self made problem needs your help, please!

[StevenBarn]

Dear Tiler'sForums folks,
I wonder if someone can help me with a problem (self-made!).
I recently used Unibond floor levelling compound to protect the wiring in an under floor heating mat. My plan was to do this and then use a flexible tile adhesive to tile onto the compound with. HOWEVER, I didn't realise that the floor lev compound should ALSO be the flexible/latex kind and so unfortunately I used the regular Unibond product. (i.e. non-flexi)
I have not switched the heat mat on yet, but I have been told that the compound will soon crack when I do, so I wonder if anyone has any ideas to help me out of this predicament? Is there a product which I can apply that would dissolve/loosen the compound without, of course, damaging the heating mat? Or should i switch the mat on and when the compound cracks, maybe the heating mat can be retrieved and re-laid (or, at least the wiring, as I'm sure the matting will get messed up) Or maybe, when it cracks I could cover it up with the correct flexi/latex compound and see if that works? (or will it just keep cracking?) If anyone can help I will be extremely grateful. Many thanks in anticipation of your replies, Steven Barn

 

[DHTiling]

Hello Steven and welcome..

Afraid it is a boo boo... replace is my advice steven..

 

[Ian]

No way round it I'm afraid, you'll need to start again. Any help you need with product selection, just ask. Welcome along to the forum.

 

[CCTiling]

Welcome Steven. Sorry to hear about your prob. As above though....rip out and start again.

 

[Mike]

the mat may not be as expensive as you think. i replaced a warm up one recently (tiles had failed , laid by previous 'tiler') i was quoted £250 for the same warm up one but bought a compatible from u-heat for £120

 

[Rich]

Welcome to the forum.

Oh dear, I bet you said some naughty words.

As above Im afraid, there is no way around it that I can see.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Hi and:welcome:

 

[White Room]

Hi and welcome..

 

[diamondtiling]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[paul damian]

welcome to the forum steven, its not what u wanted to hear i bet!

 

[Ajax123]

leave it for about 28 days then switch on the heating. allow it to crack. check for delamination and if it does then you nhave to replace. if it stays solid ten you could repair the cracks with a flexible epoxy

 

[Dan]

Welcome aboard. I was just going to say something along the lines of Ajax there. Surely if you left it as is, and then switched it on, it's crack almost exactly where the cable is, therefore you may be able to pull it all up without damage (though with lots of patience) which'll save you your heating mat. Then just do what you can to ge the rest of the compound up and start again. You'd have only lost your bags of levelling compound then.

Either way, post us some before and after shots and you'll get a sticker for your fridge for being good. - we love pics here.

 

[Brinkley]

sticker DAN ???
I like stickers

 

[StevenBarn]

Thanks everyone, for your replies - I did type out a reply before but not sure if i deleted before sending it! last night i managed to get the wiring out of the compound, in one piece and today i managed to scrape the compound off of the ekoboards, so i am going to give it another shot....and get it right this time! this forum is excellent. i have never been on an 'online community' and wasn't expecting any replies! All the best and thanks again, S.

 

[Max@ableskills]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have had a lucky escape. Hope all goes well this time