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In recent years, underfloor heating has gradually entered people’s lives. Not only have many newly built housing developments adopted underfloor heating methods, but some homeowners have also replaced their radiators with floor radiant heating systems. However, due to improper initial construction and lack of attention during later use by homeowners, many problems can arise.
**Improper Early Design and Construction**
Mr. Liu from the Gaoxin area started using underfloor heating last year. After two months of use, he noticed that the heating was not as warm anymore, but because it wasn't particularly noticeable, he didn't pay much attention. This year, after the heating began, a serious water leakage problem occurred. When the home renovation company's personnel pried up the floor, they found that there was a sand hole in the pipeline during installation. The sand hole turned into a crack after one year of using the underfloor heating system, causing the leak. Issues caused by improper initial construction can be very troublesome. Not only does it require prying up the entire floor again, but the underfloor heating pipes must also be reinstalled. Therefore, when designing and decorating initially, homeowners should not shy away from detailed inspections to prevent potential problems.
Firstly, the pipeline layout needs to be reasonable. Wang Chaojun, the head of the Longfa Decoration Engineering Department, said: "Before laying the underfloor heating, the pipeline layout must go through professional calculation and design. The underfloor heating pipelines are a complete set of supply and return loops, so the length and spacing of the pipelines need to be appropriate. The density of the pipelines in different rooms should be even, and within a unit, the lengths of the pipelines should be as close as possible. The pipelines must have smooth bends rather than folded angles. Because the water quality used in underfloor heating is generally dirty, blockages may form at folded corners, which can significantly impact the underfloor heating."
Secondly, the construction techniques must be professional. Homeowners are advised to choose construction teams with professional qualifications to avoid potential hazards brought on by rough construction. When selecting pipelines, it's important to choose those with quality assurance, as some construction teams might cut corners by choosing poor-quality pipelines. These pipelines often have uneven wall thicknesses or are especially thin, leading to larger time-distance gaps between the laid pipelines, affecting the heating results. Wang Chaojun said: "Laying underfloor heating tests the strength of the construction team. There must be no joints below ground level across the entire room where the pipelines are laid, nor are nails allowed on the ground."
Finally, don’t fear the trouble during acceptance. Homeowners must ensure that property management conducts pressure tests during the inspection of new homes. In general, it is recommended to conduct a pressure test after water, electricity, and circuit renovations are completed, after tile work is finished, before sanitary ware and kitchenware are installed, and before the first heating season begins.
**Improper Use and Maintenance**
Ms. Li has been using underfloor heating for three years. Since the start of winter this year, she noticed that her underfloor heating was not getting hot, while other nearby residents had no issues. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the long-term neglect of cleaning the underfloor heating system had caused a clogged filter. After cleaning the filter, the heating returned to normal. Improper use and neglect of maintenance by homeowners are also among the reasons why underfloor heating may not get hot.
Underfloor heating may not get hot due to air in the pipes. Ren Wenjie, the manager of the engineering department at Urban Families, introduced: "If the main pipe of the underfloor heating is hot but the return pipe is not, it indicates that there is air trapped in the pipes, preventing hot water from entering the return loop and thus stopping circulation. At this point, you should use the air vent valve on the manifold to release the air until hot water comes out. Sometimes, the underfloor heating not getting hot could also be due to simple operational errors, such as valves not being fully opened, or the inlet valve being wide open while the outlet valve is barely open."
Arbitrarily modifying the system can easily create hidden dangers. Some homeowners have replaced their radiators with floor radiant heating systems, and in such cases, it is crucial to select the correct gas boiler. When choosing a gas boiler, homeowners must consider whether it can adequately heat the area of their home. If a gas boiler is used both for underfloor heating and hot water supply, insufficient hot water supply may lead to the underfloor heating not getting hot enough. Cheng Shuangbin, the manager of the engineering department at Jinchao Decoration Company, suggested: "Since radiators and underfloor heating pipelines use different materials at their interfaces, a conversion joint must be used. Poor-quality conversion joints can easily cause leaks, creating hidden dangers. Therefore, it is recommended that homeowners use the original building heating system."
Regular cleaning and maintenance are key. Cheng Shuangbin said: "Underfloor heating should be cleaned once before each heating season. Because the water quality used in underfloor heating is relatively dirty, dirt tends to accumulate on the inner walls of the pipes. It is best to find a professional underfloor heating cleaning company to clean it, and a pressure test should also be conducted after cleaning."
**Floor Installation Does Not Have a Direct Impact**
Some homeowners always worry, "If I lay a thick layer of flooring or tiles on the ground, will it affect the heat dissipation of the floor radiant heating, making my home less warm?" Dai Zehao, Vice President of Shengxiang Flooring, introduced: "This is actually a misconception. Whether laying tiles or wooden floors, it will not significantly impact the heating of the underfloor system. The difference lies in the material; ceramic tiles heat up and cool down faster, making the sensation more noticeable, while wooden floors take longer to warm up. The thickness of the floor only affects the speed of heating and will not directly cause a temperature difference compared to others' homes."
Dai Zehao recommends: "Homeowners who use underfloor heating should wait until the ground is completely dry after underfloor heating construction is finished before installing the floor. The flatness of the ground may change after underfloor heating construction is completed, so it is best to do another leveling process before installation. Nails must not be used on the ground when installing the floor."
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