Do-It-Yourself: Hydronic Baseboard Installation

Lay the baseboard panels out along the walls you choose to heat. Do not install the panels on walls behind large items of furniture such as bookshelves, couches or beds. Use a stud finder and pencil to locate and mark two studs behind each heater panel.

Drill two holes in the floor or wall with a 9/16-inch bit to create openings for the water pipes near the first panel of your baseboard heating system. Attach a protective sleeve to the areas of the pipes that will rub against the edges of the wall or floor.

Attach a mounting bracket to each wall stud so the heater panel will sit at least an inch above the floor when installed. If the wall is not perfectly straight, place a wooden shim behind one bracket to create an even mounting surface for the baseboard heater.

Insert the hydronic baseboard panels into the mounting brackets according to the instructions in your owner's manual. You may have to tilt each panel up or down to lock it into position. Attach two panels together with 2 pieces of 2- to 5-inch flexible piping.

Run the inlet and return water pipes from the boiler through the holes you drilled in the floor or wall. Attach the water supply pipe to the inlet valve on the first panel in your hydronic baseboard system. Connect the rest of the panels with the flexible pipes included in your installation package. When you reach the last panel in the system, bend the pipe into a U-shape with your hands. Connect one end of the pipe to the water inlet valve and the other end to the return valve.

Open the main supply valve to allow water to flow into the system. Watch for leaks at the connection points and use the bleed valve when necessary to remove any air from the pipes. Once you are satisfied that the system is functioning properly, attach the trim pieces included in your installation hardware package to cover any exposed connection points.