FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. How to choose the best company for installing underfloor heating?
The main criterion is the presence of an engineering approach. Choose companies that conduct a thermal engineering calculation of building heat losses, have clear price lists, and openly demonstrate their portfolio. A reliable contractor always insists on proper thermal insulation and conducts mandatory pressure testing of the system under pressure before pouring the screed.
2. What to pay attention to before ordering work?
Make sure that the contractor plans to use a damper tape around the perimeter of the rooms and expansion joints in the doorways. Pay attention to the proposed insulation thickness (at least 30 mm for ceilings and 50-100 mm on the ground). Also, check whether a balancing manifold with flow meters, which is mandatory for multi-circuit systems, is included in the estimate.
3. Should you trust reviews on Google and marketplaces?
Reviews are an important but not the only indicator of quality. Pay attention to meaningful comments where clients describe specific details of cooperation (adherence to deadlines, reaction to warranty cases, cleanliness on the site). Avoid companies that have many identical, short enthusiastic reviews without any specifics.
4. How to check a company’s reputation in the field of engineering communications?
The best way is to study photographs of completed objects. Professional installers do not hide their work process. If you see evenly laid pipes without kinks, clean and neatly assembled mixing units in manifold cabinets, this indicates a high culture of production. The readiness to conclude an official contract outlining warranty obligations is also important.
5. What are the signs of a reliable underfloor heating system?
A reliable system is characterized by uniform surface heating without cold zones (pipe pitch 15-20 cm), the absence of noise and vibrations in the pipes or manifold, as well as the ability to maintain the heat carrier temperature at a low level (35-45 °C). In addition, a reliable system is always controlled by room thermostats, which prevent overheating of the air and screed.
6. Why is it important to use room thermostats?
Automation allows maintaining precise temperatures in each individual room. This not only guarantees comfort but also reduces overall heating costs by up to 30%, as the system does not heat the room beyond the set norm and can lower the temperature at night or in the absence of owners.
7. Do I need to compare several companies before ordering?
Yes, be sure to request estimates from at least three different companies. Compare not only the final amount but also the list of included materials and services. Some contractors may offer a low price by excluding thermal insulation, automation from calculations, or by using cheap uncertified pipes without an oxygen barrier.
8. What mistakes do clients most often make when trying to save money?
The most expensive mistakes made by clients are refusing high-quality floor thermal insulation (to preserve ceiling height), using overly long pipe circuits to reduce the number of outlets on the manifold, and trying to turn on the system heating before the cement screed has completely dried (less than 28 days after pouring). This always leads to cracking of the floor and a critical loss of efficiency.