Couple In Floor Heat Questions

[Black_Z28]

Good evening. My wife and I recently moved into a new place with a second garage. It has an in-floor radiant heat system in it. I've never had a system like this in my garage, just a regular gas style, which is what's in the main attached garage.

Anyways, since it's getting to that time of year, I decided I might as well try the in-floor heating system out, and make sure it all works properly, instead of 2 months from now, when I really want it. I flipped the main breaker at the panel, then there's also another breaker on the in-floor heat boiler system. There's also a switch for the pump. Everything seemed to activate as it should, I turned the breakers on for the heating system, I could watch the temp gauge rise, so that's a plus, I would consider that one of the most important things in a heating system. Then I flipped the switch for the pump, it worked properly. But I could hear some noise in the system, where there were elbows in the copper pipe before it went to the pex tubing under ground I could hear what I would think is air. I could also see there may have been some leaking maybe a high pressure valve, so maybe it's low on water?? If so, how do you add water, also does it use just regular water, or some sort of anti-freeze?

Also, I would like to add, it's not a gurgling sound, it's a running water sound.

I've added a couple pictures of my setup to hopefully explain myself a little better.

Thanks

 

[yeldogt]

Maybe a few more pictures -- does the garage have water service to it -- and does this service go to the boiler? I see what looks like a cu pipe off to the side.

That thing leaking is the air separator -- they do drip when trying to get air out .. depending on how old and how much .. it could leave that much staining.

Once all the air is out -- it should stop as there should be no way for any water to leak out or air to get in ..... it could be faulty and leaking. If the system has a water line -- it's easy. You turn everything off -- and check the pressure/ temp valve (the thing with the leaver on the left) Drain some water and that will also drop all the pressure (if any) in the system. look at the gauge. Once the pressure is off -- test the pressure on the bottom of the gray tank. I think that model should be 15psi ... go online and punch in the model. Once you have this correct -- fill the system with water until the gauge is around 12 on the boiler.

Run the system -- as it heats up the PSI may rise -- Your should also start to see or hear the separator remove all the excess air/ O2 from the water. If the separator valve continues to leak you will have to replace.

 

[Kaizen]

Like he says replace the air separator. It unscrews. However shut off the lines if you can or you will have to fill the system. Is there a manifold down line from this? Strange if it’s just one loop. How old is the house?


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[Black_Z28]

Thanks for your help guys.

Yes, there is a manifold down the line where it feeds into the ground. There's two manifolds, with three of the plastic runs one each manifold. Each end has a drain, or a regular faucet you'd see on the outside of the house.

Unfortunately, there is no water to the garage. But, my house is only 15' away and there's a faucet only 20' from where the manifolds are.

House was built in 2001. But, I believe the garage was built at a later date. The ladder going into the attic of the garage says a build date of 2004 I believe.

I'll do a search on the model number and find a new air separator.

 

[Black_Z28]

Here's a couple pictures of the manifolds.

What's the best method to adding water to the system?

Thanks again guys.

 

[TurnipTruck]

It looks like the previous owner left a garden hose gender changer on the spigot without a handle in your last pic. I would run a hose from your house to that adapter and fill the system, purging air from all high spots. Then, once it’s pressured up (LESS THAN 30 PSI!!), you will have a better idea of where that previous owner did a **** job of soldering and you can cure all the leaks. Boiler OFF while filling.

 

[Jackfre]

Which direction is the circulator running. If towards the air separator then the expansion tank is located correctly. If the circ is going toward the boiler then the tank is in the wrong position and can create air issues. The text on that is "Pumping Away" by Dan Holohan. TT is correct in that you can fill the system at the hose bib. Your pressure relief valve has a 30# setting and will go off if you get up around there. Try the system at 18 psi operating pressure and see how it does.

 

[Kaizen]

Think I would just check the direction and if good run that pump by itself for a few days. After replacing that air scoop that is. Then put some pressure in it. I usually always hear some air tinging in my radiant loop. It comes and goes


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[Black_Z28]

Sounds good guys. I'll check the direction tonight. I do not recall which was it was flowing. Should be pretty easy to tell once turn the heat on.

I'll replace the air separator, and see how it goes. I guess I wasn't thinking about the expansion of the water once it's heated up. I'm sure the temp of the water is in the 50s right now, and I'm sure it heats the water up to above 100, so that could change how much water I really need.

Hopefully the air separator has a part number....or are they pretty universal for radiant in floor heat systems?

Thanks again.

 

[Kaizen]

Sounds good guys. I'll check the direction tonight. I do not recall which was it was flowing. Should be pretty easy to tell once turn the heat on.



I'll replace the air separator, and see how it goes. I guess I wasn't thinking about the expansion of the water once it's heated up. I'm sure the temp of the water is in the 50s right now, and I'm sure it heats the water up to above 100, so that could change how much water I really need.



Hopefully the air separator has a part number....or are they pretty universal for radiant in floor heat systems?



Thanks again.

Same part for boilers too. Hd has them on the shelf. Make sure you get tape for the threads.


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[kj_mustang]

I would suspect that Grundfos pump is flowing right to left. Should be an flow direction arrow on the case on the bottom.

 

[TurnipTruck]

. I guess I wasn't thinking about the expansion of the water once it's heated up. I'm sure the temp of the water is in the 50s right now, and I'm sure it heats the water up to above 100, so that could change how much water I really need.
.

The grey cylinder to the left of the boiler is the expansion tank. Make sure it has 15 or 20 psi in it while the water is depressured.