How to Troubleshoot and Repair Heating Systems
As a first-class floor heating distributor, we only carry the most durable, well-designed electric floor heating systems available.
Occasionally, heating elements are accidentally cut with tile saws or blades for clearing grout, crushed with heavy buckets of cement, or drilled through while installing drains.
If this happens to you, don’t worry! Easy-to-use repair kits are available for each heating system, and most systems can be repaired even if they have already been tiled over. We have created this article to help guide you in troubleshooting and finding the right solution should you have a problem with your system.
TROUBLESHOOTING AND REPAIRING HEATING ELEMENTS
- Step 1: Check the resistance on the heating elements using a Digital Multimeter (Ohm meter).
- This is the only 100% sure way to tell if the heating elements have been damaged. Each mat and cable will come with a UL tag on the power leads that will show what the resistance should be.
- If the resistance reading is correct, then you know that the heating elements are 100% functional. In this case, double-check that the correct power (120v or 240v) is being supplied to the system. If the correct power is supplied and the system still is not working, the thermostat may be the problem. If this is the case, see the thermostat troubleshooting section at the end of this article.
- If the resistance reading is incorrect and the flooring has NOT been installed, skip to step 3.
- Step 2: If the floor has already been installed, you will need to find the location of the break in the heating element.
- To do this, call us at 1-866-558-3369 to get in contact with a technician for your specific product.
- NOTE: If the break is inside a shower floor, it cannot be repaired since the waterproof coating has been compromised. The built-in GFCI on the thermostat will trip and not allow a repaired heating element to run in a shower or wet area.
- Step 3: Once you have located the break in the system, you need to purchase the appropriate repair kit depending on the product you are using and the location of the break.
- If the heating element is damaged, purchase a repair kit:
FLOOR HEATING THERMOSTAT LIFESPAN AND WARRANTY
If a heating system is not working and the resistance on the heating elements is within normal ranges (based on the UL tag attached to the element), then there may be a problem with the thermostat.
Floor heating thermostats are far more sophisticated than HVAC thermostats like those you use to operate air conditioners and forced-air heaters. Since they are designed to handle high-voltage power coming directly from the breaker panel, floor heating thermostats have more mechanical parts than HVAC thermostats, and their high-grade GFCI protections are built in. Because of this, they have a lower lifespan than HVAC thermostats and will need to be replaced eventually.
While it is not unheard of for thermostats to need to be replaced after 4 or 5 years, we have also had thermostats last as long as 12 to 14 years. A proper installation (e.g., inside of a deep electrical box and out in the open rather than inside a cupboard or closet) can help ensure your thermostat will last as long as possible, so make sure to thoroughly read the installation instructions that come with your unit before you install.
All of the thermostats we carry come with a 3-year manufacturer warranty. If you are having any trouble with a thermostat that has been installed less than three years, give us a call at 1-866-558-3369 and we can put you in contact with a technician for your product who can troubleshoot the unit with you and replace it if necessary.