Introduction

Water treatment in

RADIANT PANEL HEATING SYSTEMS

nisms is 40°C. These organisms - mainly represen-

ted by fungi in the form of a viscous sludgy mass -

are often resistant to low chlorine concentrations. It

was observed that these proliferations mainly occur

in old systems.

Interventions

When the floor heating system is obstructed, the

best solution is to remove the obstruction. To do

so, disconnect the pipe involved from the manifold

and apply a pressure generally not exceeding 3

Bars, which is the limit tolerated by non-metallic

pipes. Sometimes this limit proves insufficient to

remove the obstruction. If pressure application has

not produced any positive effects on the systems

obstructed by oxide deposits and sludge, ANTINEx

disaggregating agent for oxides, grease and sludge

shall be used. This operation will prove more effecti-

ve if the special pump DISIFLUx is used.

Prevention

Compatibility tests have shown that FACOT products

are compatible with all most commonly used types of

plastic materials for the pipe manufacturing. We the-

refore advise that you treat floor systems in the same

way as “traditional” ones. The operation consists in

thoroughly washing the system at a high water recir-

culation flow rate; protect the system against corro-

sion (oxide deposits) treating it with FILMAx or, where

protection against frost is required, with FILMAx &

ANTIFREEZE. Moreover, if FILMAx is not present, a

suitable dose of THERMAKIL

®

should be added in the

system to prevent microbiological growth.

Radiant floor thermography with evident Biofouling (algae)

Modern floor systems are carried out using flexible

pipes positioned in the screed. Due to their fixed

structure which generally makes them not accessi-

ble, it is essential to preserve these pipes against

problems created by water which may restrict circu-

lation or even cause obstructions.

Types of systems

The market offers a wide range of heat distribu-

tion pipes; the most commonly used transmission

method is represented by reticulated polyethyle-

ne or polybutylene tubes. Non-metallic tubes are

usually provided with a barrier limiting oxygen pro-

pagation in the pipes which is not however always

effective.

Problems

One of the problems affecting floor heating systems

is obstruction. In fact, independently of the type of

system, water is in contact with metal and, regar-

dless its oxygen content, a certain degree of cor-

rosion is unavoidable. The presence of some cold

points in the system is very often ascribable to an

accumulation of metal oxides. On the basis of our

personal experience, organic substances often wor-

sen the problem consequently becoming the main

cause of the obstruction. The ideal temperature for

the growth and proliferation of microbiological orga-

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