Removing 20mm thick marble over UFH.

[CCTiling]

Hi.
I need to remove a couple of 400x400x20mm marble over loose wire UFH taped down onto 6mm hardibacker. The hardibacker is fixed down onto chipboard. The wire hasn't been covered with SLC and the tiles have been down for nearly 2 weeks. Any help would be appreciated as I'm not looking forward to this!! Cheers

 

[DHTiling]

Ok... The easiest way will be to remove the grout around the affected tiles and then break them into small bits to try and break the contact with the cable... you will have to try and be extra careful not to damage the ufh but if you do then this can be repaired...

 

[CCTiling]

Ok... The easiest way will be to remove the grout around the affected tiles and then break them into small bits to try and break the contact with the cable... you will have to try and be extra careful not to damage the ufh but if you do then this can be repaired...

Hi Dave,
Thanks for advice. What do you recommend breaking the tiles with? I have a multimaster to take away the grout so thats no problem, just concerned with the tiles as they are so thick.

 

[DHTiling]

Just use a hammer....

If you do break the cable then the manufaturer will do a repair kit... this will void the warranty but will get the floor working again..

Why are you having to change tiles so soon after installation.?

 

[Gazzer]

If its possible ( dust problems) you could slice the marble with an angle grinder to weaken them and then its a slow process with a hammer and small chisel.
Just be careful not to go all the way through the tile.

 

[Aston]

as above

but i would really make sure you remove all the grout to give you as much clearance as you can get...use a small pointed chisel and start to break around the edges first. the marble will be weaker around the edges than in the middle!! there will be some room for the tile to move and then start working your way from around the edges to the center.
tap with a firm impact but dont smash away and there will be less chance of damaging the wires but as dave say's, these can easily be repaired...

good luck, but this is a classic case of why i believe you should slc over ufh..

ed

 

[CCTiling]

I think I will try the hammer to start with as I don't want to create to much dust.
Regarding why the removal : I was cutting the plinths down to size today ready to be fixed back after the spark as been back to wire in heating and there I saw lying under the cupboard the floor probe. I could not believe it, I'm always so careful to get everything 100% right but I suppose I'm only human!

 

[CCTiling]

as above

but i would really make sure you remove all the grout to give you as much clearance as you can get...use a small pointed chisel and start to break around the edges first. the marble will be weaker around the edges than in the middle!! there will be some room for the tile to move and then start working your way from around the edges to the center.
tap with a firm impact but dont smash away and there will be less chance of damaging the wires but as dave say's, these can easily be repaired...

good luck, but this is a classic case of why i believe you should slc over ufh..

ed

Cheers Ed.
I'm not sure if I'll be able to remove all the grout being 20mm thick tiles with the multimaster but will get down as far as poss. Thanks for your advice

 

[CCTiling]

God forbid but if the cable gets damaged in more than 1 place can it still be repaired?

 

[Gazzer]

God forbid but if the cable gets damaged in more than 1 place can it still be repaired?

Yes but there will be a cold spot.

 

[CCTiling]

Yes but there will be a cold spot.

Thanks Sir Ramic.
I will obviously try to avoid this option. If it takes all of Monday to get the tiles up and area cleaned and probe in, I will be well chuffed!

 

[merlecollins]

If it takes all of Monday to get the tiles up and area cleaned and probe in, I will be well chuffed!

Ahhh no, not another classic case of forgotten probe:mad2::lol:

Like the lads say it would have been a great deal easier if you had levelled the cables before tiling, but spilt milk and all that......

Your multimaster should get you down at least 15mm if you've got the diamond wheel and as Neale says i would be inclined to run the grinder around the tile to weaken it before smashing (gently) with a mash hammer - if you've solid bed fixed the addy should support the cables to a certain extent. It might pay hyou to get a couple of repair kits at the ready, they're not crackers money and if you don't use them take them back:smilewinkgrin:

What make of cables are they?

 

[CCTiling]

Ahhh no, not another classic case of forgotten probe:mad2::lol:

Like the lads say it would have been a great deal easier if you had levelled the cables before tiling, but spilt milk and all that......

Your multimaster should get you down at least 15mm if you've got the diamond wheel and as Neale says i would be inclined to run the grinder around the tile to weaken it before smashing (gently) with a mash hammer - if you've solid bed fixed the addy should support the cables to a certain extent. It might pay hyou to get a couple of repair kits at the ready, they're not crackers money and if you don't use them take them back:smilewinkgrin:

What make of cables are they?

Yeah it is a solid bed so I'm hoping when breaking the tiles up they will come away from the adhesive and leave the wire bedded under the adhesive. I've used warm-up loose wire which is taped down onto hardibacker

 

[merlecollins]

Yeah it is a solid bed so I'm hoping when breaking the tiles up they will come away from the adhesive and leave the wire bedded under the adhesive

I hope they do for you mate Let us know how you get on tomorrow night:smilewinkgrin:

 

[DHTiling]

Most UFH comps will send you a repair kit out FREE.. so please do phone the UFH tech line before you smash the tiles up..