How to install underfloor heating

How to install underfloor heating.

 Mesh Mats Underfloor Heating Guide.

Installing underfloor heating yourself is a rather simple process. If you the handyman type, following the steps listed below should be easy and fun to follow; so…how to install underfloor heating ?

How to install underfloor heating

Step 1: Make sure the size mat you purchased is the correct size for your room.  Now you need to plan the layout of the mat. Start doing this by doing a sketch of the room with all measurements of mat. Also, know where you would be positioning your thermostat, as this would the starting and end point of the mat.

Step 2: Once step 1 is done, make sure the floor surface is clean and level. If there are any rough patches, level it out with self leveling screed.

Step 3: Now, from the point where you would place your thermostat, roll out the mat to the desired length, then cut the mesh to twist mat to run parallel next to rolled out length, be careful not to cut the wire. You may cut away some mesh if you have excess, this could happen when installing in bathrooms. Continue in this fashion until the desired floor space is covered, ending back at starting point.

Step 4: To hold the mat in place, use strong duct tape, hot glue gun or nails attached to mesh, NOT the wire.

Step 5: If you are installing an external sensor ( would be used for bathrooms, cemcrete floors and wooden floors ), this should be perfectly positioned in the middle of the heating wires. If you position it closer to one cable than the other, the temperature would not be gauged properly.

Step 6: If you had purchased an alarm ( ideally you should ), connect the cold tails ( this is the wire at end of mat which connects to the thermostat ), to the alarm to ensure the mat did not get damaged. If the alarm sounds, you have a problem.

Step 7: .To lay your tiles or floor surface: There are 2 methods, its up to your own initiative.

Method 1: You can lay tiles directly on top of mat ensuring the tile adhesive goes through the mesh to make contact with concrete floor.

Method 2: Prepare a slurry mixture of self leveling screed and bonding liquid. Spread this mixture over the mat and leave it to dry. This mixture will get rock hard. You can now install the floor surface of your choice.

Step 8. Assuming the alarm hasn’t sounded, floor surface been laid, you can now connect the thermostat to the heating system.

In our next blog we will explain how to connect and position various models of thermostats.

Step 9. Let it dry for a few days before first usage.

If you are using the wire without the mesh, you should watch the following video link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XozfGnPsm1Q

If you found this guide to be useful and user friendly? Then don’t forget to like us!!!

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https://www.underfloorheating.joburg

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Johannesburg – 238 Beyers Naude, Randburg

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Underfloor Heating-tiles-carpets heaters and DIY units-JC Heat 2 tile



Underfloor heating by JC Heat 2 tile

http://www.jcheat2tile.co.za/
https://www.underfloorheating.joburg
http://www.diyunderfloorheating.co.za/
Cell 083 2263043



This is our latest ENERGY SAVING Underfloor Heating Thermostats.

They are +- 99 percent accurate, thus switching on and off at almost the precise moment resulting in saving of electricity costs. These thermostats are standard with all our installations. We are also suppliers of these thermostats as well as the analogue.

Prices for Programmable R800-00, Digital = R600, Analogue = R400. For FREE quotations for underfloor heating requirements, you may sms the room sizes or give us a call and we will gladly assist and advise. D-I-Y Units are available too.  

                                                                                                

 Send SMS to 083 2263043 with room size for a quick quotation!

Installing Underfloor Heating is not as expensive as you might think. The only expense would be the initial outlay, which, once again won't hurt your wallet.

It is advisable to insulate your home, ie insulating your roof and making sure doors and windows are properly fixed as much of the heat escapes via these routes.

Underfloor heating is a system whereby heating wires is laid directly on to a concrete surface.It can be installed on top of existing tiles but then the floor surface will need to be treated. The wires are flouro-carbon-polymer,(not PVC ) cables which has a lifetime durability. If it is PVC your heating system will melt, lasting for a maximum of 5 years only.

These wires are placed 6 - 7cm apart, not 10cm apart, covering 60 to 70% of the floor surface. On top of the wires a mesh is laid, screed binder is then spread over this, left to dry, bonding the entire heating system to the concrete floor. Floor covering of your choice, ie: tiles, carpets, wooden floors or screed, is then laid as per normal. The installation is no more than 2-3mm thick. Also attached to the underfloor heater is a thermostat which is used to regulate the temperature of your desired comfort level.

Upon first usage of your underfloor heater, you need to set the thermostat to maximum for a period of approximately 24 hours.
The reason for this is in order to dry up any moisture that may be existent under your floor surface. There after you may set the thermostat to your desired comfort level.The effect of the underfloor heating would be felt within 10 to 20 minutes. The beauty of underfloor heating is that it is completely hidden yet surely felt with minimum fuss and cost to you. With warm air rising from the floor, uniform heat is created at foot level, gently warming the upper area, eliminating the cold and hot spots as per conventional heating.Underfloor heating is user friendly and the most economically affordable system to use, saving up to 40% of electricity bills.

Underfloor heating mesh

Undertile heating has many benefits. It is the healthier option as it does not dry out the air and there is no circulation of dust which is perfect for allergy sufferers. Undertile heating provides all round central heating. It is also completely safe as their is no exposure of heating elements or flames and is totally waterproof. It is environmentally friendly as it it does not dry the air nor produce any flames. Underfloor heating is energy efficient due to it heating the room up faster and effectively. For it to work effectively, heating requirements is measured per room size ensuring the proper amount of kilowatts to heat the room up sooner, minimizing electrical consumption costs. For example: when the thermostat is set to 25 degrees, with the correct installation, the room heats up faster resulting in the thermostat measuring the reached 25 degrees and switches off. It is also very important to utilise quality materials upon installation. This will ensure the proper binding of the heating system to the floor surface ensuring the future security of the new floor surface. If cheap or bad quality materials are used, the heating system could loosen resulting in the lifting of your floor surface, ie: wooden floors, tiles etc.

With a wooden floor surface, a thermostat with a floor probe has to be used. The reason for this is that wooden floors can have a maximum temperature of 28 degrees only. Anything higher would damage your wooden floor causing it to dry out, warp and expand.



Photo of installation of under floor heating

With a tile floor surface you can have maximum temperatures of 45 degrees as well as with carpets. The thermostats can be surface mounted on the wall connected with a plug. If a house under construction, power boxes can be supplied by the electrician then the thermostats can be fitted inside the wall. All thermostats should have separate isolator as per regulation.

 Underfloor Heating is the best durable investment you can make or add to your home.

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