Hey everyone! We just got our hands on a fixer-upper, but there's a huge issue: the old hydronic baseboard heaters are soaked in dog urine from the previous owners. Seriously, they're beyond saving, and I can't imagine turning them on without the place smelling awful. What's the most affordable way to replace these heaters in each room? I'd love to hear your budget-friendly suggestions! We're planning to install ductwork for forced air heating later but need a solution for now.
3 Answers
DIYing the replacement can be easy and budget-friendly! You’ll need some copper pipes and fittings, a torch, and cutting tools - which you can get for about $100. Just remember to practice your soldering skills first. You’ll drain each zone, replace the heaters, refill the system, and then bleed the air out. Just be aware, if you mess up the soldering, you'll need to drain it again. But once you get the hang of it, it's a useful skill to have!
Replacing those baseboard heaters isn't too tough if you’ve got some basic skills. You can find new ones at places like Home Depot or any local supply store, and they're usually pretty cheap. Just remember, if you're hiring someone to do it, expect to pay a few thousand bucks depending on where you live. But if you do it yourself, you'll save a lot! Just make sure you watch some soldering videos beforehand if you go that route.
Just a heads up, if you decide to hire a plumber, it's not going to be cheap. They’ll need to drain each zone, cut out the old heaters, and install the new ones, which will likely cost you hundreds or even thousands. But if you're up for some DIY, that could save you a lot!