Professional radiant floor heat repair throughout Muskoka. Expert diagnosis and troubleshooting when your in-floor heating isn't working. We service all types of radiant heat systems - hydronic and electric.
📞 Call for ServiceSymptoms and likely causes
Complete system failure - floor stays cold.
System runs but doesn't provide enough warmth.
Uneven heating between rooms.
Takes hours to warm floor adequately.
Moisture appearing on floor or walls.
Tubing leaks under floors are serious. Requires leak detection and floor removal for repair.
Gurgling, flowing water sounds, or pump noise.
Understand exactly what's happening: No heat? Some zones work? Slow heating? Leaks? When did it start? Any recent changes? This guides our diagnosis approach.
Test thermostats, verify they're calling for heat, check programming, test temperature sensors. Many "system failures" are actually thermostat issues.
Verify boiler is firing, check water temperature, inspect for error codes, test safety controls, ensure proper operation. Boiler problems are common culprits.
Check circulator pump operation, verify zone valves open/close, inspect manifold for flow, check for air in system, verify proper pressure.
Test power supply, check breakers, test continuity of heating elements, verify thermostat wiring, inspect GFCI connections.
For zone-specific problems, isolate that zone and test thoroughly. Check tubing continuity (hydronic) or resistance (electric), verify proper connections, test individual components.
Identify root cause, explain findings clearly, provide repair options with costs, recommend best solution. Some repairs are simple, others complex.
Most common problem. Air pockets prevent proper circulation and heat transfer. Floors stay cold even though boiler is running.
Fix: Purge air from all loops at manifold. Use air bleeder valves. May need to run system and purge multiple times. Simple fix, dramatic improvement.
Pump that moves water through tubing has failed. Boiler heats water but it doesn't circulate to floors.
Fix: Replace circulator pump. Usually same-day repair. Pumps cost $150-400 depending on size.
Motorized valves at manifold stuck open or closed. Affects specific zones while others work fine.
Fix: Test valve operation, may need cleaning or replacement. $100-250 per valve typically.
Mixing valve not regulating temperature properly. Water too hot or too cold going to floors.
Fix: Adjust, clean, or replace mixing valve. Verify temperature sensor. $200-500 repair typically.
Boiler not firing, not maintaining temperature, or showing error codes. Affects entire system.
Fix: Boiler service or repair. May need gas valve, igniter, controls, or other boiler-specific repairs.
System losing pressure over time. Indicates slow leak somewhere in system.
Fix: Locate leak source. Could be manifold, connections, boiler, or (rarely) tubing under floor. Fix leak, refill and purge system.
Thermostat not sensing temperature correctly or not communicating with controls.
Fix: Recalibrate, reprogram, or replace thermostat. Test sensor. Verify wiring. Usually straightforward repair.
Waterlogged expansion tank causing pressure issues and frequent water adding needed.
Fix: Replace expansion tank. Check pressure relief valve. Set proper system pressure. $150-300 typical.
Most serious electric radiant problem. Heating cable/mat damaged during installation or by later work (drilling, nails, etc.).
Diagnosis & Repair:
This is why we map electric radiant installations - knowing exactly where heating elements are prevents future damage.
Ground fault circuit interrupter keeps tripping, shutting off system.
Common causes: Moisture in connections, damaged cable insulation, faulty GFCI breaker, or actual ground fault. Requires electrical testing to isolate cause.
Thermostat not controlling heat properly - room too hot, too cold, or won't respond.
Solutions: Recalibrate sensor, check location (sensor must be in actual floor temp, not air gap), verify wiring, replace if defective. $150-300 for new programmable thermostat.
Electrical issues preventing system from receiving power or operating properly.
Check: Circuit breaker, GFCI, voltage at thermostat and heating mat, all wiring connections. Electrical issues often simple to fix.
Leaks in tubing under floors are rare but serious. PEX tubing is very durable, but damage can occur from:
Isolate zones and pressure test each loop individually to identify which has the leak.
Run hot water through system and use infrared camera to see temperature patterns. Leaks show as cooler spots.
Use moisture meters to pinpoint leak location under floor finish.
Remove minimum floor area necessary to access leak. Repair tubing with proper fittings. Pressure test repair. Restore floor.
Good news: With proper leak detection, we usually need to remove only a small floor section (2-3 sq ft) rather than entire floor. Saves time and restoration costs.
💡 Annual Service Packages:
We offer annual radiant heat system maintenance. We'll inspect, clean, purge, and test your system each year before heating season. Catch small problems before they become expensive repairs or leave you without heat!
Find answers to common questions about our plumbing services
🚨 No heat emergency? Call: (705) 345-5321
Professional radiant heat troubleshooting and repair throughout Muskoka. We diagnose and fix all radiant heat systems.