What are the Steps for Installing Underfloor Heating over a Concrete Floor?

Although introducing underfloor heating is an amazing approach to uplifting the overall style and value of your property, it is now more affordable for many people who want to keep their houses warm. Heat distributes uniformly in all directions, making it a far more effective and efficient method of heating the house. Thus, installing underfloor heating may be done for a variety of reasons, such as:

• To warm up chilly areas

• Conserve space

• Simply to feel comfortable under your foot

Further, it may be installed beneath a wide range of surfaces, including stone, wood, laminate, and carpet, making it incredibly adaptable. However, it works exceptionally well with concrete floors to provide warmth to houses, buildings, and other structures. Moreover, it is ideal for older buildings that still have concrete floors. After all, it eliminates the necessity to lay new concrete and remove the existing layer.

So, whether you own a residence or a commercial place, it is of paramount importance to be acquainted with the steps associated with the installation of underfloor heating.

8 Steps to Install Underfloor Heating over a Concrete Floor

1. Perform a Thorough Inspection

Examining the various choices available for your underfloor heating system is essential if you want to properly:

• Schedule the installation process

• Estimate costs

• Determine how long it will take

Also, make sure your house is completely insulated, including the insulation in the:

• Walls

• Ceiling

• Windows

Inadequate insulation and draughty windows will make it impossible to reduce energy costs. Besides, your underfloor heating system will not function as efficiently as it should, and heat will also escape through the property’s roof. Further, you must check that the current concrete floor is stable and free of fractures. Remember that it might require replacement or repair if it is not smooth. 

You may also check whether the floor is dry and free of oil after cleaning to get rid of any residues of dust and debris. Additionally, make sure you have all the tools you’ll need to finish the job before you begin.

2. Prepare the Flooring

Water underfloor heating and electric underfloor heating are the two types of underfloor heating systems. Here, we will examine a conventional water system installation, also known as a wet system installation. For that…

First and foremost, remove the room’s doors and skirting boards. Because of the new, higher floor level, they must be modified before being replaced. In addition, it is necessary to place insulating boards over the ready mix concrete floor before installing any pipes.

 

Check out: What is Floor Screeding and How To Screed A Floor?

 

3. Cut the Boards

The installation of insulation boards on the floor is a need. It is important to make sure the boards fit tightly against the interior walls. Typically, polystyrene or polyurethane, which can be cut easily with a sharp knife, are used to make insulation boards.

Also, insulating board tape can be used to seal any spaces that exist between the boards. If there are no insulating boards, the concrete floor below will absorb most of the heat, and very little will reach the surface.

4. Install an Edging Strip

It is essential to add an edging strip, also called a perimeter strip, to the boundaries of the floor space. In addition to providing expansion, it serves as a thermal barrier, keeping heat from escaping through the walls. It also ensures that when the screed is placed, the insulating boards at the edges do not move.

It is advised to cover the insulation boards with a plastic slip membrane. Why? Because a final screed of sand and cement will cover and secure all the pipes.

5. Use a Pipe Layout Drawing

When installing wet underfloor heating on an already-existing concrete floor, it is best to work using a pipe layout drawing. The UFH kit providers can supply free CAD drawings, or if you have the skills, you can design the layout yourself. 

When using electric underfloor heating, mats are pre-attached with heating wires and may be easily rolled out across the floor. On the other hand, you might need to work a little more for wet underfloor heating. For example, you have to lay the water pipes at proper spacing. Further, it is normally between 150 and 250 mm, depending on the type of heat source.

6. Install Underfloor Heating

• Moreover, make sure the pipework is securely fastened with staples that are inserted into the insulating boards at intervals of one metre. 

• Keep in mind that the pipes must be connected to the manifold in this step.

• For every loop, identify each pipe with a flow number and a return number. 

• This pump and manifold component is where every pipe starts and ends. 

• Besides, it is the control zone in which flow levels are adjusted by connecting each pipe to a valve.

7. Floating Screed

Pressure testing of the system is recommended to prevent leaks after connecting all the pipes to the manifold. For this, you have to use a floating screed, a mixture of cement and sharp sand. Apart from providing support for the finished floor covering, it serves as an insulator. This should have a thickness of 65 to 75 mm. Moreover, the pipes should be maintained at a 6-bar pressure while the screed is being laid prior to mixing and laying.

• To make the screed more workable, combine the dry screed mix with plasticizer and water. 

• When applying the screed over the top, be cautious not to step on the piping.

• Using a finishing trowel, work the screed in between the pipes, guaranteeing that every pipe segment is sufficiently covered to the same depth. 

• However, before using the trowel to level and tamp the screed, level it with a wooden batten or other straight edge.

8. Add a Floor Covering

The final covering of your choice can be laid once the floor screed surface has completely dried. The best option is ceramic and stone because of their extremely high thermal conductivity, which makes them perfect for underfloor heating systems. 

• Solid, engineered, and linoleum woods are rated as having a high heat transmission level.

• Carpets and rugs are categorised as having medium conductivity.

Bottom Line

By now, your underfloor heating on the concrete floor should be ready to go! 

After turning on the system, you ought to start seeing the benefits of your underfloor heating in a matter of minutes. Besides, it is one of the best types of floor heating systems that have captured the attention of the majority of homeowners. Even investors and builders are launching this new feature in all residential and commercial areas to accelerate their property value. So, follow our guidelines if you want to take advantage of it to improve the atmosphere in your house.

 

Looking for ready mix concrete to create a sturdy foundation for underfloor heating? Contact our team at Pro-Mix Concrete to attain the best quality concrete.

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