Drilling into a hydronics/radiant slab.

[GSSFC]

I was wondering if there is anyway to safely drill into a concrete slab that has hydronics tubing in it. I was wondering if you would be possible to use thermal imaging technology to try and "see" the warm pipes if the concrete were allowed to cool for a couple of days.

Any other ideas, I would like to install a couple of things that require anchors but no way I am going to drill into the floor blind.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Tim

 

[Steve in Mi]

Suggestions;

If you lightly moisten the floor surface and turn up the heat won't the drying pattern show up the pex trail?

If the floor is already sealed then I would try establishing the pex layout using an IR laser pointer non contacting thermometer while increasing temperature to set up a possible gradient on the surface.

 

[Junkman]

Thermal imaging will work, but finding someone to come to do it is going to be difficult and expensive. Ask the contractor that installed the piping if there is a way that he knows to find the tubes. I can't see this as being something that they haven't already experienced in the past..

 

[rsanter]

I work for a utility and we have a 'tool lending library' where we will loan tools to customers in our area (for use in energy efficiency audits)
one of the things we have for loan is a thermal imager and an IR temp gun.
there are also some cities that have these tool lending programs as well.
do a search in you local area starting with the utilities and the city

bob

 

[tdkkart]

I also would think that a mist of water on the floor while the system is heating should show up something. Want to see it quicker, you might try methanol or rubbing alcohol, something that evaporates quickly.
Come to think of it, I have some methanol, I might try it myself on my floor.............

 

[livewire]

A friend of mine thats a fireman was able to bring over a thermal imaging device and it worked awesome to see the tubes.

 

[lh4x4]

IR temp guns are about $50 at Harbor Frieght. I got one and it works as well as the $180 one that I use at work.

 

[Torque1st]

Flammable solvents... -Might not be a good idea. We don't want to be reading about an explosion or someone overcome by fumes in the morning paper.