Unheated radiant floor thru the winter

Ken Sappio

I have winterized hot water heating systems that would be idle for the winter by mixing in RV (campers & motor homes) antifreeze, it is non toxic

Dave Miller_2

Can you leave a radiant floor unheated thru the winter

We are a non-profit historical society expanding our museum and have a about 1300 sqft floor in the new building that will be properly insulated with foam over crushed stone and "tubed" and poured. The question is, do we have to worry about maintaining some heat in the floor over this next winter, while we are raising the funds to complete the interior of the building, or can we leave it un-heated in Central NY, near Syracuse.

What is the collective wisdom?

Thank you,

Dave Miller

Al Letellier_21

unheated radiant floor

As long as you don't put the water to it, you should be OK. IF it "gets wet" I would suggest either blowing it out with air or adding some antifreeze, but most important, leave the ends open to allow for any expansion if water is in the tubes

Mark Custis

When

I do a pour, I do air at 70 psig. If the concrete guys make a leak they know. I am on site at a pour. I fix it, never has happened.

I do this you need the manifolds inplace and the system sealed.

We went by you last week.

Unknown

Great idea! Having the piping pressurized during a pour really makes a lot of sense. It would be readily apparent if the piping was damaged and give you the opportunity to fix it plus I imagine the cement guys, knowing they are working over a pressurized line, would tend to be more careful.