![]() When all circuits have been installed, prepare the manifold(s) for pressure testing. The tubing should be tied to the WWF reinforcing every 60 to 72” on straight runs, and two ties at the bend on each side. The radiant heat Pex should be secured to the WWF using either twisted wire ties or nylon pull ties. ![]() Keep plenty of slack ahead of you as the tubing is fastened in place. When using an uncoiler, pull the tubing from the coil as needed. Using a tubing uncoiler helps when laying the radiant heat Pex. Roll out the coil like rolling a “tire” following the layout pattern and tie down the radiant heat Pex to the wire mesh. Try and use all of the radiant heat Pex in the floor prior to making the manifold connection. Make sure the end reaches the manifold. Begin by securing one end of the circuit to the supply manifold. Tubing installation takes place one circuit at a time. Edges should be overlapped approximately 6” and tied together. It should be placed directly on top of the underslab insulation. Most concrete slab on grade floors use welded wire fabric (WWF) for reinforcement and crack control. Once the insulation is in place, the steel reinforcement for the slab is installed. The manifolds can be temporarily bracketed to plywood panel supported on wooden or steel stakes driven into the sub grade. If one more of the manifold stations will be located within stud cavity, it’s imperative to make accurate measurements when fixing the manifold’s location. The next step on most installations is to locate and temporarily mount the manifold station(s). Extruded polystyrene panels are highly resistant to moisture absorption, and have a well-established record in ground contact insulation applications. ![]() It’s also available in several densities to handle different floor loading. It’s sold in 2 by 8 foot and 4 by 8 foot sheets in several thicknesses. The most commonly used material for slab edge and underside insulation is extruded polystyrene. It makes little sense to attempt the installation of a high quality heating system while omitting crucial and relatively low cost details. Discovering high downward heat loss after the system is in operation is a situation that’s virtually impossible to correct. ![]() Realistically there’s only one opportunity to install underslab insulation-before the slab is poured. Not taking steps to mitigate such heat loss is like leaving the windows open throughout the winter. They are a necessary part of any quality floor heating system. Edge and underslab insulation are essential in reducing these losses. Heat loss from the edge and underside of a heated slab on grade can be substantial, especially in areas with high water tables or where the slab rests on bedrock. However, its ability to resist moisture migration from the underlying soils can be indispensable, especially when wood products are used as the finish flooring. Some building specifications may not call for an underslab vapor barrier insulation. It could also leave the installer having to defend why the floor heating system isn’t at least partly responsible for cracks in the slab or other defects.Īfter the sub grade has been prepared, the soil vapor barrier and underslab insulation should be installed. Although the heating system installer is probably not responsible for this aspect of construction, failing to check for proper sub grade preparation could eventually compromise the embedded tubing circuits. The installation of a radiant heated floor slab begins by verifying the sub grade has been properly leveled and compacted. These buildings almost always have uncovered concrete floors, and benefit tremendously from the warm, dry floors that radiant hydronic floor heating can provide. Some of the best radiant floor heating opportunities are in pole barns, shops, garages, basements, automotive service centers, town highway garages, fire stations and aircraft hangers. It includes a significant percentage of single family houses as well as a large percentage of commercial buildings. The number of buildings with this type of floor construction is huge. As the past has demonstrated, concrete slab-on-grade floors are ideal for radiant floor heating.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |