Is your underfloor heating not working? Underfloor heating, if properly installed, is a low-maintenance, energy-efficient option that offers a uniform distribution of radiant warmth. High-quality systems like LESSO Floor Heating Pipes are built to last for years of everyday usage, so it’s disappointing to spend money on underfloor heating, and it breaks down.
The most common faults with floor heating pipes occur during layout designing and installation phases. Engaging a skilled expert to customize and install your system is vital. The heating cabling or piping is installed mainly in the screed layer or under the floor surface, making the whole system highly reliable and delivering the best operational results.
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Top 6 common mistakes to avoid while installing the underfloor heating system:
Lack of Proper Designing and Paperwork
A heating system installation can be dangerous if it is not appropriately planned. In the case of underfloor heating, the design and configuration of the heating pipes must be tailored to the heating system’s water supply, concrete thickness, floor covering type, and heat requirement. An absence of comprehensive paperwork escalates maintenance expenses and promotes heating system breakdown.
Pipes in Looping Are Poorly Coupled
The so-called heating circuit is made up of heating pipes, the length of which must not exceed 100 m depending on the diameter of the pipes installed. As a result, ensure that the technician does not build extended heating loops during setup. It is also important to supervise the length of the pipe in a loop.
To avoid heating issues, the pipes should be chosen in such a way that no interconnections are made in concreting areas. These are the most sensitive points as dust quickly accumulates, leading to problems. If the guidelines are not followed, the hydraulic resistance increases, resulting in unsatisfactory floor heating.
Poor Protection of The Heating Pipes
The water-carrying heating pipes must be securely fastened to the ground. To proceed, add a special pipe-positioning covering with an anchoring web on top of the polystyrene covering. The pipes are then attached to the foil with the fasteners included with the underfloor heating system kit. If the pipes are not carefully anchored, they may get disconnected from the ground when the screed is being poured over them. Furthermore, if the unit has copper elements, pipes must not be installed directly on concrete since they would corrode. Copper pipes must always be shielded with an extra layer of plastic.
Picking the Wrong Floor Covering
Sadly, not all materials are suitable for covering the floor if we opt to install an underfloor heating system. As a result, one of the most important issues when it comes to installing hydronic underfloor heating is which material is optimum. The type of floor covering used determines the heating performance. For example, switching from ceramic tiling to floor panels reduces heating performance by two times, causing difficulties in sustaining the pre-set temperature when the external temperature drops.
No Pressure Test or Poor Assessment
Before pouring the concrete, the pipeline must be pumped with water to ensure that the pressure has not fallen dramatically after a couple of hours or maybe a day. Detecting leaks and fixing them is much simpler before concreting them. When all heating circuits are filled with water, the pressure test must be performed. Usually, installers skip this step or fill the pipes using air instead of water. Poor pressure assessment can lead to serious operational issues in the future. So, every leak must be fixed before screed laying.
Careless Floor Screed
Placing the heating pipes in concrete is one of the final stages in installing an underfloor heating system. It is essential to supervise the operation to avoid damage to the heating piping or filling the gaps or expansion joints. Make sure to cover the floor only after properly curing the concrete to achieve the best heating results. However, one must not dry the screed quickly. After around 21 days, warm the screed to eliminate any leftover moisture.
Conclusion
Installing underfloor heating is an excellent choice for individuals who prioritize luxury and comfort. It is crucial to keep in mind that only a well-designed and reliable system will guarantee the desired outcomes. Mistakes committed during the installation of an underfloor heating system degrade not only the performance but also reduce the life span of the system. At last, if you want to enjoy a warm floor for years, then grab LESSO Floor Heating Pipes for tested solutions, qualified installers, and incredible product quality.