How To Install Water-type Floor Heating Pipes

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Concept
• Snail scheme
• "Snake"
• Combined method
• Pipe-laying technologies
• Conclusion

Often, after a hot shower, I had to step on a cold tile. This is certainly not pleasant to anyone. This situation can even occur in the kitchen or in other areas of the home. The floor covering will not play a role here. You can avoid such a problem if you properly arrange a warm water floor system. The most important thing in this situation is to choose the correct system for laying heating devices in order to enjoy the result during operation.

Concept

Underfloor heating belongs to one of the systems due to which a room in a house or apartment is heated. The main feature is that all heating elements are mounted in the floor space. This option allows you to fully use the space in the room, and also not to spoil its aesthetic appearance.

Before starting to consider a water floor heating system, you should decide on the device of a water heating system using classic radiators. After heating, the air rises rapidly. Consequently, it definitely does not fall on the body, especially on the floor. The bulk of the heat will be located near the radiators themselves, as well as in the ceiling area.

Warm water floor allows you to cope with all these problems. All heat begins to rise from the floor, therefore, the legs and the whole body of a person initially heat up. Almost no heat reaches the ceiling. In addition, all heating elements are evenly distributed over the entire surface of the room. The height of the heat content will be approximately 2 meters.

It is this option that will be the most comfortable for a person. The feet will always be on a warm surface, which will not allow heat to be lost through the feet.

Despite the fact that the cost of installing a water heating option, in comparison with an electric one, is noticeably higher, the operation process is much more economical. In addition, a water heat-insulated floor can act as the main source of heat in a room, which an electric analogue cannot boast of. After all, the price of electricity is much higher than the cost of the liquid flowing through the pipeline.

Snail scheme

Otherwise, this layout of the pipeline in the warm floor is called a spiral. It belongs to the number of economical options that are efficient in terms of heat transfer from the method of laying pipes for underfloor heating.

The popularity is constantly increasing and the demand is growing.

Installation of pipes is carried out around the perimeter of the room, starting from the walls and approaching its central part. The radius is thus reduced. The main advantage of such a system is that heat is evenly distributed over the carrier, minimizes heat loss, and also eliminates the likelihood of heat pits in the floor. The pipe spacing can be at least 10 mm, and up to any selected distance. This can also be attributed to positive qualities. From the very beginning of the appearance of the "snail" heating floor installation method, it has not ceased to be considered the most reliable, demanded, and most efficient.

Since during the installation process, the pipes practically do not bend relative to their original position, the work itself does not take much time and does not take up energy. If there is such a desire, then all the work can be done on our own without the involvement of construction crews and unnecessary waste of money.

The option is versatile, since pipes for a warm water floor can be laid in areas of the edge of the room - verandas, street doors, large windows, etc. As soon as a person enters the room from the street, then he finds himself in warmth and comfort. Any areas of rooms, as well as their shapes, can be equipped with a water floor heating system. The number of turns should not be limited to one. You can make several turns with which to go around, for example, a sofa or an installed wardrobe.

Another plus of such a system is that a completely different pitch between pipes can be used in work. It can reach the point that the step will be 10-15 cm. There will be enough heat for the whole room. Even in this case, each square meter of area transmits about 60-65 watts of power. The norm for heating is 45 W. That is, there is a power reserve of almost 50%.

Snake

There are some disadvantages that can be encountered when using the "snake" pipe layout for a warm water floor. The main one is large heat losses due to the fact that the supply of the heat carrier is carried out from one source. By the time it reaches the end of the system, the media will cool down very much. Consequently, heat will be retained only in those areas where the feed flow begins. The hot floor will cool down as you move away from the source.

One of the downsides is the difficult installation process. The pipe can bend up to 180 degrees. In this case, the step between the pipes can be up to 20 cm. In the Snail, it is at least 10 mm. Loss can be reduced by creating a ring at the end of the loop. But then you will have to make even more efforts during the installation process.

A universal step can be considered 15 cm, and if these are edge zones (near walls, near entrance doors) - 10 cm. You can cope with the loss of heat. But then it is necessary to fulfill a kind of system - a double snake. If the room will be heated somewhat better, then the installation process is still labor-intensive. For clarity, you can view the layout of the warm water floor in the drawing.

Often, a snake pipe-laying system is used to align adjacent zones of different contours. Only occasionally for installation in sanitary areas. It will be very problematic to bypass a large number of devices, which can be toilets, sinks and all that. In addition, such rooms are very often of a small area, which also negatively affects the arrangement of the entire scheme of a warm water floor. Here it is better to use the "spiral" styling.

The "snake" is most often performed in the central part of the dwelling room, if the edge zones are cut off. In this case, the temperature distribution is the most optimal and rational. If necessary, some areas that are not necessary for heating can be circled with a warm water floor system.

Combined method

When it is not possible to choose a specific option for the location of pipes in the system, it is best to resort to a combined method of laying a warm water floor.

Here several circuits are demonstrated in one installation. It is even possible to duplicate one of the schemes - a double "snail" or a number of "snakes". But this requires an appropriate layout of the room, which allows you to perform all these actions.

There are certain areas that do not require strong heating. This could be the entrance to the premises. A "snake" is also suitable here, but in the central part of the room - a "snail", since it concentrates all possible energy, which subsequently transfers to people who are on it.

You can combine not only schemes, but also different types of underfloor heating - water and electric. It is not always possible to turn on the central heating and feel comfortable in the summer with damp and humid weather, at low temperatures. It can be turned off and in this case, the autonomous operation of a water heated floor is perfect.

Before the installation itself, it is best to make a schematic sketch of the planned version of the underfloor heating device, where to reflect specific areas for increased heating, highlight insignificant zones and other problematic issues. This will not only allow you to choose a specific option for installing pipes in the underfloor heating system, but also make it possible to install a warm water floor with the greatest efficiency.

Pipe-laying technologies

In addition to the direct location of the pipes of the warm water floor system, it is worth understanding that there are technologies by which the subsequent closure of the entire pipeline for direct use is carried out. Among them are:

• Polystyrene. There is no need for a concrete screed. As a result, a very light construction of the entire heated floor of the water type is obtained, and all installation work is also easier to carry out. Since the thickness of the entire "pie" is reduced, the distance from the ceiling to the floor changes slightly. The entire installation system includes polystyrene boards, which are at the same time an insulating material. This technology will be relevant for rooms with low ceilings, as well as when it is impossible to create a load on the floor.

  

• Rack type of system for wood. Great for installing a warm water floor on the second floor of a house made of wood. The thermal insulation layer is noticeably reduced. A layer of thermal insulation (mineral wool or polystyrene) is laid on the arranged floor beams (lags). In the process of laying boards with a thickness of 28 mm or more, sections (grooves) with a width of 20 mm are left. Aluminum plates are already inserted into the grooves, into which it remains to mount the pipes of the warm water floor system. Rough finishing is carried out with sheets of gypsum fiber board, and finishing is performed.

• Concrete. The rules for laying a warm water floor in such ways must be observed and in no way deviate from the technology. Initially, a heat-insulating layer is also arranged, and a damper tape is attached around the perimeter of the room. We must not forget about the reinforcing components, which are most often presented in the form of a metal mesh. The heating pipe is fixed to the grid with plastic clamps. Some experts recommend placing a layer of reinforcement on top of the laid pipes so that the structure gains greater strength. After checking the entire system for operability and integrity, the concrete screed is poured. Its thickness usually ranges from 3 to 15 cm. It all depends on the specific conditions. Finishing can be started only after the fill is completely dry.

  

• Model type of wood system. On a wooden base, the installation of a warm water floor should be started with a heat-insulating layer. Further, sheets of chipboard are laid, where grooves must be cut for the subsequent placement of heating pipes in them. GVL is laid on top of this "pie", and the flooring of the selected flooring option is made.

Conclusion

Having studied all the methods and technologies for laying pipes in a water-heated floor system, you can pay attention to a specific option. Everything will come from the base of the floor in the room, as well as the selected pipes, their material. At the same time, the area of the room where the heating system is carried out, as well as financial capabilities, will play no small role.

The most versatile method for laying pipes in a warm water floor system is the "snail" method. Here, not only savings appear during operation, but also an even distribution of heat over the entire plane in the room. You don't have to look for a place to step to get warm. This will not be affected by weather conditions, the time of the year, as well as the presence or absence of central heating.

If there is no confidence in the final positive result when the work is carried out for the first time, it is better to contact a specialist who is able to complete everything in a short time and of the highest quality.