Installing flooring heating
Having your home or flat renovated is a stressful job and one that requires a lot of patience. These things take time, with some people being quoted on how long the job will take and extending the deadline date. It is not just a simple job and you do encounter many unpredictable and annoying adjustments. One of the things that more people are beginning to do is install their own DIY floor heating, as opposed to having radiant heating built in.
People who are skilled in the construction sector and are more than capable of doing their own renovations, then using DIY equipment such as these will come in useful for them. When putting in your own heating, the more able minded people will find using DIY floor heating more effective. The process of installation takes very little time and will require minimal effort compared to installing radiant heating; however, it will require some skill as you will need to know how to lay down your tiled or wooden flooring afterwards.
The first step to installing DIY floor heating is to choose the right kind of underfloor heating system. It is important also to know what kind of flooring will absorb the heating, making it comfortable to walk on. The flooring is the most important part of the installation process and cannot be ignored when placing the new heating system. There are different levels to the flooring, and you must make sure that the sub-flooring is properly installed.
The subfloor then needs to be primed to protect it from any moisture. Wooden timber flooring tend to warp, twist, change shape and draw in moisture, whereas most laminate tiles are flexible. However, they may not stay in one position if they are installed with underfloor heating. You will also need to measure the floor space so you can add the heating system without having to worry about how much space the system will take up.
You will also need to make sure that the flooring is well insulated so there is no extra heat flow escaping, to keep it flowing in the right directions to warm up all of the room area. If the subfloor is uneven then you will need to make adjustments to make sure the heating sits well onto it. Applying an adhesive is essential for keeping the tiled floors in place and the primer will keep it protected from the adhesive moisture.
You must then prepare for the electrics, making sure that you have all of the equipment in the right areas. It is advisable to approach a qualified and professional electrician, unless you have had experience in dealing with electrics. Then you can begin laying the cable down, which will take some time if done properly. You will need to make accurate measurements making sure that the spaces in between allow space for the heated area.
Finally, you can then lay down the tiles. You will need to circuit test the electrics a few times just to be on the safe side. Further circuit tests can be done once the tiles have been laid down, using flexible adhesive and grout. You should ideally leave it for seven days before turning on the heating.
The above are just brief and basic steps into laying down DIY floor heating devices, however, you will need to read up on the warranty of your floor heating and also take advice from the manufacturer's instructions. If you have very little experience in DIY you should endeavour to hire a professional to do this for you. To do so, use our free Quick Search tool (at the top right of the page) or, if you wish to start receiving quotes right away, our Quick Submit tool.
Anna Stenning
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