Invested in an underfloor heating kit? That’s great news! You are now only a few steps away from a warm, comfortable home with heat supplied courtesy of a wet underfloor heating system.
As heating systems go, this is one of the simplest and easiest to opt for, both in term of operating it and installing it. Thus, many competent DIY-ers with a smattering of skills and a few tools are more than able to install their own system – and choose to do so.
But as you stand on the brink of a fairly major project, we have some hints and tips to help you lay the system of underfloor heating pipes, easily and with minimal fuss…
- For both and timbre suspended concrete floors, pipe distance between the centre of one pipe and the next loop should be 200mm, unless the instructions specify otherwise
- The pipe should lie about 100mm from the wall and always try to get the flow of the system to the cold spots first
- The maximum loop should be 110m
- We suggest having help when you lay the piping too – two people can perform the task comfortably, with one holding the loop of pipe and the other clipping in
- Insulation clips should be used and we suggest 1 or 2 clips every metre of pipe
- The manifold, wiring centre and control pack should always be located in the centre of the building
- Although you will have waste, try to use all the pipe provided in any kit or system designed for you
- Most piping is marked every metre, so that you have an idea of how much you need or have left etc.
- Normally, piping is not laid under kitchen cupboards so don’t worry about laying pipe in such places
- The manifold should be fitted around a metre above floor level and we suggest fitting this first, before you start laying piping
- Kink in the pipe? We suggest not only unkinking and straightening it, but also rearranging its location so that it sits on a straight length of floor
- Do not walk on the piping and take care with tools too as damage can be caused without you noticing
- Fill the system as per the instructions; the system should be filled with water before the screed is laid
- We suggest leaving the screed to cure for at least 4 to 6 weeks before the heating system is used – this allows the piping to become firmly encased in concrete and will not be disturbed by movement in the concrete layer and so on
- After this time, increase the heat slowly every day until it is at the maximum temperature – start on the minimum setting, adding two degrees of heat every day until 45° or 55°C is reached
- Purging the pipework from boiler to manifold will ensure that air and dirt in the system is avoided
- As soon as you have filled the piping, we always suggest laying the screed as soon as possible so that the piping is protected
Now you have the piping laid and everything fitted, we suggest some ways of ensuring that you run your system to its maximum efficiency;
- Set the room or zone thermostat to 20° or 21° – this is an appropriate indoor room temperature for here in the UK
- The pump speed may vary from one system to another, so always follow the instructions
- The mixer valve should be set to 45°C for concrete floors and 55°C for timber floors. If the room is not heating, the flow temperature valve may need to be increased
- If the system is noisy, this means there us air in the system – this can be removed by removing the end caps from the manifolds, similar to bleeding a radiator system
- We always suggest running the system for a minimum of 24 hours before making any adjustments – this allows the system time to bed in and settle
- For maximum efficiency, the system should be operating 24 hours a day during the ‘heating season’ – you can set zone or room temperatures via the thermostat to that you have only ambient heat when you don’t need the system working too hard
- The thermostat should be located 1.5m above floor level and usually by a light switch for easy reach and use – avoid fitting them in direct sunlight as this will affect the readings
How to lay underfloor heating pipes is not as complex as you think. In fact, it is the simplicity of this heating system that attracts people, as well as the satisfaction of knowing that they installed it themselves!