Preventing Radiant Heat Problems With Proper Planning

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Radiant heating systems are designed to effectively supply direct heat through floors or panels in the walls consequently radiating heat into the greater expanse of your home. With hot water or steam, technically called hydronic radiant system, there is a central boiler that heats the water and that also pumps hot water and steam through a strategically positioned system of pipes that zigzag beneath the floor or wall panel emitting or radiating heat. Often copper tubing is used since it is such a good conductor of heat energy and therein lays the challenge. When the copper tubing corrodes, water damage to your home can be the result. Hydronic radiant systems were the most common means of heating homes in many assembly line communities built in the 1950's in NY, NJ and PA. These homes have gained historical significance in the housing and building construction industry for its 26 step "assembly line style" of home construction where more than 17, 000 homes were built in a span of six years in Levittown PA by Levitt & Sons. Construction crews with specialized tasks moved from house to house and once this assembly line was in full swing they were able to complete a house every 16 minutes. In Pennsylvania during the 1950's, the steel industry was a major employer and the Levitt and Sons construction crews seized the opportunity and built levittown .

Radiant Heat Construction Issues

Typically, a hydronic boiler system has an expected lifespan of 30-50 years before they start giving way to corrosion. Here we are in 2011 and although many of the boilers have been replaced, the copper tubes for the most part, have stood the test of time although there have been more reports of these older systems breaking down and homeowners having to deal with the resulting water damage from burst pipes. As with the Levittown homes, these copper tubes were set within a concrete slab and leak detection is difficult should problems occur. Copper tends to expand or shrink through extreme temperatures. Over a period of sixty years, Pennsylvania has had its fair share of harsh winters and extremely hot summers. It is only a matter of time before an older radiant heat system will give way.

At the time it was a very novel approach to heating homes and has lasted over fifty years without major incidences, hot water radiant heating from floors and walls has proven very effective. Aside from the fact that it is more advantageous than "direct heat" system, a radiant heat system is considered to be an energy-efficient method to maintain warm temperatures through the cold winter season. Nevertheless, original radiant heat systems will eventually beak down and can pose a threat to your home should it be left unattended. It is important to flush the system and conduct leak detection tests by a professional plumber or remediation contractor trained in these systems. It is the water restoration services that have been called upon when a problem did occur in homes.

So what should any homeowner do when faced with the issue concerning a failing radiant heat system? Act fast when the problems are small as they will get larger if unattended. Maintenance should always be given the proper attention. It is always advised to seek a properly trained water damage restoration company or a skilled plumber to run leak detection tests. Should water damage happen, your insurance policy will dictate that you mitigate the damage as soon as possible. A storm damage cleanup service in Langhorne should be called in as these folks often have the right water extraction equipment. Most importantly is to not panic as a clear head in a crisis will always fair better.