Big uf/tiling/insulation question

[disco]

The job.

Kitchen UF Heating Mat Area = 10m2
Utility UF Heating Mat Area = 2.35m2
Toilet/shower room UF Heating Mat Area = 0.2m2

The kitchen is seperated from the utility room by french doors, the utility room is seperated from the toilet/shower room by a standard door.

The current flooring throughout is teracotta 300x300 tiles with 5mm grout lines. THEY ARE REALLY UNEVENLY LAID due to the tiles iregular shapes and the substrate and I suspect the builders who laid them. I estimate by between 10mm and 15mm over all of the floor.

My client would like UFH (Electric)

I would like to minimise the increase in floor height though my own solution adds 60mm (to top of new finished floor) and I have already had approval from my client to fit new lintels and raise the height of door frames and fit new doors.

What is your best solution, how would you do it without lifting the old tiles?



Kind Regards

DISCO

 

[DHTiling]

So if i get this right.. you want to lay UFH onto terracotta floor tiles..?

Whats going on top..

 

[disco]

It is a concrete floor underneath, and although teracotta is a form of insulation (imho), but in answer to your question yes.

 

[Aston]

where are you based disco?

 

[disco]

the new tile has not been chosen yet but from what I have been told the shortlist are all either slate or porcelain and the sizes rnge from 450-600mm.

 

[disco]

Oxford - Why?

 

[diamondtiling]

I would not do it all if those tiles were staying down. They can be lifted in a day with an sds and a chisel attachment. Its only a small area and you need to get the prep right before thinking about laying UFH. Large format porcelain over uneven teracotta is asking for trouble.

 

[Aston]

Oxford - Why?

its just the area can have an effect on the price in some cases thats all mate

 

[CJ]

Take up terracotta tiles and do the job right first time.

Up with old

Make good floor (Re-screed if ness. Or self level)

Lay insulation panels

Lay UFH

Self level

Lay tiles

Job done

 

[diamondtiling]

Take up terracotta tiles and do the job right first time.

Up with old

Make good floor (Re-screed if ness. Or self level)

Lay insulation panels

Lay UFH

Self level

Lay tiles

Job done

There you go disco, 8 easy instructions mate.

 

[disco]

Where is the advantage in lifting them? Why shouldn't I go straight over the top of the teracottas with a slc which skips one of the steps which you recommend? I know they are stuck down securely.

 

[disco]

im not asking for a price.

 

[diamondtiling]

Where is the advantage in lifting them? Why shouldn't I go straight over the top of the teracottas with a slc which skips one of the steps which you recommend? I know they are stuck down securely.

You have no idea how well they are stuck down disco, they can sound as solid as rocks but it may be only certain areas and grout holding them down.
You want to introduce UFH which is a relatively new product, this item on its own will produce movement due to heating and cooling.
The amount of times I have seen floors fail because they have been laid over old floors, just lift them and inspect the sub floor, if it needs repairing then you will be at the right stage to do just that.

Between us we must have hundreds of years experience, take it and use it wisely, otherwise you might be digging deep into your pocket.
If your customer says it does not matter and to overlay, I guarantee he will forget that when the floor fails, and it will fail.

 

[diamondtiling]

im not asking for a price.

We couldn't give you a price anyway, thats restricted information for another sub forum.

:8:

 

[doug boardley]

as others recommend, up with the terracotta and do a belt and braces job imo.