I have a solar hot water system that heats our house. The system uses 5 Automag zone valves. I am not sure of the model; that name was on the parts list that the contractor supplied. Three of the valves are leaking around the plate on the back of the valve. The contractor said it would eventually stop. It has been over a year now and they still leak, a crusty area around the back plate. There is a glycol solution that is running in the system. Is there a better valve that could be used? I think these are normally open and run on 24 volts. Do these normally leak? Any advice would be appreciated, Steve

I am soon going to be renovating our new home and our heating system is in desperate need of a face lift. The old oil burning furnace converted to electric is still working but is not only a hazard but is not very efficient. I really want to go with radiant heated floors and want to achieve it through a hot water tank and pex system. I was just wondering if one could layout the pex pattern on say some 3/4 plywood then use a router to make the 1/2 inch channels? Would it be wise to lay some aluminum sheeting down under the plywood where the channels are going to be made? I just need some input on methods of doing it without buying a system that is going to cost me a crap load to get shipped to northern Canada. Thanks