Eichler homes were revolutionary for their time, featuring open floor plans, floor-to-ceiling glass, and slab-on-grade foundations with embedded radiant heating. This unique construction requires a specialized approach.
The original copper or steel pipes are embedded directly in the concrete. Accessing them for repairs is difficult, making system preservation critical.
The boiler is the heart of the home. When original 60-year-old boilers fail, they must be replaced with care to protect the vintage pipe network.
With flat roofs and slab foundations, there is no room to hide plumbing. We are experts at running new lines discreetly when necessary.
Most Eichlers were built in the 1950s and 60s. The original boilers were built like tanks but are extremely inefficient by modern standards. More importantly, the pipes in the floor have accumulated decades of sludge and magnetite (rust).
Warning: Do not simply connect a new high-efficiency boiler to old Eichler pipes.
New boilers have narrow waterways that will clog instantly with old system sludge, destroying the unit and voiding the warranty.
Before we touch the boiler, we isolate the floor loops and pressure test them. We need to know if the pipes in the slab are sound. If we find leaks, we can often repair them or abandon specific bad loops without tearing up the whole floor.
We use a high-velocity pump and specialized cleaners to flush out decades of black sludge (magnetite). We don't stop until the water runs crystal clear. This is the most critical step for the longevity of your new system.
We install a magnetic dirt separator on every Eichler boiler replacement. This device constantly catches any remaining metal particles in the water, preventing them from entering the sensitive heat exchanger of your new boiler.
We install a modern, modulating condensing boiler (like Lochinvar or Viessmann) that adjusts its output to match the weather. This can lower your heating bills by 30-40% compared to the original boiler.
Original Eichlers often had one thermostat for the whole house. We can often upgrade your controls to smart thermostats (like Nest or Ecobee) that allow you to control your heating from your phone and set schedules.
We can install a "Combi" boiler that handles both your radiant floor heating and your domestic hot water (showers/sinks) in one unit. This saves valuable space in your garage or utility closet.
Surprisingly, yes. The original steel and copper pipes used in the 50s were thick and durable. While they don't last forever, many are still sound. We verify this with a pressure test before doing any work. If they hold pressure, they can keep heating your home.
Yes, but you must choose carefully. Carpet acts as an insulator and blocks the heat. Thick solid wood can warp. Engineered hardwood, polished concrete, tile, or stone are the best options for conducting heat efficiently.
We use thermal imaging and acoustic listening devices to pinpoint leaks. In many cases, we can open a small section of the floor to repair it. If a loop is too damaged, we can sometimes abandon that specific loop while keeping the rest of the system active.
We specialize in the Eichler communities of Marin (Lucas Valley, Terra Linda, Marinwood) and San Francisco (Diamond Heights, Visitacion Valley). We know these tracts and their specific plumbing layouts.
Don't trust your vintage radiant system to just any plumber. Call the specialists who understand how your home was built.
