Radiant heating - I have concern on this photo

Tony Shupenko

I do alot of home and building inspections, though rarely come across radiant heating systems. However, saw this today. The piping is in a closet off the kitchen. It just does not sit well with me the way the piping is arranged and exposed. Am I off my hinges?

Regards,
Tony Shupenko

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Ted_9

first glance

I dont see anything wrong

Are you troubled by the last loop? It just looks like an extra loop.

EDIT: bills right, there should have been sleeves.

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Bill Nye_2

Tony

I doesn't look all that bad. It could however be better. The pipes should have been sleeved where they penetrate the concrete.

The wild pipe on the end ? well it could be blanked off at the manifold and it would look neater or it could be shortened.

But it will probably work.

Uni R_2

Easier

Would it make it easier to accept if we all called it a mechanical room and they could use it for storage as well? ;-)

Tony Shupenko

Assembly location

This manifold is in a closet that is under one of the 2nd floor stairs. I guess my concerns were the sleeving issue previously brought up as well as the potential for damage, since we all know that closets (especially in kitchens) get jammed packed filled with all kinds of stuff.

Thanks for the speedy replies.

Regards,
Tony

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Timco

I would definitely recommend a box for it or some form of protection. As we all know, it does not take much to puncture a pex line...and then...the next great lake! And we all have thrown things into our closets....

Tim

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Uni R_2

Sleeving

I think the sleeving issue was more for just how it comes out of the concrete than protected it above that. If I'm wrong we'll certainly here quickly about it.

And my mechanical room post was not serious in case you thought I was. It looked fine to me although a simple grated metal guard that you could see through would be better, so that things don't go bump and that you can see the manifold fairly easily.

ScottMP

How about

the feeds ... is that 1/2" ? That may be a little to small to provide enough for the loops. Any idea how much area this is supporting ?

Scott

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George Peteya_4

That short loop ...

...had better stay closed. As Dan says, be the water. If anyone opens the valve on the short loop, just about all the flow will be through that one, and you'll get a no heat call.

Is there any way to lock the valves on that manifold?

Leo G_99

Tony

Yes the pex should be sleeved transitioning from the concrete to out of the concrete. Where I am, that would have been a rejection by the inspector. Also, there should be some type of nice box placed around the manifold. The loop that goes from supply to return could be for a constant circ system, or a pump exercise system. It should have been installed neater, and yes you can throttle the flow with the Watts headers.

One question, why the electrical outlet in the closet, especially so close to a water bearing mechanism?

Leo G

ScottMP

George

I have to disagree, we do that all the time with no problems. We use it as a bypass to stop the pump from being dead headed while waiting for the slow opening telestats to open.

Not one complaint about no heat.

Scott

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Unknown

They may be using that loop as a bypass, with the balancing valve for friction, perhaps?

Tony Shupenko

Very large kitchen

The kitchen is very large - probably on the order of 600 sq.ft.

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Tony Shupenko

Who knows?

Like many homes that I come across, I sometimes scratch my head and ask "How Come?" (Dan, sorry for stealing a book title). There are often no answers, as is the case here.

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George Peteya_4

Oops ...

... I think I get it ... the loop isn't wild, you've balanced it.

jp_2

1/2 \" Cu go?

I wonder where do those 1/2 copper lines go to? were they sleeved into the concrete? are they going to "steal" all the heat, or too much of the heat?

Tony Shupenko

1/2\"

The pipes are to and from the boiler room.

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jp_2

thats too funny!!!!

so a 1/2" supply is going to feed four 1/2" runs?

or a 1/2 pipe is feeding a 1" pipe, thats pretty good!