radiant floor - 1989 house

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allelopath

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• Jun 8, 2006

• #1

We are thinking of purchasing a house, built in 1989, that has radiant floor heating. I know of the infamous Entran II debacle, so when touring the house, I looked at the manifold. However, I could see no tubes, only copper.

What can I do to determine the type of tubing in the house?

 

Last edited: Jun 8, 2006

Jadnashua

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• Jun 8, 2006

• #2

Copper in concrete can be a problem...are the floors wood or concrete?

 

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Finnegan

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• Jun 8, 2006

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I would be surprised to find a copper radiant system installed in 1989, but I guess it is possible. I agree about staying away from a copper in concrete radiant system. It is also possible that you are looking at one manifold that leads to other manifolds that lead to pex going into the floors. In my house I have a radiant manifold in the basement with copper going from it to two other manifolds that contain the pex terminations.

 

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allelopath

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• Jun 8, 2006

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Was pex being used in 1989? (I didn't think it was around then)

What is the problem with copper in concrete?

The flooring is saltillo tile and I would guess that concrete is underneath that.
There is only one level to the house.

If i were to lift up one of the tiles, would I be able to see the pex or copper tubing, or is there a layer of something else in between?

 

Jadnashua

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• Jun 8, 2006

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The alkali in concrete can eat holes in copper. If you put a shroud around it, it can go through, like for a supply line, but would be a pain for heat (plus it would insulate it making the response and effectiveness much less). PEX has been around for a long time (mainly in Europe), not sure if it was in use in the USA back then. My guess (maybe somebody will chime in that knows) is that it would have been rare back then, plus the improvements for O2barriers and other things had not occured.

 

Master Plumber Mark

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• Jun 8, 2006

• #6

copper in floors

I doubt you are going to find Pex in concrete floots in a 1989 house.

I have seen many radiant floors where copper was used. Many of them are

fairley old too.


basically they work fine till tehy finally spring a hole. someday.

 

Cass

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• Jun 9, 2006

• #7

Copper into concrete sounds like you were looking at the plumbing system.

 

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allelopath

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• Jun 9, 2006

• #8

from http://members.aol.com/CrushStone/cor_aclz.htm

Copper (Cu)
Copper embedded in concrete and/or mortar is usually roof flashing. Embedded copper is practically immune to reaction with corrosive alkalies, even if exposed to constant moisture. Copper will not react with dry, hardened concrete and/or mortar. Rainwater leaching, however, may bring chlorides in contact with the metal. Corrosion may occur and result in a green discoloration or runoff. Consequently, chloride admixtures should not be used in concrete if contact with copper is expected.