ᐅ Underfloor heating: Should it be tested before installing new hardwood flooring?

Hello

We have purchased an apartment (built in 2005) with underfloor heating (gas). The old parquet flooring will be removed and new flooring installed. Of course, we were not able to test the underfloor heating. Does it make sense to have some kind of inspection or test of the underfloor heating? Or is it not really possible to test it? I just mean, if something is faulty, it would be better to know before the new floor is installed rather than afterwards.

Thank you.

bruno1990 schrieb:

Of course, we couldn’t test the underfloor heating.

Really? When did you visit? Some of the heating systems are still running now.

bruno1990 schrieb:

to install/have installed underfloor heating? Or is that not something you can test at all?

There are two aspects. First, the heating system itself. You can turn it on and see if it works, or check when the chimney sweep last inspected it or when the last maintenance was done.
Then there is the underfloor heating. It consists of pipes laid out continuously, starting and ending at the manifold. Testing it is straightforward. Either the pipes are sealed or they aren’t – it’s a binary outcome. If the floor is currently dry while there is water in the underfloor heating circuits, then the pipes are sealed. Test passed.
Whether the heating is properly calibrated is a different matter.

So don’t worry.

Thank you very much for the helpful response!

nordanney schrieb:

No? When did you visit? Some of the heating systems are still running right now.

There are two issues. First, the heating system. You can turn it on and check if it’s working, or look up when the chimney sweep last visited or when the system was last serviced.
Then there's the underfloor heating. These are endlessly laid pipes that start and end at the manifold. “Testing” it is simple. The pipes are either sealed or not – it’s a digital yes or no. If the floor is currently dry while there is water in the underfloor heating, the pipes are sealed. Test passed.
Whether the heating is properly adjusted is another matter.

So don’t worry.

What about potential weak points that could cause leaks in the future after installation? Is there any way to test for that beforehand?

partyoleole schrieb:

What about possible weak points that could lead to leaks after installation? Is there any way to test for this beforehand?

The underfloor heating system is tested during installation. Otherwise, you have a daily test — if the floor gets wet, it means there is a leak.
At most, you can have the heating system pressure-tested again. Apart from that, there are absolutely no further testing options.

However, there is no reason to pursue additional testing. If you start to question a relatively new installation, you would also have to check every water pipe, sewage pipe, and electrical cable inside the walls, which would mean tearing everything out.

Normally, the underfloor heating pipes are tested after the pipes have been installed and before the screed is laid. There is usually a test report from the heating installer – you might still find this in a file folder (if you received one when purchasing).

If you really want to, you can repeat the test. You need to connect a pressure pump to the heating circuit manifold, close the supply and return lines to the heating system, then apply the appropriate test pressure and maintain it, for example, for 24 hours while recording any pressure drop. After that, the system must be properly refilled and vented.