BOILERS • HYDRONIC HEATING • TORONTO & THE GTA
Hydronic heating service, repair, replacement and system design — beyond the boiler.
DAVESDUCTS installs, services, diagnoses and maintains residential and light-commercial hydronic heating systems. We work on boilers, combi boilers, hydronic air handlers, pumps, piping, zoning, controls, radiators, radiant floors and domestic-hot-water integration — including systems installed by other contractors.
HYDRONIC SERVICES
From a no-heat call to a complete mechanical-room redesign.
Hydronic systems can fail because of the heat source, circulation, controls, zoning, piping, pressure or heat emitters. DAVESDUCTS can investigate the complete system before recommending repair or replacement.
SERVICE
Boiler & Hydronic Diagnostics
No heat, intermittent heat, lockouts, pressure problems, pump issues, control faults, visible leaks and other hydronic-system concerns.
REPAIR
Hydronic System Repairs
Repair or replace applicable pumps, controls, zone components, expansion-related components, valves and other serviceable hydronic equipment after diagnosis.
REPLACEMENT
Boiler & Combi Replacement
High-efficiency boiler and combi-boiler replacement with the required piping, venting, condensate, controls and system modifications included in the approved scope.
AIR HANDLERS
Hydronic Air Handlers
Install, service and repair hydronic air handlers and evaluate the boiler or hot-water source, coil, blower, controls and duct system together.
RADIANT
Radiant Floors & Snow Melting
Hydronic radiant heating and approved exterior snow-melting applications, including pumps, manifolds, controls and heat-source integration.
MAINTENANCE
Boiler Preventative Maintenance
Inspection and maintenance tailored to the boiler and surrounding hydronic system rather than treating it as an isolated appliance.
COMMON HYDRONIC PROBLEMS
Tell us what the system is doing — not just which part you think is broken.
The same symptom can have several causes. A boiler replacement will not correct a failed circulator, poor zoning, trapped air, inadequate flow, incorrect water temperature or an emitter problem.
No Heat
Boiler not firing, system locked out, pump not circulating, failed zone control or another condition preventing heat delivery.
One Zone Is Cold
Investigate thermostat calls, zone valves, relays, circulators, air, restrictions and the connected heat emitter.
Pressure Keeps Changing
Evaluate expansion tank, fill components, relief discharge, trapped air, leaks and system operating pressure.
Boiler Short-Cycling
Review load, control strategy, water temperature, flow, zoning and equipment operation instead of changing parts at random.
Radiators / Floors Uneven
Check circulation, balancing, zoning, water temperature and whether the connected emitters can transfer the required heat.
Hydronic Air Handler Underperforming
Water-side temperature and flow must work together with blower performance, coil pressure drop and duct-system airflow.
Leaking Mechanical Room
Identify whether leakage is coming from boiler components, piping, valves, pumps, relief devices, condensate or another source.
Old System / High Fuel Use
Determine whether maintenance, control improvements, distribution corrections or equipment replacement makes the most sense.
WHOLE-SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS
A boiler problem is not always a boiler problem.
DAVESDUCTS looks at the heat source, distribution, controls and emitters that are relevant to the complaint. The objective is to identify the actual cause before recommending major work.
FLOW
Pumps & Circulation
Circulator operation, piping configuration, valves, restrictions and air in the system can determine whether heated water reaches each zone.
PRESSURE
Expansion & Fill
Expansion tanks, fill components, relief devices and pressure conditions can create leaks, pressure swings and nuisance shutdowns.
CONTROLS
Thermostats & Zoning
A boiler can be operating while a thermostat, relay, zone valve, circulator or control strategy prevents one area from heating.
DELIVERY
Radiators, Floors & Air Handlers
The connected emitters must be able to transfer the required heat at the water temperatures and flow rates being used.
DAVESDUCTS APPROACH
Diagnose the system before replacing components.
We can service hydronic equipment installed by other contractors. When appropriate, we evaluate the boiler together with the surrounding system instead of assuming the appliance itself is the only problem.
BOILER REPLACEMENT & RETROFIT
Do not size the new boiler from the old boiler’s nameplate alone.
Older boilers are frequently oversized or connected to systems that have changed over time. A proper replacement should consider the building load, connected radiation, water-temperature requirements, domestic-hot-water demand, venting, gas supply, controls and distribution system.
Boiler & Combi Replacement
Replace aging or failed equipment with a properly selected high-efficiency boiler or combi system where appropriate.
Mechanical-Room Re-Piping
Correct poorly arranged piping, pumps, isolation, air elimination, expansion, controls and serviceability where included in the project scope.
System Modernization
Integrate new controls, zoning, pumps, indirect domestic hot water or other hydronic upgrades when the existing system warrants broader correction.
DESIGN MATTERS
Heat load, emitters and water temperature need to agree.
Radiant floors, radiators, baseboards and hydronic coils can require different water temperatures and flow rates. Equipment selection and control strategy should match the actual application.
NAVIEN SERVICE SPECIALIST
Navien boiler, combi-boiler and tankless expertise.
DAVESDUCTS is a Navien Service Specialist and provides applicable Navien installation, diagnostics, repair and maintenance throughout Toronto and the GTA.
NAVIEN
Boilers & Combi Boilers
Navien boiler and combi systems can be considered for suitable hydronic applications. Equipment selection depends on heating load, domestic-hot-water requirements, piping, controls and site conditions.
NTI
Condensing Hydronic Equipment
NTI manufactures condensing boilers and combi-boiler equipment for residential and commercial hydronic applications. The appropriate product depends on the project and current equipment requirements.
COMBI BOILERS & DOMESTIC HOT WATER
One appliance can provide space heating and domestic hot water — but it still has to be sized correctly.
A combi boiler can reduce the number of appliances in a mechanical room, but domestic-hot-water output and space-heating requirements must both be considered. A high DHW rating does not mean that same capacity is appropriate for the building’s heating load.
Space Heating
Match the boiler side of the appliance to the building load and connected hydronic system.
Domestic Hot Water
Consider simultaneous fixture demand, desired flow rate, incoming water temperature and household usage.
Controls & Priority
Configure domestic-hot-water priority, pumps, zoning and boiler controls around the actual mechanical system.
HYDRONIC AIR HANDLERS
Hot-water heat can also be distributed through ductwork.
A hydronic air handler uses heated water through a coil while a blower moves air through the duct system. DAVESDUCTS can work on both sides of that system: the hydronic water circuit and the air-distribution system.
Water Temperature & Flow
The boiler or approved hot-water source must deliver the temperature and flow required by the air-handler coil.
Blower & Coil Performance
Coil pressure drop, fan speed and available blower performance determine how much air can actually move through the unit.
Ductwork & Static Pressure
Return-air capacity, supply duct sizing, filters, fittings and registers remain critical because the heat is ultimately delivered through air.
RADIANT HEATING & SPECIALTY HYDRONICS
Hydronics can serve more than conventional radiators and baseboards.
Depending on the project, hydronic heat can be delivered through radiant floors, fan coils, hydronic air handlers and approved snow-melting systems. Each application needs the correct water temperatures, flow rates, controls and heat source.
Radiant Floor Heating
Design, service and repair of applicable hydronic radiant floor systems, including manifolds, pumps and controls.
Snow Melting
Hydronic exterior snow-melting systems for suitable driveways, walkways and other approved applications.
Mixed-Temperature Systems
Projects with radiators, radiant floors or hydronic coils may require different supply-water temperatures and appropriate mixing/control strategies.
BASEMENT CEILING HEIGHT & HYDRONIC RE-PIPING
Old radiator piping does not have to dictate the height of your basement ceiling.
Many older Toronto and GTA homes have large cast-iron or steel hydronic piping running below the floor structure to serve existing radiators. During a basement renovation, DAVESDUCTS can evaluate whether that low-hanging distribution piping can be removed and replaced with a more compact PEX-based home-run system.
REMOVE LOW-HANGING PIPING
Recover usable ceiling height.
Where the existing system allows it, bulky cast-iron or steel radiator distribution piping can be removed from below joists and replaced with smaller-diameter PEX routed more efficiently through the structure.
- Reduce mechanical obstructions below floor joists.
- Create more room for higher finished basement ceilings.
- Improve routing through renovated mechanical spaces.
- Reduce reliance on large shared distribution mains.
HOME-RUN MANIFOLD SYSTEM
Dedicated PEX circuits to individual radiators.
Instead of feeding multiple radiators from large shared mains, the system can be redesigned with dedicated supply and return home runs from a central manifold to each radiator where practical.
- Dedicated circuits to individual radiators.
- Centralized manifold for organized distribution.
- Individual circuit isolation and balancing capability.
- Cleaner, more serviceable piping layout.
CONTROL OPPORTUNITY
A central manifold can also create better zoning and control options.
Depending on the system design, manifold-based distribution can make it easier to isolate, balance and control individual radiator circuits. The final control strategy must be designed around the boiler, required flow rates, radiator output, water temperature and overall system hydraulics.
Basement Renovations
Re-pipe old radiator distribution to support higher ceilings and cleaner mechanical layouts during finished-basement projects.
Older Toronto Homes
Modernize legacy cast-iron and steel hydronic distribution while retaining suitable existing radiators where appropriate.
Whole-System Upgrade
Combine distribution re-piping with boiler replacement, pump upgrades, zoning changes or mechanical-room modernization when the project warrants it.
RESIDENTIAL & LIGHT COMMERCIAL
Hydronic work for homes, custom projects and light-commercial buildings.
DAVESDUCTS can support service calls, replacements and project work where the system and scope fit our residential and light-commercial hydronic capabilities.
Existing Homes
Repair aging boilers, correct distribution issues, replace equipment and improve serviceability in occupied homes.
Custom Homes & Renovations
Coordinate boilers, hydronic air handlers, radiant heat, domestic hot water and controls as part of a broader mechanical project.
Light Commercial
Diagnostics, repair, maintenance and selected hydronic project work for appropriate commercial applications.
BOILER MAINTENANCE
Maintenance should include the system around the boiler.
The appropriate maintenance scope depends on the equipment and hydronic configuration. Boiler service can include operation and controls, thermostats and zoning, accessible combustion components, pumps, expansion tank, safety devices, system pressure and temperature, accessible piping, venting, condensate and glycol condition where applicable.
Typical Maintenance Review
- Boiler operation and system controls.
- Thermostat and zoning response.
- Accessible heat exchanger and combustion area.
- Burners and ignition components as applicable.
- Gas pressure and combustion performance as applicable.
- Circulating pumps and accessible piping.
- Expansion tank, relief and safety components.
- System pressure, temperature, venting and condensate.
Boiler Maintenance Pricing
Hydronic systems vary substantially in equipment, number of zones and configuration, so DAVESDUCTS quotes boiler maintenance according to the actual system and required scope.
START HERE
What kind of hydronic help do you need?
NO HEAT / REPAIR
Hydronic Service Call
For active boiler faults, no heat, pressure issues, leaks or zoning problems.
REPLACEMENT
Boiler / Combi Project
For aging equipment, mechanical-room upgrades or replacement planning.
MAINTENANCE
Preventative Service
For boiler maintenance and seasonal inspection of the hydronic system.
HYDRONICS & BOILER FAQ
Common questions about hydronic heating service and replacement.
Does DAVESDUCTS service boilers installed by another contractor?
Yes. DAVESDUCTS services and repairs applicable hydronic equipment installed by other contractors. The diagnostic or maintenance scope depends on the equipment and surrounding system.
What is the difference between a boiler and a furnace?
A boiler heats water for a hydronic distribution system. A furnace heats air and uses ductwork to distribute it. A hydronic air handler combines the two approaches by using heated water through a coil and a blower to distribute warm air through ducts.
What is a combi boiler?
A combi boiler provides hydronic space heating and domestic-hot-water production from one appliance. The domestic water remains separated from the closed-loop heating water through the appliance’s heat-exchange arrangement.
Is DAVESDUCTS a Navien Service Specialist?
Yes. DAVESDUCTS is a Navien Service Specialist and provides applicable Navien boiler, combi-boiler and tankless-water-heater installation, diagnostics, repair and maintenance in Toronto and the GTA.
Why are some rooms hot while others are cold?
Uneven heating can involve zoning, circulators, valves, trapped air, restrictions, controls, water temperature, heat emitters or differences in building load. The cause should be diagnosed before parts are replaced.
Can a boiler provide domestic hot water too?
Yes. Depending on the design, domestic hot water can be produced by a combi boiler, an indirect water heater connected to a boiler or another approved arrangement.
Can hydronic heating work with ductwork?
Yes. A hydronic air handler uses heated water through a coil and a blower to distribute warm air through a duct system. Because the heat is distributed through air, duct sizing and airflow still matter.
Should I replace my boiler just because it is old?
Not automatically. Age, condition, reliability, efficiency, repair cost, parts availability, venting, controls and the condition of the surrounding hydronic system should all be considered before deciding whether replacement makes sense.
How much does boiler maintenance cost?
DAVESDUCTS quotes boiler maintenance according to the boiler and hydronic-system configuration because the scope can vary significantly between systems. Contact us with the equipment information and system details for current pricing.
Does DAVESDUCTS provide hydronic service in Toronto and the GTA?
Yes. DAVESDUCTS provides residential and light-commercial boiler and hydronic heating installation, diagnostics, repair and maintenance throughout Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, subject to project location and scope.
Can you remove old radiator piping to increase basement ceiling height?
Potentially, yes. In many older homes, bulky cast-iron or steel hydronic distribution piping can sometimes be removed and replaced with smaller PEX home-run circuits to the existing radiators through a central manifold. Feasibility depends on the building structure, radiator locations, boiler system, required flow rates and available routing.
BOILERS & HYDRONIC HEATING • TORONTO & THE GTA
Need a boiler repair, Navien service, radiant heating work or a complete hydronic upgrade?
Tell DAVESDUCTS what the system is doing, what equipment you have and which areas are affected. We can assess the heat source, distribution, controls and connected emitters together and recommend the appropriate next step.
