Warmup UFH 1.8mm cable - does it need levelling compound?

[vala]

Hi all,
I'm in the process of getting all set up for a first floor refurbishment on my property which includes the installation of electric underfloor heating in wetroom.
I've come across a loose wire system from Warmup and it mentions the wire is 1.8mm thick and you can apply tile adhesive straight on top, removing the need for a self levelling compound.
I've read a number of threads on here which mention applying a self levelling compound but haven't come across one yet which doesn't.
Has anyone ever used this product and not used a self levelling compound before the tile adhesive?

 

[Dan]

To be honest, applying the SLC doesn't add to the height really. And it encases the cables and stops you snagging them when you trowel over it with adhesive. So for peace of mind, it's always wise.

You need to make sure your stat is outside the wetoom and that you're using the floor probe only, not room sensor (as the sensor wont be in the room).

What floor surface (substrate) are you tiling to? Is it wood or concrete or something else?

 

[Just Rizzle]

after going to shluters demo at darlo ctd I would go with there system stick down there ufh ditra system insert there ufh then tile over check it out on there web site Schluter Systems - Homepage - Schluter-Systems

 

[vala]

Dan - I thought/read that you should really add ~10mm on top of the thickness of the cable (in this case 2mm)?
Yes, plan is for the stat to be in the landing area, which is on the other side of the partition wall to the wetroom. This area, along with the bedrooms will also have underfloor heating.
It's on the first floor and is a wooden substrate. I'll be ripping up the floor I expose the joists on to which I'll first reboard with ply, then apply a tile backer board for which the UFH then tiles will go on to.
In the other areas I'll use insulation boards before fitting the UFH then engineered wood flooring.

Ray - I'll take a look into that product you mention.

 

[Just Rizzle]

Dan - I thought/read that you should really add ~10mm on top of the thickness of the cable (in this case 2mm)?
Yes, plan is for the stat to be in the landing area, which is on the other side of the partition wall to the wetroom. This area, along with the bedrooms will also have underfloor heating.
It's on the first floor and is a wooden substrate. I'll be ripping up the floor I expose the joists on to which I'll first reboard with ply, then apply a tile backer board for which the UFH then tiles will go on to.
In the other areas I'll use insulation boards before fitting the UFH then engineered wood flooring.

Ray - I'll take a look into that product you mention.

ive laid every electric ufh system there is and the schluter really impressed me and that takes some doing believe me. there website has a calculator to help u get the exact system required

 

[Dan]

Warmup's fine. Don't worry about it.

You're only encasing the cable so you don't trowel over / through it during troweling adhesive. And to ensure it doesn't rise, like it might in wet adhesive. It's quite a skilled job to tile over cable and not damage it. And trust me, you use more adhesive than usual.

How much room have you got to play with?

 

[vala]

Dan - apologies for the delay in getting back to you. Been busy with work.
The area of the bathroom is 2.2m2.

 

[Dan]

I mean depth. Can you increase the floor by a few MM?

 

[Andy Allen]

I don't bother latexing small floors just tile over them. I use bal single part fast flex and bal wide joint grout with gt1 admix.
I use a plastic trowel designed for tiling over the wire to help prevent damage remember to back butter the tiles...I've done loads of small bathroom floors this way and never had a problem.

 

[Old Mod]

Like Andy, I've done lots of small floors this way, as long as ur diligent it will be fine.
The only thing I'd add is that remember to make sure u encase all the cabling in adhesive.
Exposed to air pockets, the cable can overheat, I believe.

 

[Dave]

I,always SLC over UFH .. It can help with the heat distribution having a full encapsulation ....

Schluters Ditra heat is a good system but very pricey compared to the hundreds of brands on the market and no ones fitted them all lol lol lol...

 

[Dan]

Yeah never ever leave cable uncovered! They do burn out and it can be quite a serious affair on top of wooden floors etc

I'd SLC that small floor. No point messing around in a tiny room trying to not knock the cable with your feet while you're tiling, and trying to keep the cable down.

Just IMO.

 

[p4ulo]

I did my own floor with this very stuff, and as said by nearly everyone, its so much easier to SLC after laying I don't know why you wouldn't. Just remember to leave a nice wide gap around where the toilet will be positioned, and no wires underneath where any furniture might go (under a sink unit for example).
I took a picture of the wires all laid before laying SLC which I'll print out for future reference, also, don't forget to put the sensor in a small length of hose / trunking so you can withdraw it to replace it if it fails.
Good luck.

 

[Dan]

Yea the sensor tip is a massive biggy!

 

[vala]

I'll follow the advice and go with the SLC after laying the wires. My toilet and basin are both floating, is it ok to just lay the EUFH under these area?
I'm fitting EUFH to the landing and areas of the 2 bedrooms so my sensor will more then likely be in the landing area as that's were the thermostat will be.
I'm planning on laying warmup insulation boards on top of some ply (which will be on top of the joists), I assume laying SLC before fitting the wood flooring will also be a wise move?