5 Mistakes To Avoid When Setting Up A Radiant Floor Heating System

Building or even remodeling should only ever be done once and well, to avoid becoming an expensive endeavor. Most homeowners prefer to concentrate on interior design, but a radiant heating system is a major consideration when upgrading your home. But you don’t want to make a mistake that could be easily avoided when installing this type of underfloor heating right! Knowing what product best matches your installation and ordering the right quantity of tubing is essential. So, let’s take a look at 5 mistakes to avoid when setting up your radiant floor heating layout.

1: Wrong Type Of Radiant Floor Heating For Your Floor Type

A radiant floor heating layout is a popular choice for tiled floors, despite the growing popularity of heated timber floors and even heated carpet floors. If you want to use a radiant floor heating system, make sure you choose the system that is suited to the type of flooring you plan to have. For instance, suppose you want carpet. In order to ensure that the underlay and carpet will permit heat to travel through, you should know that the total tog rating of the carpet and underlay is less than 2.5 Tog. You should also note that this type of heating is not best suited to real wood as the heat can expand the flooring.

2: No Foundation Insulation

The thermal mass of the concrete itself is used in wet installations of radiant flooring to radiate heat into the home. Wet installations refer to the setting of the radiant tubing into wet concrete. In order for this to function correctly, insulation needs to be installed beneath the slab to stop heat from escaping into the ground rather than rising into the house.

3: Insufficient Screen or Tile Adhesive Usage

Everyone is aware that installing tiles requires a flat surface. Even with very little pressure being applied to the tiles, laying tiles on an uneven surface will more often than not result in cracks. This could cause issues before you even consider your underfloor heating.

PEX tubing is used in a radiant heating system to transport hot water beneath the floor. This tube, which is typically 3/8 inches thick, must be put either on an even layer of concrete or underneath the flooring. Only after allowing the concrete to set for at least 24 hours can new tiles be fitted.

4: Lack Of Appropriate Documentation

Any heating system installation that lacks a suitable design, risks disastrous outcomes. For a radiant floor heating layout, the dimensions of the supply water in the heating system, the thickness of the screed, the type of flooring, and the heat demand must be adjusted, as well as the layout and shape of the heating pipes. Lack of credible documentation not only drives up maintenance expenses but also creates problems in the event that the heating system breaks down. The exact layout of the heating pipes needs to be noted on the room plan, especially under windows, next to walls, and between rooms.

When installing threshold strips or other components that require drilling in the floor, you can prevent accidentally damaging the loops if you are aware of their precise dimensions.

5: Performing A Pressure Test Incorrectly Or Not At All

Before laying the screed, make sure the system is filled with water. This is to make sure that the system's pressure hasn't decreased significantly. At this point, leaks are easier to find and rectify than they will be after the pipes have been covered in concrete. The pressure test needs to be carried out after all of the heating circuits have been filled with water. Sometimes installers completely forego this step or fill the pipes with air instead of water. Negative effects might result from improper pressure test performance. Make sure there are no leaks before you lay the screed. An undetected leak might do substantial harm to the system.

Radiant floor heating is a cost-effective and comfortable method of heating, but in order to fully enjoy its advantages, it's crucial to identify the appropriate underfloor heating system for your needs and to install the system correctly. So if you’re thinking of a DIY radiant floor heat system for your home, consult with a qualified contractor today.