Kickboards

[Paul2468]

Hi, i wonder if anyone has had issues with underfloor heating escaping from area by kickboards, where the tile is cut to feet of units?
Thanks in advance

 

[Paul2468]

Hi, i wonder if anyone has had issues with underfloor heating heat escaping from area by kickboards, where the tile is cut to feet of units? As in not as warm there
Thanks in advance

 

[Dave]

Hi paul , i take it , its electric ufh ?

 

[Paul2468]

Hi dave, yes it is the ditra heat system

 

[Dave]

Ok, The Tiles are heating up ok though and its just some warmth is under the units ? ...

 

[EdinTiler]

@Dave So this I would imagine means that the mat has been laid under the units then?

 

[Paul2468]

No not under units the kitchen was in place before tiling so could only tile to feet of units. So wondered as cable close to an exposed edge heat could be escaping out the side of tile, yes floor is heating up ok, issue is where kickboards are not as warm as rest of floor.

 

[EdinTiler]

Do you know if there insulation boards under the heating mat?

 

[Paul2468]

No concrete screed

 

[Old Mod]

Did u see the cable laid into the matting?
Sounds like it hasn't been taken close enough to the edge.
Insulation boards, in an ideal situation, would be laid on a screed to prevent heat being radiated downward.

 

[Paul2468]

We laid the cable 75mm in from the feet of the units

 

[J Sid]

As @3_fall said, screed is probably heating up and he's is migrating.
I haven't used this heating system but would have thought a insulation board should have been used.
Measure the screed temperature under the units if you can.

 

[Old Mod]

And how far away is the cold spot?
Is that what Schluter specify, 75mm
Personally probably would have taken it closer.

 

[Paul2468]

That is their spec i believe, not as warm where stand

 

[Old Mod]

Unfortunately it seems that it's purely down to installation,
With no real solution.

 

[Dave]

No not under units the kitchen was in place before tiling so could only tile to feet of units. So wondered as cable close to an exposed edge heat could be escaping out the side of tile, yes floor is heating up ok, issue is where kickboards are not as warm as rest of floor.

Why would they want kickboards to heat up ?

 

[J Sid]

Why would they want kickboards to heat up ?

A bit confusing
I think its a cold spot on floor along the kickboards' area @Dave

 

[Paul2468]

Yes thats correct julian

 

[Paul2468]

Any other thoughts on this issue?

 

[EdinTiler]

@Paul2468 Nothing much you can do if it's an insulation issue other than accept it unless you, in the great words of Orange Juice 'Rip it up and start again'.
I pretty much refuse to fit ufh without the appropriate insulation boards because of what you are experiencing now Paul. Apparently a minimum of 70% of rising heat is lost when no insulation is used. Especially on a concrete floor.
EdinTiler

 

[Paul2468]

Well that is what client is asking to rip it up, and re do it. The builder supplied materials we just fitted what was given to us, so dont know where that leaves us really. Builder seems to think we are responsible even though we just fitted what was supplied

 

[Old Mod]

Well that is what client is asking to rip it up, and re do it. The builder supplied materials we just fitted what was given to us, so dont know where that leaves us really. Builder seems to think we are responsible even though we just fitted what was supplied

Is he expecting u to replace everything?
UFH, tiles and labour?
First thing I'd be doing is talking to Schluter!

 

[Paul2468]

Yes everything

 

[EdinTiler]

to be honest, you should've known that ufh will fail without appropriate insulation but at the same time I would think that the builder has to assume some responsibility as he spec' the materials. It's a tough one but you could find yourself in the middle of something messy here Paul mate.
EdinTiler

 

[Spare Tool]

Does actually state on the schluter website it doesn't need insulation boards

 

[Old Mod]

I think u should get schluters take on the problem.
If they say u have a correct installation minus the boards, ie u've left the cable back from the kickboards the correct distance and that it is usual for a decline in temp at that point on the floor then u'll have an arguement!
The insulation board wouldn't make a difference to the heat dropping off at the edges as far as I can see.
It'll just take longer to come up to temp.
The heat will radiate a certain distance from the cable, so if each cable let's say radiates heat over 50mm, then beyond that it will cool, so at 75mm the edge will be cooler.
On the other hand, if they say u can take cable up to edge of kick boards,
Then u may have a problem.

As far as builder taking responsibility, well you're the Proffesional floor layer, he is not!
I would imagine that in a legal situation, u'd be the one held accountable because you're the Proffesional.
Pretty much in the same way a disclaimer written by u and signed by a client for u to cut corners isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

 

[J Sid]

I had something similar wire wire ufh. Took floor temps in different areas.
Turns out main floor was reading 20.3C and 19.5C around kickboards' and felt cold.
The ufh was turned up to about 22C and this had a marked different to the feel in this area.

 

[Paul2468]

Thanks julian could be worth a go

 

[J Sid]

Have you got photos of each stage of job?
Easy to do now with phone. And handy if problems arise.

 

[Lou]

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