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How would you seal this gap under central boiler hydronic baseboard heaters that only get warm, not hot. (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/homeimprovement

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[–] darkmarx 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You need the gap. Baseboard heaters work by heating the air around it, causing it to rise. This rising air is replaced by the cool air being displaced. By having a gap under the heater, the cool air has a place to go and be heated. This causes a draft that allows the full room to be heated, not just the area around the baseboards. In essence, the gap allows the heater to be more efficient.

If you insist on covering it, use a sheet of decorative metal that is at least partially open to allow airflow through it. Even that will reduce efficiency, but it wont be as bad as blocking it.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I am referring to the small 90° gap between the flooring and the metal where you can see bits of exposed concrete. Are you saying that gap shouldn't be sealed?

[–] darkmarx 10 points 1 year ago

My misunderstanding. I thought you meant from the heater to the floor.

To fix the gap you were talking about, you could do some acrylic caulking. You could do high heat silicone if you were worried about the heat, but the acrylic should be fine. Check the tube for the allowed heat range. The silicone will do vetter against the expansion and contraction, but you'd never be able to paint it. The acrylic would be paintable. But had a high chance of cracking.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's a "floating floor", looks like vinyl plank, it shouldn't be anchored to the walls. I have the exact same setup with my baseboard radiators.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Are you saying that I shouldn't caulk that small exposed area? I'm just wondering why since I don't know.

[–] Everythingispenguins 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Caulking, a 100% silicone caulking shouldn't shrink. Just curious why are you trying to seal the gap?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

My aim is to reduce pests

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Put down diatomaceous earth or a light dusting of boric acid powder into the crack. Problem solved forever.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

+1 for boric acid. Stuff is a miracle powder.

[–] Everythingispenguins 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Okay then I would fill the gap behind the wall with spray foam first then finish with caulking

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

DO NOT PUT SPRAY FOAM ON YOUR BASEBOARD RADIATORS MAN!!!! They need service occasionally and you are setting yourself up for an absolute nightmare if you get a leak!!!!

[–] Everythingispenguins 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Who said on??? I said in the crack behind the wall. That is why spray foam has a long tube for application. If someone has to go into the wall for service spray foam isn't going to be a problem.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

You're absolutely begging for moisture problems if you put spray foam in there. It should be open exactly like it is, albeit cut closer to the wall. That really won't stop bugs anyway, you're much better off treating the perimeter and plugging exterior access holes.

[–] Everythingispenguins 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Ugh not even worth it. OP do whatever the hell you want.

[–] Skhate_or_die 2 points 1 year ago

My approach would be to get a tube of silicone caulk that handles a decent range of temps and a length of hose that fits over the tip of the tube to reach under if the caulk won't reach on its own.