So Your Radiant Won't Heat? - Page 2

"I think everybody knows what they're getting into when they buy an Eichler," offered LaChance with guarded optimism.

Both men agree that, ideally, the household moves to another location while system replacement repairs are done, but they understand that isn't always possible.

"Sometimes people can't get out of the house, so they have to stay while we retrofit," LaChance concedes, noting that this is particularly dusty and problematic when cuts are needed into the foundation slab. "It's a wet saw, but it's still really dusty."

"We definitely like the homeowners to move out with their furniture," he said of his professional preference. "We try not to put people out, but they're put out no matter what."

And then there is what Eastman calls "the Amazon effect," referring to the reduced inventory carried by many parts and materials suppliers because of Internet sales. This is particularly true when servicing something like a 60-year-old heating system.

"Tracking down those parts can be a problem…even common parts that used to be on shelves," he says with a touch of nostalgia. "We can't keep all those parts ourselves. Sometimes if you have something that fails, it can be a few days before we can get a part for you."

So there is our homeowner on ice, looking at up to four weeks of waiting and perhaps two weeks of repair. Facing that scenario, moving out definitely starts to look like a warmer option.

But what to do if you can't just pick up and leave for a while?

"They've got to get space heaters," Eastman says adamantly. "Get some heat going while we figure out what to do."

Both men keep a fleet of portable space heaters on hand to loan to chilly customers. Some Eichler owners also come prepared. Besides resorting to space heaters of their own, some homeowners are equipped with mini-split and baseboard systems to supplement their radiant heat for seasonal emergencies.

But considering the busyness of the radiant repair business these days, accept Mike LaChance's closing advice as a word to the wise, Eichler owners.

"It's always good to have backup," he says, going into editorial mode. "Maybe you should write that: Everybody should have a couple of [spare] heaters in their garage."

'Nuff said!