Underfloor Heating Brentwood

Installation, Service & Repair

Brentwood & Surrounding areas

Call – 01277 800075

Underfloor Heating offers many advantages over conventional Heating in both comfort, functionality and energy efficiency.

Our Gas Safe Registered engineers have been installing Underfloor Heating to a high standard in homes in the Brentwood area for many years.

We install both wet and electric Underfloor Heating.

Underfloor Heating can be installed in any property of any age, not just new build homes and extensions. Both wet and electric underfloor Heating will work with almost any style of home.

To get the most out of an Underfloor Heating system, it should be designed installed by a professional with real-world experience in such systems.

TM Hughes heating engineers have a wealth of knowledge, are experts in this field and will design and fit the perfect Underfloor Heating system for your home.

Underfloor Heating Installation Procedure

How an Underfloor Heating system’s installed will depend on the type of system you have and your floor.

A wet system can be installed above or below floorboards, for example. If you have a solid concrete floor, the system can be installed in solid floor panels or set into a screed, as in the example below.

First, the manifold needs fitting to your existing (or new) central heating system. The manifold works in conjunction with your Boiler and circulates hot water via a built-in circulation pump through the pipes that run under the floor
The manifold houses several thermostatic valves, which are determined by the size of your system and the number of rooms you intend to heat
The manifold and pipes are fitted out of sight in a discreet area such as a built-in kitchen cupboard
Old flooring and debris are taken away. Our goal is to ensure a flat surface for the pipes, damp proof membranes added if the floor’s concrete
Next, the floors insulated with individual insulation panels specially designed for Underfloor Heating systems. Once laid, all joints are taped to keep the floor heat tight and to prevent any screed from leaking through
Polythene sheets laid on top of the insulation panels
Pipe fixings are added at intervals to hold the pipe in place. The pipe will ‘snake’ the whole area guaranteeing even heat distribution throughout the room
The pipe’s connected to the manifold
The pipe’s connected to the floor, clipped into the previously laid pipe fittings
The pipes pressure tested, the pipe, manifold and joints are thoroughly inspected for leaks
Once we’re satisfied with the systems, 100% correct, the screed can be laid and left to cure
Once the screed has set, flooring can be fitted, and you’re free to enjoy your new Underfloor Heating system

Once Underfloor Heating’s Installed, You’ll Enjoy Many Benefits

Heat’s evenly distributed over the entire area. Rising heat eliminates drafts and heats the whole room evenly.
A warm floor underfoot is an absolute joy, especially in the colder months
The heat’s delivered via wet pipes or electric coils which are out of sight and out of harms way under the floor
Underfloor Heating systems are virtually maintenance free giving you many years of service without issue
The ultimate in energy efficiency less energy and heat’s required to warm a room, radiators have to work harder to heat the same area
Less consumed energy means lower heating bills. Over a period, the system will pay for itself
Lowers your carbon footprint, which helps the environment
The elimination of radiators free up space, making rooms larger
Adds value to your property
Attractive to potential buyers/renters making your property easier to sell or rent

Wet Underfloor Heating

Wet Underfloor Heating’s also referred to as ‘Water Underfloor Heating’ and ‘Hydronic Underfloor Heating’ the system works by circulating hot water through pipes running under the floor.

A manifold with a built-in pump and thermostats connected to your existing central heating system (or built into a new heating system).

Underfloor Heating pipes are connected to the manifold, which draws hot water from the Boiler.

Thermostats control the temperature and can be set up on a room by room basis if required.

Underfloor Heating pipes are set into a screed, laid on top of concrete/existing flooring or run between joists in suspended floors. The best solution will depend on your property.

Pipes sit on top of Celotex insulation which prevents heat from escaping downwards. The pipes held in place by clips, and once the systems fitted and tested, screed can be poured on top.

When dealing with suspended floors, insulation sits between joists and screeds poured into the gaps. Adequately insulating the floor without increasing floor height an absolute necessity with some properties. Thorough insulation is a primary feature of Underfloor Heating systems.

Purpose cut insulation boards (for laying over the existing floor) and aluminium spreader plates (for fitting between joints) are available as an alternative to Celotex. All feature pre-cut grooves for the pipes to run through.

Wet Underfloor Heating is compatible with all flooring types (carpet, wood, tile, etc.). The flooring type needs to be taken into consideration before fitting the pipes.

If you intend to install laminate flooring, we’ll likely suggest floating floor panels to house the pipe.

Those laying tiles are offered solid floor panels that are compatible with tiling adhesives.

Wet Underfloor Heating’s incredibly energy efficient and cheaper to run than electric underfloor Heating and conventional gas central heating systems.

Electric Underfloor Heating

Electric Underfloor Heating is faster and less expensive to install than wet installations. Electric systems are, however, less energy-efficient and cost more to run. Consider this when deciding between a wet and electric system.

You’ll pay more for a wet installation, but you’ll save money in the long run in saved energy.

Electric systems utilise a cable that runs under the floor. When installing Electric Underfloor Heating in large areas, special mats are used with the electric cable built-in. The mats are rolled over the area connected then wired into the electrical system.

The mats can then be screeded, or flooring can be placed directly over the top. There’s are mats available for each situation and flooring type. When laying carpet or vinyl tiles, thinner foil mats are used.

For smaller areas, loose Underfloor Heating cable’s laid and shaped appropriately.

Underfloor Heating Repairs

Once installed, an Underfloor Heating system will give you years of service. Wet system pipes are believed to last up to a century. The above-ground parts will need some attention eventually.

Underfloor Heating pumps will last up to 15 years. They’ll either fail or slow down to the point where waters no longer circulating correctly. If you notice cold areas of a heated floor, then your pump could be nearing the end of its life.

Pump replacement is a straightforward job that will restore your system to full working order. Old manifolds can also be replaced and connected to the original pipes.

Problems that occur under the floor are detected instantly with a thermal imaging camera. We can establish issues such as airlocks and leaks. Our engineers can remove airlocks quickly.

Underfloor leaks are more troublesome to rectify, but thankfully they’re a rare occurrence. We find most Underfloor Heating issues are simple to rectify and affordable to all homeowners and landlords.

If you have an Underfloor Heating emergency, we can get an engineer out to you within a couple of hours.

Does Underfloor Heating Require Servicing?

Ideally, Underfloor Heating needs checking once a year. It’s good practice for your engineer to undertake checks when you have your Boiler Serviced.

Checks allow any faults to be rectified that could be hampering your system.

The pumps checked to ensure it’s set at the right speed and operating at full power. Underperforming pumps are reset, repaired or replaced if necessary.

The pipes are checked for leaks where they connect to the manifold. Connections can become loose over time and allow slight leaks, which are rectified by tightening the joints.

Washers and seals are checked for wear, corrosion and leaking and replaced where necessary.

The systems switched on, and the floors scanned with a thermal imaging camera to ensure the whole floors heating.

Keeping Underfloor Pipes Clear

Central heating systems can become backed up over time with sludge and debris, rust and limescale particles that have come away and collected in the system. This includes underfloor pipes.

If your system becomes blocked or is underperforming because of a sludge build-up Power Flushing is an option. By pumping chemicals through your system with a Power Flush machine, we can clear all the sludge, limescale, and debris, remove all blockages, and restore full heat output.