges of heated areas); it could indicate an installer error. This type of issue is actually quite rare in wet UFH contexts, as relevant pipes are designed to be installed in one single loop (with no joints).
Any related leaks are often caused by human error, whereby someone has damaged the pipe with a drill (or similar). To remedy this, seals can be replaced, manifold nuts can be tightened, and thermal imaging can be employed to further investigate the issues at hand.
Pro Tip: Before requesting professional servicing, homeowners can periodically monitor the manifold’s gauge to check for drops in pressure.
Do you need help diagnosing your faulty UFH system in Cardiff?
Reach out to floorheat for a service quote, and get back to warm, worry-free floors in no time.
T: 029 20 025 779 | E: info@floorheat.co.uk
AUTHOR BIO
This article was written by Jon Sainsbury, one of Cardiff's leading experts in home building and improvement services. With the support of his team, Jon is determined to lead the way in reinforcing customer centric practices in South Wales' home services industry.
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