Any Tips For Electric Radiant Floor Heat?

sage

So let me start by saying that I have layed the heating mat many times in the past and had my tiler come in and skim coat for me. I can and do lay my own tile but I often sub it out in an effort to save time or if I feel the tile work is very intricate and better results will be achieved by subbing.

This time I am planning to put down heat in a 450 square foot area, so probably about 300 sf of mat. I have never bedded/skimmed it my self and since this is in my own home I thought this would be a good time to give it a shot.

Or maybe not

Does any one have any direction for me on how this is done, or tips?

I have never even watched it being done.

Should I just call my tiler and have him do it, I know it will be spot on as usual if I do.

I am even more nervous about it because of the size of the space and because my wife is my worst client

TIA - any and all help is greatly appreciated.

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TonyD

Let me start by saying I haven't done it.

It is my understanding that it is done the same way as tiling without it. You just need to figure in twice as much thinset to bed it in. I would also assume that your guide lines are harder to maintain and follow. The biggest concern would be voids in the thinset if they would be an issue. (how well that mats are buryied)
Are you planning on setting the mats in wit a notched trowel then smoothing over with a flat?
If it were me I would ask as many questions to the manu. or your supplier to not void any warranties.
Good Luck!

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sage

Thanks Tony. That's about what I got from the manu. Use a flat trowel and lay between an 1/8 and 1/4 over the mat, depending on the product. To be honest I think my biggest concern is staying level over a such a large area, and I don't want to pour SLC. I know how easy it is to lose perspective when doing work over such a large area. what you think is 1/4'' becomes an 1/8'' in one corner and 3/8'' in the other.

Still considering trashing the idea because it will raise the entire floor an additional 1/4'' over my hardwood. That puts me a total of 5/8 over. That I don't like, I have done it and milled transitions for it but only when there was no other options aside from $$$$$$$.

Still Any tips would be great

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Hammatime

If it was me, I would let my sub do the job. Everytime I do something in my house that I usually have a sub do on a job, my wife goes over it with a fine tooth comb. Like you said our wives are our worst clients.

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Mike Finley

What exactly are you looking to know? Which one are you going to install? If you are still undecided I would recommend Warmly Yours, that's the only one I use.

Each one seems to have its own issues, the secret is to stick with one brand all the time.No matter what these things are a huge pain in the ass. The more you can fasten it down before Mudding the better off you well be. We charge about $25 Sq/ ft I hate them so much.

Your wife is lucky she is getting this, it would take some major persuasion for me to do it for myself.

DaveTap

I'd normally reccommend cutting your teeth on a smaller less critical area first... like a laundry room or bathroom, Also check the mats before installing... nothing more embarassing than laying a floor and not having them work... (or so i've been told while trying to find problem)

sage

[QUOTE=Mike Finley;153139]What exactly are you looking to know? If you are still undecided I would recommend Warmly Yours, that's the only one I use.
QUOTE]
I guess what I want to know is if there are any tips to keeping your surface level while bedding your mat in large areas.

Thanks for t he rec., I too have been using Warmly yours exclusively for the past 2 years. Good product and support

Definitely good advice, I am waiting for a smaller project to go it alone . We always check the mat first (ohm reading) and the system comes with an OH @#$#! Alarm


I decided to bring in my sub But its better than getting crap for the rest of my floors life because of unleveled tiles.

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-Lead from the front, or dont lead at all-

Bud Cline

Test Test

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tgeb

What's the matter Bud?, Internet busted?

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www.gebcon.com

Mike Finley

I've always wondered if I could use the SunTouch Loud Mouth device when installing Warmly Yours heating mats.

Bud Cline

Yow had a little glitch but Nathan was able to help me fix it post haste. Thanks Nathan.

__________________
TO OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS:
Please manage your children.
Any children unattended throughout the day
will be given a Free Mountain Due at our regular quiting time.

steven62

The suntouch loud mouth will monitor continuity and ground fault on any single wire hookup radiant floor heat system. Remember to check the batteries frequently, and do a self test before using, and if multiple mats are hooked up to it it is done in series instead of parallel.
This is normally the only time the wiring is done in this manner for any of the single wire systems.

Nailbird

I just did a large floor with embedded wire heating. Use a self-leveler like Mapei's Ultrapan. Don't be afraid of making a very soupy mix, it dries very fast. Work in 20 SF sections mixing the self-leveler in a 5 gal plastic pail - don't mix more because it will set too quickly. Over wire, a bag of Ultrapan will cover about 40 SF, so mix half a bag at a time. Pour the leveler and let it flow - all you have to do is help it move with a PLASTIC trowel (flat on all sides so you can work in both directions). Keep the buckets moving until you cover all of the wire. I then use Kerabond/Keralastic to see the tiles over the Ultrapan. You don't need a Loudmouth, just keep an eye on the resistance of the heating element and sensors. If your system has a separate sensor make sure to put a spare in the floor... just in case. This is an easy job.