Any home improvement/help forums?

[aceO07]

I'm looking for a forum for home owners. I would like to diagnose and fix my problems by myself if possible, without hiring a contractor.

I'm having problems with my radiant floor heating system or at least that's what I think it's called. The radiators are only warm/hot near the bottom. The heating system is controlled by a digital thermostat and set to 80f, however the max temperature it's reached for the last couple of days is 65f. :disgust: The radiators each have a knob w/ off/on, but they don't seem to help or seem to do much of anything for that matter.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[FoBoT]

i have used DoItYourself.com before, for info on a problem with my washing machine

forum link

 

[HappyPuppy]

Thank God. At least you had the good sense to not ask anyone here what the problem is.

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: aceO07
I'm looking for a forum for home owners. I would like to diagnose and fix my problems by myself if possible, without hiring a contractor.

I'm having problems with my radiant floor heating system or at least that's what I think it's called. The radiators are only warm/hot near the bottom. The heating system is controlled by a digital thermostat and set to 80f, however the max temperature it's reached for the last couple of days is 65f. :disgust: The radiators each have a knob w/ off/on, but they don't seem to help or seem to do much of anything for that matter.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank God. At least you had the good sense to not ask anyone here what the problem is.

It sounds like he is asking people here for help about the problem too... why else would he post his problem and not just ask a question?

Spac3d

 

[Confused]

If your radiators are only warm/hot near the bottom, you probably have air in the system. You should be able to drain the radiators, to get the air out of them.


Confused

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: Confused
You should be able to drain the radiators, to get the air out of them.


Confused

do you drain out the air or the fluid?

do those type systems have vents? to let the air out the top? or how does that work? expansion tanks?

i never had radiators, well, actually the first apartment i lived in after getting married had radiators, but the system was on the landlords side of the house, so i didn't mess with it

 

[Confused]

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: Confused
You should be able to drain the radiators, to get the air out of them.


Confused

do you drain out the air or the fluid?

do those type systems have vents? to let the air out the top? or how does that work? expansion tanks?

i never had radiators, well, actually the first apartment i lived in after getting married had radiators, but the system was on the landlords side of the house, so i didn't mess with it

There are normally little taps on the top of the radiator, you'll open them, and let the air out, make sure you stop when the water starts coming out tho Any air in the radiator will stop it from heating up (air=insulator)


Confused

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
i have used DoItYourself.com before, for info on a problem with my washing machine

forum link

Thanks. I actually found this site after quite a few google searches later that night (1/23/03). Found a simple solution to my problem. Thank goodness I waited before submitting a request for a contractor estimate.

Thanks everybody else for suggestions. It was indeed the excess air in the radiator. I went to Home Depot yesterday and got a radiator key for the air bleed valve for $0.98. Much cheaper than hiring someone to come look at it.

Yes, the excess air in the radiator prevents the hot water from filling up the radiator fully. As a result, less hot water = less heat. More hot water = more heat.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: aceO07
$0.98. Much cheaper than hiring someone to come look at it.

$0.98


can't beat that with a stick