Beatrice Lang
SunTouch electric floors are a great way to keep your home warm and comfortable, but what happens when they need repair? The first step is to identify the issue, which could be related to the heating wire, power lead, or thermostat. It's important to turn off the power before beginning any repairs, especially when working with water. Depending on the problem, you may need to order a repair kit or contact a licensed electrician. In some cases, you might be able to fix the issue yourself by following online tips and instructions. However, if you're unsure or uncomfortable with any part of the process, it's always best to seek professional help to ensure your safety and avoid further damage.
How to repair damaged SunTouch electric floor:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First steps | Disconnect the system's power leads from the control. |
| Use a digital multi-meter to test for a short circuit. | |
| If the GFI does not trip immediately, the system may have a "GFI conflict". | |
| If your amp meter shows the cable is not drawing the proper level of current, further diagnostic testing is required. | |
| Repairing a damaged heating wire | Remove the tile/stone/marble floor covering over the damaged cable area very carefully. |
| Cut out the damaged wire location, creating two ends. | |
| Choose between a Direct Splice or Jumper Splice repair method, depending on the amount of "play" in the damaged cable. | |
| Use a thin layer of 100% silicone sealant or heat-rated "liquid electric tape" to reseal the jacket. | |
| If the GFCI trips after water was applied to the damaged jacket, the insulation on the heating element has been damaged and it will need to be repaired with a Heating Cable Repair Kit. | |
| Further advice | If you are unsure, contact SunTouch at 888-432-8932 to troubleshoot the issue. |
| If you have to remove tiles, use a Fault Finder to help locate a break in the heated floor. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a Heating Cable Repair Kit
If you have a break in your SunTouch floor, you can use a Heating Cable Repair Kit to fix it. This kit should be installed by a licensed electrician.
Before you start, make sure the power is turned off. If you have to remove tiles, connect your loudmouth or multimeter first. You can use a Fault Finder to help locate the break. Then, remove the tile/stone/marble floor covering over the damaged area carefully. Use a blunt instrument such as a handheld grout-removal tool to remove the grout around the affected tile(s). Do not use a knife. Then, gently break out the tile with a small hammer, cleaning up the pieces as you go. Remove enough mortar and tile to give about 4 to 5 inches of free wire on both sides of the damage.
The Heating Cable Repair Kit offers two repair methods:
- Direct Splice: This method is used when the damaged cable has enough "play" to be cut and overlapped by about 3/4 inch. This provides the best heating uniformity over the splice.
- Jumper Splice: This method is used when the damaged cable does not have enough "play" to be cut and overlapped. This results in a splice section that will have very little heating directly over the splice.
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Test for a short circuit
To test for a short circuit in a SunTouch electric floor, you must first disconnect the system's power leads from the control. This is an important safety precaution.
Next, use a digital multimeter to test for a short to ground or a short circuit. If you do not have a digital multimeter, a Mega ohmmeter or a Hipot Tester can be used to determine if there is a problem with the insulation on the heating circuit. If you detect a short circuit to the ground wire, do not attempt to repair it yourself. Contact the manufacturer for advice on locating and repairing the damage.
If the GFCI does not trip immediately when it starts delivering power to the floor, the system may have a "GFCI conflict" with a component in the power supply circuit or a device that shares this power supply circuit with the floor warming system. Try to determine if the GFCI trip of the control happens at the same time that another device in the home turns on.
If the GFCI in the control trips after water was applied to the damaged jacket, the insulation on the heating element has been damaged and it will need to be repaired with a Heating Cable Repair Kit.
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Remove tiles carefully
Before you begin, ensure that the power is turned off. If you have not done so already, carefully remove the tile, stone, or marble floor covering over the damaged cable area. It is important to be cautious as tile removal can be a frequent source of damage to the wires. Removal of the grout around the affected tile(s) should be done with a blunt instrument such as a handheld grout-removal tool. Do not use a knife. Then, gently break out the tile with a small hammer, cleaning up the pieces as you go.
Remove enough mortar and tile to give about 4 to 5 inches of free wire on both sides of the damage to work with. You may need to carefully remove the mortar around the damaged wire using the hammer and/or chisel. Mesh can be cut with scissors to free the wire. Be careful not to use a knife when removing mortar and tile, as this can damage the wire. Scissors or a similar tool are more suitable for this step.
If you can see the wire, carefully remove the mortar around it. Cut out the damaged wire location, creating two ends, or leads. If you do not have the Jacketed Heating Cable, skip this step and the next. Use the Scoring Tool to carefully score the jacket about 2 inches from the end of each lead.
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Seal with silicone or heat-rated tape
Sealing your SunTouch electric floor with silicone or heat-rated tape is an important step in the repair process. Before you begin, ensure that you have the necessary materials, such as a Heating Cable Repair Kit, silicone sealant, or heat-rated tape. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Step 1: Prepare the Area
Turn off the power to the SunTouch system before beginning any repair work. This is crucial for your safety and to avoid further damage. Disconnect the system's power leads from the control. If you have tile flooring, carefully remove the tiles or stones covering the damaged cable area. Use a blunt instrument, such as a handheld grout-removal tool, to remove the grout around the affected tiles. Do not use a knife! Then, gently break out the tiles with a small hammer, being careful to clean up the pieces as you work.
Step 2: Expose the Wire
Remove enough mortar and tile to give yourself about 4 to 5 inches of free wire on both sides of the damaged area. Be cautious when removing the mortar around the damaged wire, using a hammer and/or chisel. Cut through any mesh with scissors to free the wire. Be careful not to cut any essential wires, especially the blue wire in the SunTouch TapeMat, as instructed by the manufacturer.
Step 3: Seal with Silicone or Heat-Rated Tape
Once you have exposed the damaged area, it's time to seal it. You can use a thin layer of 100% silicone sealant to cover the exposed areas. Alternatively, you can apply 2-3 coats of a heat-rated "liquid electric tape" to re-seal the jacket. Make sure to let the sealant cure fully before continuing with the installation or turning the power back on.
Step 4: Repair the Cable
Depending on the amount of damage and the type of repair kit you have, you can choose between two repair methods: Direct Splice or Jumper Splice. The Direct Splice method is suitable when the damaged cable can be cut and overlapped by about 3/4 inch, providing better heating uniformity. On the other hand, the Jumper Splice method is used when the cable doesn't have enough length to be overlapped. This method will result in a section with minimal heating over the splice.
By following these steps and allowing adequate curing time, you can effectively seal and repair your SunTouch electric floor, ensuring a safe and functional heating system.
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Contact SunTouch for support
If you need to repair your SunTouch electric floor, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue and contact SunTouch for support.
Firstly, you should disconnect the system's power leads from the control and use a digital multimeter to test for a short circuit. If you detect a short circuit to the ground wire, you should contact the manufacturer (SunTouch) before attempting to locate the damage or make any repairs. You can reach out to SunTouch by calling their customer support number: 888-432-8932. Their team can provide guidance and help you troubleshoot the issue.
If your issue is related to the thermostat, you can also contact SunTouch at 866-558-3369 or email them at
In some cases, you may need to repair or replace the heating wire or cable. Before attempting any repairs, ensure that the power is turned off. You can then remove the tile, stone, or marble floor covering over the damaged area. This should be done carefully, using a blunt instrument like a handheld grout-removal tool to remove the grout around the affected area. Do not use a knife. Gently break out the tile with a small hammer, and clean up the pieces as you go. Remove enough mortar and tile to expose the wire on both sides of the damage. You can then cut out the damaged section of the wire and use a repair kit to fix the issue. SunTouch offers repair kits for their products, which can be ordered through their website or by calling their support team.
If you are unsure about the exact issue or need further guidance, it is always best to contact SunTouch directly for support. Their technical and customer support teams can provide detailed instructions and recommendations specific to your situation.
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Frequently asked questions
If your floor is not warming up as expected, there may be a break in the heating elements. You can use a digital multimeter to test for a short circuit. If your amp meter shows that the cable is not drawing the proper level of current, further diagnostic testing will be required.
First, ensure that the power is turned off. Then, carefully remove the tile/stone/marble floor covering over the damaged area. Remove the grout with a handheld grout-removal tool and break out the tile with a small hammer. Remove enough mortar and tile to expose 4 to 5 inches of wire on both sides of the damage. Cut out the damaged wire, creating two ends. You will then need to purchase a Heating Wire Repair Kit and follow the included instructions.
You can use a Fault Finder to help locate a break in a heated floor. If you are still unable to find the break, you can contact SunTouch for further assistance.
You can try contacting SunTouch at 888-432-8932 to troubleshoot the issue. If the problem persists, you may need to replace your thermostat.
